A review on Pakistani Rom-Com feature length film, Balu Mahi (2017). The Production House is HKC Entertainment and Distributed by Cinestar.
+ Crew
I. Directed by Haissam Hussain
II. Cinematography by Saleem Daad
III. Written by Saad Azhar
IV. Music by Sahir Ali Bagga
V. Produced by Sadia Jabbar, M. Ashraf Chaudry & M. Arshad Chaudry
+ Note
Balu Mahi is similar to the fame Bollywood film, Veer Zaara (2004) that is the names of the two lead characters of this film.
The dances are choreographed by Pappu Samrat while art direction by Waqas Saleem. The makeup & hair styling is done by Sumayya Majeed and production design by Iqbal Mughal. The film is edited by Rizwan A.Q.
International Distributor is Grand Showbiz Media. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sang a Qawwali titled ‘Rang De Chunar’ as well as the film stars such as Javed Shaikh & Adeel Hashmi have cameo appearances.
+ Main Cast
1. Osman Khalid Butt as Bilaal “Balu”
2. Ainy Jaffri as Mahi Jahangir
3. Sadaf Kanwal as Sharmeen
4. Shafqat Cheema as Baba / Daada
5. Durdana Butt as Daadi
+ Plot
When a young man crashes the wrong wedding, the bride seizes the opportunity to make a run for it and together they attempt to evade her overbearing grandfather.
+ High Points
i – Osman Khalid Butt performance as Balu was very appealing on-screen. He unquestionably raised eye brows of many people due to his naturalistic performance. As far as Ainy Jaffri is concerned, she attracted the majority of the audience to herself. Ainy Jafri as Mahi would blow you away with her charming performance. Other Honorable Mentions: Sadaf Kanwal, Durdana Butt, Shafqat Cheema and Javed Shaikh.
ii – The chemistry between the two lead stars was simply magical on big screen. The blazing chemistry between them would make the audience to ask for more. This is one of the key points for success of the film.
iii – The audience is in for a ride due to great ‘Visuals Treat’ with terrific lighting and foggy background that made us believe perhaps we live in a fantastical world. Lahore looked stunning to feast your eyes on.
iv – The art direction is mind blowing! We are able to see such etiquette art work, luxurious furniture with colorful backgrounds and scenery.
v – As for makeup & hair styling, they did an incredible job for adorable looks with their stars, especially Sadaf Kanwal and Ainy Jafri.
vi – Although, the songs are good to listen to but their dances were well choreographed comparable to Bollywood style.
vii – Sex based humor with representative meaning which are not vulgar for the family audience and can be enjoyed easily.
viii – The comic relief by respected Durdana Butt and Shafqat Cheema was well put.
ix – The costume design department did a superb job in representing desirable wardrobe for Sadaf Kanwal and Ainy Jaffri according to the theme of the film.
x – The locations shown in the film, especially northern areas is a good promo to attract tourists and audience alike by watching the real beauty of Pakistan.
+ Low Points
i – The 1st half is basically Jab We Met (2007) Bollywood film while the 2nd half is Dil Bole Hadippa (2009) another Bollywood film. The film entire concept and story is heavily influenced by these two Bollywood films as mentioned above.
It is really sad to see that the writer has failed to come up with their original concept and story for this film. Even the characters written of Osman and Ainy are almost the same that of Shahid & Kareena from the film, Jab We Met.
ii – Balu Mahi shows that in a realistic world, we have several unrealistic and highly unlikely situations that the two lead actors face such as offered to do music dance video unexpectedly while trying to hide away from some people who are after them.
The lead characters already knew their dance steps to perform with group in the music video that very moment.
iii – Why do you need to do toilet humor in a film like this? Though, the gross-out humor does not take leverage to make the film an enjoyable one.
iv – Throughout the film, it is filled with clichés including the end.
v – It was a huge turn off to see such a beautiful actress in manly facial hair in second half of the film.
vi – People who were in extras, seemed to be concerned with their lives only as the viewers do not see any reactions from them when a young couple running away in panic / doing awkward activity / shouting in such a crowded area.
+ Overall
Balu Mahi has enough charm to mark a successful entry in Pakistani film industry for the times to come.
Rate: 3.50 out of 5 stars
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