Month: October 2020

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on Soch (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Drama-Movement theatre play, Soch (2018). It was performed at NAPA International Theatre Festival 2018.

+ Crew

  • Written & Directed by Bazelah Mustafa
  • Lighting by Aisha Bukhtiyar
  • Music by Masood ur Rehman
  • Produced by Bee M Productions

+ Note

Soch is an exploration of acknowledging the agony but welcoming contentment. Traumas do not spare anyone but when examination over the sufferings in life becomes continuous, one usually ignores the happiness around. It is a collection of distressing life experiences and the aspiration of euphoria.

+ Performers

  1. Bazelah Mustafa
  2. Shahrukh Arif
  3. Sheraz Jhakrani
  4. Umer Arshad
  5. Hunain Kamaal
  6. Asfand Yar
  7. Ahad Tauqeer
  8. Danish Irshad
  9. Waqar Nadeem
  10. Wasay Qureshi
  11. Rehan Nazim
  12. Gaizan Abbas
  13. Saqib Ali
  14. Raam Govind
  15. Kiran Siddiqui
  16. Raheel Siddiqui
  17. Asma Noor

 

+ Plot
It’s the expression of broken souls and sore bodies. Don’t murder your dreams but make them come true.

+ High Points
i – Great direction by multi-talented star, Bazelah Mustafa. In this play too, she had not only directed but written, choreographed and performed as well. She is no doubt, a valuable star for our theatre world.

ii – Splendidly written screenplay by Bazelah; making the scenes very interesting. Since this is a movement play, so your interest level could now be focused only on the screenplay and performances.

iii – The performance given by Bazelah Mustafa was not only the best out of the lot but it clearly showed that her body language was the most flexible and suitable for such movement plays. Bazelah’s bold performance on several occasions throughout the play has made the audience eager to see more of her performances in her upcoming projects.

iv – Gaizan Abbas bought pleasant humor in his effective performance as one of the drug addicts. Other Honorable Mentions: Hunain Kamaal, Waqar Nadeem and Asma Noor.

v – The humor level supersedes when it comes to a serious play like Soch. And it suits well with the characters that portrayed them.

vi – Good dance choreography during its musical sequences.

vii – Excellent use of the body movement and the use of its creativity such as family tree, playground scene, clock and many more.

viii – The lighting was efficiently controlled and executed.

+ Low Points
i – Most of the daring and more interesting roles were performed by Bazelah Mustafa. It would be recommended if next time it is more properly distributed, give other performers the chance to prove themselves worthy so that they could highlight themselves as well.

ii – The play would have been unforgettable for the times to come if there were stronger performers in this 17 performers’ play.

+ Overall
Soch is a daring, sensational and graceful hit play which has been produced in a long time.

Rate: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on Do Tone (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on a foreign Dance-Movement theatre play, Do Tone (2018). It was performed in NAPA International Theatre Festival 2018.

+ Performers & Musicians

  1. Katrin Schafitel
  2. Gergely Lukacs
  3. Sascha Luer
  4. Simon Otto
  5. Sunil Shanker
  6. Fawad Khan
  7. Kulsoom Aftab
  8. Umair Rafiq
  9. Raheel Siddiqui

+ Note

Do Tone is a Dance + Music + Audience play (literally without a plot). It is an art form that reacts spontaneously to the current circumstances in able to work with them. A trio of the most prominent artists from Germany, Switzerland and Pakistan have worked in this project.

+ High Points
i – Aside the German performers, we have great stars like Sunil Shankar, Fawad Khan, Kulsoom Aftab in the performers’ lineup for us theatre lovers to come and watch the play.

ii – The music is nicely played by the German musicians. It kept the mood going.

iii – The lighting is effectively handled.

iv – Kartin Schafitel was able to bring smiles to the audience faces in the end.

+ Low Points
i – Is this is a joke? I mean, really? It seems that NAPA management is playing with the people, such as pulling our legs to see who falls for these kinds of dull plays? Just to check out the audience tolerance level.

Afterwards, they are going to say, “See, we are just kidding. we do have very good quality plays like the one we performed in last year’s festival. do ignore these, as we were just testing you only”.

ii – A play without any directions or knowing where its headed to?

iii – Waste of talented stars in this dance play.

+ Overall
Do Tone is easily a forgettable play, where there’s only little to admire here.

Rate: 1.0 out of 5 stars

Feature Length Films

Mr. Khan’s Review on Lahore Se Aagey (2016)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Comedy feature film, Lahore Se Aagey (2016). The Production House is Showcase Productions while its Distributor is ARY Films.

 

 

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Wajahat Rauf
  • Cinematography by Asrad Khan
  • Written by Yasir Hussain
  • Produced by Wajahat Rauf, Salman Iqbal & Asfand Farouk

 

 

 

 

 

+ Note

Lahore Se Aagey is a sequel of Karachi Se Lahore (2015). The character of “Moti” became so popular in it that he is bought back in as the lead role for this film. There are several minor roles appearances of different stars including of Hasan Rizvi, Atiqa Odho, Erum Bashir, Komal Rizvi, and Ali Zafar.

 

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Yasir Hussain as Moti
  2. Saba Qamar as Tara Ahmed
  3. Mubashir Malik as Ali
  4. Rubina Ashraf as Farah
  5. Behroze Sabzwari as Mamu

+ Plot

It centers on Tara who is a rock star but her fiancée does not agree with her dream goals. In their temporary break up, she meets Moti who is being chased by two bandits. As they both try to save their lives, during their journey Farah and Moti fall for each other.

 

 

+ High Points

i – Both of the lead stars, Saba Qamar and Yasir Hussain performed very well on screen. It helped the film to gain interest for the audience as they watched their unusual yet good chemistry. Other Honorable Mentions: Behroze Sabzwari.

ii – The cinematography is good with the scenery shots are well taken with promoting the beauty of our great nation.

iii – The makeover & hair-styling and slim physique of Saba Qamar made her gorgeous to look at.

iv – The screenplay, its humor throughout the film is funny and enjoyable.

v – The minor role of Ali Zafar is a good induction in the film.

 

 

+ Low Points

i – There is no proper structure of storytelling. There are scenes which are totally irrelevant and unrelated with the film’s plot.

ii – In Act III, the character of Behroze Sabzwari and Rubina Ashraf becomes so rubbish and idiotic just like its weak script.

iii – The script is so badly written that the construction of its story telling is just a forgettable one.

iv – Most of the things happening in the film are highly illogical and impractical. I don’t want to give away its spoilers but the questions would arise as why is this happening? or what’s the point of showing this’? really, i am telling you just… don’t ask!

v – Karachi Se Lahore (2015) showed too many product placements which was very annoying to watch. Similarly, in Lahore Se Aagey repeats the same mistake twice.

vi – Good mimicry does make one smile or even laugh however this technique is highly over used by weak writers to fill in a supporting comic character. The Big B mimicry was good in this film but this is not a creative way to bring humor in your work. Don’t pick the easy way out. Instead, work on your writing skills.

+ Overall

Since, Lahore se Aagey, never takes itself too seriously and ends up being a good time pass.

 

 

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

 

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on Taleem-e-Balighan (1956/66 and 1973)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani Classic Comedy Drama TV series, Taleem-e-Balighan aka Education for Adults (1956/66 and 1973). In 1966, it’s Production House and its Distributor is PTV Network (Lahore Studio) and PTV Network (Karachi Studio) in 1973.

 

 

 

 

+ Crew

  • Directed by Agha Nasir
  • Written by Khawaja Moinuddin
  • Lighting by M. Sabir and Javid Iqbal
  • Makeup by Afzal Ahmed & Zahid Sheikh
  • Production Design by Badar-Ul-Islam Syed

 

 

 

 

 

+ Note

Taleem-e-Balighan aired on PTV Network in 1966. In total, it consists of 02 episodes. This limited TV series was originally written for the Radio Pakistan in 1956 before the introduction of TV broadcasts in Pakistan in November 1964. This classic TV series is a social satire theatre play shot for TV as a mini-series.

It is based on Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s or Quaid-e-Azam’s three principles of ‘unity, faith and discipline’, which became an inspiring and effective slogan for the Muslim masses during the Pakistan Movement days around 1947.

Taleem-e-Balighan’s remake was directed & produced in 1973*. The late actor, Qazi Wajid is the only returning star who plays the role of the Maulvi Sahab in it. It was telecasted as one-episode TV serial.

This two-episode mini-series is considered a classic by some of the critics. 

 

 

*The given year is not confirmed.

 

  

 

+ Main Cast

  1. Mahmood Ali as Maulvi Sahib
  2. Qazi Wajid as Hajab (Barber)
  3. Subhani Ba Yunus as Qasab (Butcher)

 

 

 

xxxxxxx

 

 

 

+ Supporting Cast

  1. Qasim Jalali as Dhobi (Student) #3
  2. Bakhtiar Ahmad as Victoria Wala (Student) #4
  3. Sheikh Mahmood as Malwari (Student) #5
  4. Sheikh Ali Ahmed as Doodh Wala (Student) #6
  5. Razia Sultana as Maulvi Sahib’s Wife (Voice)

 

 

 

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

 

 

+ Crew (Remake)

  • Directed & Produced by Tasneem Aslam
  • Written by Khawaja Moinuddin
  • Title Graphics by PTV Studio (KHI)
  • Makeup by Aijaz Khan, Shakir Ahmed & Imran Ahmed
  • Production Design by Munza Ejaz

 

xxxxxxx

 

 

+ Main Cast (Remake)

  1. Qazi Wajid as Maulvi Sahib
  2. Behroze Sabzwari as Hajab (Barber)
  3. Shahzad Raza as Qasab (Butcher)

 

 

 

xxxxxxx

 

 

+ Supporting Cast (Remake)

  1. Ayaz Khan as Shagird (Hot Tempered Student) #3
  2. Sajid Shah as Victoria Wala (Student) #4
  3. Ayum as Malwari (Student) #5
  4. Famid Ahmed Khan as Doodh Wala (Student) #6
  5. N/A as Maulvi Sahib’s Wife (Voice)

 

 

 

 

+ Plot

It focuses around a Madrassa (school) where adults are provided an education in a satirical and humorous environment.

 

 

 

 

+ High Points

i – The writing highlights Quaid-e-Azam’s three principles of ‘Faith, Unity and Discipline’. These three principles are shown through their respectable POV for the audience to understand of bringing the betterment of our educational system and social welfare from their current weak status to a successful rank of the country’s establishment. Its mild humor keeps the interest level of the audience at bay.  

ii – A careful direction of photography is required for which scenes to be shot up close or from a medium angle. This helped in understanding that certain scene’s crucial moment or defining the features of a character, being described as untidy. The original TV series work is much superior.

iii – Subhani Ba Yunus as Butcher, plays as one of the best roles of a grown-up student. The number of times he is hit by the broom of his headmaster, no student is. His character’s realistic performance of agonizing in pain, laying out his dagger on being threatened and singing scenes, will definitely glue the attention of the viewers to their screens till the very end of this classic TV mini-series.  

iv – Mahmood Ali as Maulvi Sahib, who is the teacher of these aged students. He plays as the most remarkable and the most memorable role of his career. Mahmood brings smiles on the viewers’ faces with his uncanny timing humor and utter nonsense examples on the unheard idioms that the Maulvi Sahib is unfamiliar of. Other Honorable Mentions: Qazi Wajid (as Barber).

v – The three lead stars for the original as well as the remake, attracts the viewers to watch this TV series in the first place.

vi – The songs are mesmerizing and good to listen to. 

 

 

 

 

+ Low Points

i – Honestly, I had my expectations really high from this limited TV series. I read the praises a lot and wanted to know its specialty by finally watching it.  

ii – The remake comes nowhere close to the original release’s success in almost every department, whether it is the cinematography or the performances.  

 

 

 

 

 

+ Overall
Khawaja Moinuddin’s Taleem-e-Balighan, is one of the important works that is ever written for the silver screen.

 

 

 

 

Rate: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Theatre Plays

Mr. Khan’s Review on Resurrection (2018)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Foreign Drama-Movement theatre play, Resurrection (2018). It is a dance ritual on breathlessness, passion, oneness and survival.

+ Note

Resurrection is dedicated to all those who lost their lives due to oppressive systems. Made with original music, the piece includes a poetic monologue written in English & Arabic. The piece was created and developed over the course of 10 years and it reached its current performativity form in 2016-17.

This play was triggered by the collective death of 50 theatre artists in the South of Egypt on 5th Sep 2005. The Egyptian state is still to be held responsible for this collective death by means of negligence and disrespect to the theatre community in specific, and disrespect to human dignity in general.

Goethe-Institut has helped greatly in making many of the performances in this 6th International Theatre & Music Festival 2018. Special thanks to other consulates and embassies for their support.

+ Performer

  • Nora Amin

 

 

 

 

+ Plot
A fire took place in a small state theatre venue, and among the deceased was Saleh Saad, who had a vision of his death before this trauma occurred.

+ High Points
i – The lighting behind this tragic play helped with the performance different moments and beats.

ii – The sole performance of Nora Amin is nicely presented.

+ Low Points
i – Since most of the audience are non-Arabic, it would have been preferable for the narrator to tell the intro in English.

ii – The translation of Arabic verses during the performance into English was becoming mixed up, difficult to understand as it was spoken almost side by side.

+ Overall
Resurrection is unquestionably an emotional play for those who were directly or indirectly linked and witness to this the real-life tragic incident that occurred. But the play itself could not sustain to make its mark as to be remembered by with fond memory.

Rate: 1.25 out of 5 stars