TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on Loki (2021)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on American Television miniseries, Loki (2021). The mini-series is created by Michael Waldron and directed by Kate Herron. The show stars Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Owen Wilson and Sophia Di Martino. The show is a continuation of the saga from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is a Disney Plus Original series.

+ Crew

  • Directed by Kate Herron
  • Cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw
  • Music by Natalie Holt
  • Edited by Paul Zucker, Calum Ross and Emma McCleave
  • Created by Michael Waldron
  • Production by Marvel Studios
  • Distributed by Disney Platform Distribution 

+ Note

The concept of Loki TV series was first introduced as a core part of the Phase Four MCU content. Since the success of Loki as a character in The Avengers (2012) and other MCU films, it was clear that Tom Hiddleston might reprise his iconic role and will be explored much more as a stand alone character. The series explores the concept of branching timelines which were first introduced in Avengers: Endgame (2019) where upon “disruption of the pre-planned events”, the past does not change but rather a whole new timeline is introduced. After the disruption of the main timeline by Loki in Avengers: Endgame (2019), the series plays as a redemption arc for the character as he follows through different versions of his own self due to the possibility of different timeline “variants’ “.

After WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki is the third in the Marvel/ Disney Plus series which brought worldwide praise from critics, especially for Tom Hiddleston’s effortless performance as the famous Norse Mythology trickster. 

+ Main Cast

  1. Tom Hiddleston as Loki
  2. Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Renslayer
  3. Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15
  4. Eugene Cordero as Casey
  5. Tara Strong voices Miss Minutes
  6. Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius

+ Plot

After Loki’s (Tom Hiddleston) devious escape with the Tesseract in Avengers: Endgame (2019), he ends up getting arrested by an organization called  Time Variance Authority (TVA). Their sole mission to avoid disruption of the timeline and capture ‘Variants’ who were responsible for the timeline split from the main continuity. At the TVA, Loki meets agent Mobius (Owen Wilson) who believes that Loki could be used for a mission that has been plaguing the TVA for a long duration of time now; to capture a renegade Variant who is hiding in the different timelines of the Marvel Universe.

As the story progresses, Loki and Mobius soon realize that something does not seem right about the TVA and combine strengths in order to search for the truth.

+ High Points

i – After watching the last episode, I can sincerely concur that Loki is the best Marvel/ Disney Plus show to date. Tom Hiddleston is once again fantastic as the charming yet devious Loki and the rest of the cast contributes wonderfully to the convoluted story of Timelines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While such thematic elements can get tricky at times, Marvel has done a brilliant job in maintaining a balanced view and moved the story along each of the six episodes. 

ii – Speaking of great performances, Tom Hiddleston and Owen Wilson work seamlessly as a buddy cop movie duo where the banter is fun and never gets overbearing like in some of the lesser MCU films. At this point, I feel Tom Hiddleston can play Loki with his eyes shut whereas Owen Wilson is a welcome addition to the MCU family with his dry dialogue delivery and wry humor. 

iii – Another vital character that is introduced in Loki is Sophia Di Martino as Sylvie. I cannot talk much about her character as it would prove to be a major spoiler for the show but suffice to say, she is very charismatic whenever she is alongside Loki onscreen. 

iv – I think what should be most widely applauded about Loki is the writing. Michael Waldron and team have done a really special job in bringing a whole new concept of TVA into the MCU without disrupting anything around the already established storylines from the previous Three phases of the MCU. The episodes move at a brisk pace, provide vital details along the way and most importantly, have a keen eye on character progression for each individual throughout the series. With such a convoluted plot involving timelines, the writing team has done a stupendous job throughout the 6 episodes. Well done!

v – Some of the cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw is truly inventive and much more creative than the previous two Marvel/ Disney Plus series. The frame travels alongside our main cast, explores the TVA’s corridors in the earlier episodes but pulls back in the later episodes, revealing odd and ominous landscapes (a galore of Marvel easter eggs!).

vi – The Music by Natalie Holt is haunting and memorable. The preference of introument’s lower bass range proves ideal for the series as it meticulously mixes vintage Sci-Fi elements with slow melancholy. 

vii – The Costume Designs, Special Effects and Set Design are all praiseworthy. What could truly be admired about Disney Plus is that they have undeniable trust in their Marvel content and are willing to financially back it up all the way. When they don’t, you can see the mediocre CGI in films like Black Panther (2018).

viii – Where both the previous Marvel/ Disney Plus shows (WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) staggered for me were the final episode. It was a barrage of unnecessary epic battles with virtually no real organic progression towards it. Thankfully Loki avoids all that and concludes the story according to the previous events leading up to it. A new character is revealed in the last episode which systematically changes much of the Phase Four and could prove to be a worthy foe for the next generation of the Avengers. I cannot reveal much but the actor who plays the role is just simply outstanding in this. Whenever he was on screen, he clearly hijacked it and the mesmerizing performance was just an icing on the Loki cake.

+ Low Points

i – With all that is great and praiseworthy about Loki, there are problems that could’ve been ironed out during the writing process, mainly the over reliance of exposition. During the first two episodes, there were just way too many scenes with 10 minute long explanations about what the TVA is, how it works and what it accomplishes. To soften the blow, the 1920s style animated character ‘Miss Minutes’ was introduced and while that does work to a certain extent, the exposition still continues on in the next few episodes which slightly bogs down the pacing of the show. A tighter, more fluid progression of scenes were needed and while it is never detrimental, it would have surely been improved upon.

SPOILER ALERT!: (From here on out, there will be spoilers for the show. If you still haven’t seen the show and would like to see it, you can skip directly to Overall section):

ii – The romance between the two Loki variants was not organically earned by the show. Although it’s an interesting concept, the romance did feel a bit rushed and perhaps, some might feel it to be unnecessary to the overarching story. 

iii –  The show looks really dark… and I don’t mean the tone. It is literally low on brightness at times. Whether it was to compensate on the greenscreen/ CGI backgrounds is anyone’s guess but a bit of vibrance would have made the moving images more appealing to look at.

+ Overall

Loki is a blast from start to finish! It respects and understands its cast of characters brilliantly while does not shy away from pushing the complex boundaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Rate : 4.25 out of 5 stars

TV series

Mr. Khan’s Review on Ishq Hai – Episode IX & X (2021)

Mr. Khan's Reviews

A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Ishq Hai – Episode 9 & 10 (2021). The new TV series is directed by Aabis Raza and written by Rehana Aftab. Ishq Hai is an ARY Digital Production.

(Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

+ Crew

  • Directed by Aabis Raza
  • Written by Rehana Aftab
  • DOP by Waqas Ali
  • OST composed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
  • Editing by Zeeshan Ali Jokhio
  • Produced by Fahad Mustafa & Dr. Ali Kazmi

+ Note

Ishq Hai is a tale of two lovers, a Shakespearean tragedy set in South Asia where the conflict between tradition and individual freedom comes into play. An age long question within our Pakistani culture; should the tradition of arranged marriage be questioned? How important is the right to choose your own life partner? The drama has a star studded cast of young and veteran actors and is an exclusive ARY Digital Production.

 + Main Cast

  1. Minal Khan as Isra
  2. Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib
  3. Hammad Farooqi as Hammad
  4. Babar Ali as Isra’s father
  5. Hammad Shoaib as Haris
  6. Saba Faisal as Nafisa
  7. Mahi Baloch as Sameera
  8. Sajjad Paul as Raza
  9. Mahenur Haider as Nimra

+ Plot

Isra and Shahzaib are the young lovers in conflict with their respective families. Their parents have already found a spouse for them. Arranged marriage has been a family tradition but against all odds, Isra and Shahzaib want to fight for their love. Will their pure love be able to conquer all?   

+ High Points

i – The storyline moves at a brisk pace. If you’re into heavy melodrama, there’s never a dull moment in any of the episodes. 

+ Low Points

(Warning! Spoilers ahead! If you would like to avoid them, please skip to the Overall section):

i – Episode 9 was at least 10 to 15 minutes of slow motion with absolutely no real content. Do we really need half of the episode’s runtime with ridiculous slow motion despair scenes that are overtly prolonged and make no contribution to the storyline?

ii – One of the most baffling tropes of soap operas is the lack of a single sentence explanation that would solve most misunderstandings. In Episode 9, when Isra returns back home, her father rejects her because Isra dishonored herself. All she had to say in return was: “No, I was kidnapped and forcefully married to this lunatic besides me!”. But of course, she kept quiet as emotional raag music blasted over their heads so this debacle of a show keeps going for another 20 odd episodes.

    iii – Now the two episodes try to justify ‘psycho’ Shahzaib’s kidnapping and forceful marriage by making it seem he was just impulsive with “Love”. Is he supposed to be the antagonist of the show? Only then does this justification make any sense. Shameful writing.  

    iv – Speaking of glorifying terrible character decisions, Isra’s brother decides to shoot his sister and Shahzaib in cold blood. We live in a country where honor killings are rampant in villages. I could not help but shake my head in disbelief as to how this show is now exploiting real life tragedies. If you want to make a mediocre melodrama, please go right ahead but stop exploiting real life tragedies into your storyline if you cannot respectfully explore them!

    v – The acting throughout episodes 9 and 10 were below average. Especially Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib who cannot emote properly even if his life depended on it. Either the cast lacks the talent or proper direction from Aabis Raza as each episode runs on “auto-pilot” with single note emotions on display. It’s also disheartening to see a brilliant actress like Saba Faisal who is just there to recite a few lines and collect her paycheck. 

    + Overall

    At first, Ishq Hai was just laughably bad but now, it’s just painful to continue watching! 

     Rate: 0.5 out of 5 stars

    TV series

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Maat (2011)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Maat (2011). The 25 Episode limited TV series is directed by Amna Nawaz Khan and is produced by Momina Duraid. Maat was broadcasted on HUM TV Pakistan.

    + Crew

    • Directed by Amna Nawaz Khan
    • Written by Umera Ahmad
    • DOP by Shehzad Kashmiri
    • Edited by Husnain
    • OST Theme composed by Farrukh Abid and Shoaib Farrukh
    • Produced by Momina Duraid

    + Note

    Maat (adapted from the book of the same name) is written by the prolific Pakistani Urdu writer Umera Ahmad who is well renowned in the Pakistani Literature as well as Drama Industry as one of the most talented writers in Pakistan. The show is an exploration of themes such as moral defeat and victory in the eyes of our society. How far should one be selfish or selfless in order to survive in this world? Umera’s key strength in her writing has always been indulging in close family affairs and how differences in lifestyles can destroy the loved ones around you.

    After its original broadcast on HUM TV, Maat instantly gained its popularity amongst its fanbase and was aired once again in 2013. This also led to the show being dubbed in Pashto for Hum Pashto 1 and drew numerous fans outside the country’s borders (such as India, Iran and Turkey). At the Lux Style Awards, Maat bagged Best Television Actress for Saba Qamar, Best Director, Best Writer and Best Television Serial awards.

     + Main Cast

    1. Aamina Sheikh as Aiman
    2. Saba Qamar as Saman
    3. Adnan Siddiqui as Faisal
    4. Noor Hassan Rizvi as Hadeed
    5. Shamim Hilaly as Faisal’s mother
    6. Rabia Noreen as Afia
    7. Asad Malik as Aazar
    8. Samina Ahmad as servant
    9. Maheen Rizvi as Shaila
    10. Sadia Ghaffar as Munazzah

    + Plot

    Two sisters; Aiman (Aamina Sheikh) and Saman (Saba Qamar) have vastly different visions of a perfect life. Aiman dreams of a modest, honest life whereas Saman dreams of a luxurious life with no consequences. Ideals clash when Faisal (Adnan Siddiqui)  proposes to marry his long time love Saman but her perfect Husband might not have a clear face so long as he can fulfill every material need that she desires in Life.

    + High Points

    i – This is by now no secret that I am a massive fan of Umera Ahmed and her writing. She is undoubtedly miles ahead from many other drama writers in the Pakistani TV Industry. And Maat is no exception. Every episode is written with intricate precision and attention. With depth and understanding, each character feels a real and integral part of the story. Throughout its 25 Episodes, the show never felt staggered or prolonged (which is a rarity in modern Pak Television!). Each episode had a purpose to exist and that is perhaps one of the biggest compliments I could possibly give to a episodic soap opera. 

    ii – Even though Maat is (yet again) a story of love triangle on the surface level, the plot goes much deeper than that. The show is an exploration of selfness vs selfishness (similar to Umera Ahmed’s previous work Daam (2010) but interestingly enough, the role of Aamina Sheikh reversed). It’s obvious that the sympathies lie solely on Aiman but she herself is not flawless in her woes. She fails to understand where the limits lie when it comes to personal sacrifice. Saman (on the other hand) fails to understand why the world doesn’t revolve according to her needs. She has no issues in manipulating people in order to get her way. The concept of ‘philanthropy’ is all alien to her. 

    What I really admire about the storyline is all characters (whether good or bad) have flaws within them. The victim nor the oppressor can remain blameless throughout the show. It’s a balanced style of Umera’s writing which I truly applaud about her work. But with that being said, I think a lot of credit also should go to Amna Nawaz Khan’s superb direction. Her meticulous direction of her cast of characters and the scenes that they were part of really brought a lot of life into the show.

    iii – The performances are great all around but it’s mostly the main cast of Aamina Sheikh, Saba Qamar and Adnan Siddiqui that shine throughout the show. The audience naturally tunes in for them to take the center stage and they never fail to deliver. But surprisingly, as the show progressed, Saba Qamar quickly captured the limelight of the show and most of the later episodes were solely through her perspective. And that I felt was very refreshing to view the events from the “Antagonist’s” point of view.

    iv – The supporting cast of Shamim Hilaly, Rabia Noreen and others also contributed a lot to the show’s strength in its performances. Apart from the servant actors sounding a bit stiff, the main supporting cast was excellent throughout its 25 episodes. The scenes between Shamim and Rabia were also great to watch as their onscreen chemistry really had me believe that they are in fact sisters long after the cameras have stopped recording for the day.

    v – The setting, locations and backdrop was all brilliantly realized for the show. The living condition differences between lower social classes and upper social classes were very apparent and added much needed depth and diversity to the moving images of the show.

    vi – Apart from the brilliant OST by Muhammad Ali, most of the music was fantastic throughout the show. The integration of flute with melancholic piano really brought a sense of pain and regret onto the small screen. The music never felt overbearing but only ended up enhancing your viewing experience.

    vii –  The conclusion to the show was outstanding and fit right in the tone and narrative of the show. Most TV dramas fall into the trap of a great setup but a terrible payback at the end but the writer of Maat knew in which direction she was taking the show and how this particular story would end. The conclusion of any show always makes or breaks it but fortunately, Maat had a very satisfying conclusion to the show.

     + Low Points

    i – The production was serviceable to say the least. Shehzad Kashmiri’s camerawork was subpar and lacked any sort of creativity in its visuals. Shows like Raqeeb Se (2021) are a prime example how inventive framing and camerawork can really contribute to the overall aesthetic of the show.

    (Warning! Spoilers Ahead! If you would like to avoid it, please skip to the Overall section):

    ii – One major problem that left me perplexed was the shift of perspective from Aiman to Saman. Why? Why could not both have been the audience’s window into the world of Maat? Since the two sisters have polar opposite understanding of the world, this unique dual perspective would have worked seamlessly into the narrative but for some reason, Umera’s script solely focused on Saman’s view mostly throughout the show. A bit more balanced screentime between the two sisters would worked better for the show.

    iii – Although Saba Qamar’s performance was great, she had a certain tick in her performance that whenever she said something in a condescending tone, she shook her head on the side at the end of each sentence. I’m not sure if it was supposed to be a tick that Saba invented for her character or if it was the director’s suggestion but became a bit distracting as episodes went on. 

    iv – There were times when the audience might lose their empathy towards Aiman because she is gratuitously more generous than anyone ever should be. It’s hard to sympathize but only pity someone’s lack of intelligence if it’s already written on the wall that caving into Saman’s stubbornness and Faisal’s self-destructive desires will lead to nothing good in life. Perhaps it can be noted as a flaw of Aiman but these were the times when I momentarily lost sympathy for Aiman for being so naive and clueless.

    v – The “elderly” make up in the last two episodes was laughable. It looked ridiculous considering the white hair but perfect “wrinkless” skin. A random guy called Aiman ‘old lady’ just took me completely out of the scene. Stage plays have better makeup than this!

    vi – The last few episodes have a bit too many inner monologues from Aiman. I think that dragged the episodes a bit and could’ve been avoided. The visuals were enough for the audience to understand what was happening without the show spelling it out for them.

    + Overall

    Maat is such an entertaining watch. The characters are interesting and the plot progression is excellent throughout its 25 episodes. One of the best shows to come out of the last decade.

     Rate: 4.0 out of 5 stars

    TV series

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Ishq Hai – Episode VII & VIII (2021)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Ishq Hai – Episode 7 & 8 (2021). The new TV series is directed by Aabis Raza and written by Rehana Aftab. Ishq Hai is an ARY Digital Production.

    (Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

    + Crew

    • Directed by Aabis Raza
    • Written by Rehana Aftab
    • DOP by Waqas Ali
    • OST composed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
    • Editing by Zeeshan Ali Jokhio
    • Produced by Fahad Mustafa & Dr. Ali Kazmi

    + Note

    Ishq Hai is a tale of two lovers, a Shakespearean tragedy set in South Asia where the conflict between tradition and individual freedom comes into play. An age long question within our Pakistani culture; should the tradition of arranged marriage be questioned? How important is the right to choose your own life partner? The drama has a star studded cast of young and veteran actors and is an exclusive ARY Digital Production.

     + Main Cast

    1. Minal Khan as Isra
    2. Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib
    3. Hammad Farooqi as Hammad
    4. Babar Ali as Isra’s father
    5. Hammad Shoaib as Haris
    6. Saba Faisal as Nafisa
    7. Mahi Baloch as Sameera
    8. Sajjad Paul as Raza
    9. Mahenur Haider as Nimra

    + Plot

    Isra and Shahzaib are the young lovers in conflict with their respective families. Their parents have already found a spouse for them. Arranged marriage has been a family tradition but against all odds, Isra and Shahzaib want to fight for their love. Will their pure love be able to conquer all?   

    + High Points

    i – When it comes to Wedding scenes, most Pakistani TV dramas do such a lackluster job in making it convincing for the audience. Ishq Hai is one of the very few dramas which make the wedding scenes really satisfying to watch as they go all out with the set design and extras.

    ii – With all the bad writing and subpar performances, at least the production team does a decent job with the Camerawork, Costumes, Make Up and Set Design. At least they should be commended for their efforts behind the camera.

    + Low Points

    (Warning! Spoilers ahead! If you would like to avoid them, please skip to the Overall section):

    i – Oh boy, this show has already fallen off the rails! Shahzaib has officially turned into a complete psychopath who abducts women who don’t want to be with him and force marriage upon them. Is this the guy we’re supposed to be rooting for? There is absolutely nothing sympathetic about him left anymore. I sincerely hope Ishq Hai doesn’t portray him as the guy we should get behind. How can anyone in their right mind condone such actions?

    ii – Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib just doesn’t work. The actor does not possess the acting chops required to play the role of an obsessed lover. His “suicide” scene was complete cringe. Even though Minal Khan as Isra is still convincing in her performances, Danish (unfortunately) cannot keep up with the rest of the cast. The only emotion he can display is rage and that’s all he has shown throughout the show up till now.

    iii – Sameera (the sister in law) has such a ridiculous motivation to be evil in the show. It’s quite comical to be honest. Her whole life now revolves around Isra; “Is she texting her Hero??”. Running behind her everytime just so she could give the Evil zinger and feel proud of herself afterwards. Her whole motivation to be mean to Isra is that she is hogging all the attention towards her. It’s understandable if she’s not on good terms with her but Sameera’s dialogues are just beyond absurd.

    iv – EVERYONE KEEPS SHOUTING AT EACH OTHER IN THIS SHOW!! And watching two episodes back to back, it’s really tiresome. There are absolutely no quiet scenes for the viewers so they could at least have a breather in between dramatic scenes. But no, every second needs to be the main cast threatening each other. Cause that’s how normal people talk apparently.

    v – Yet another scene where Nimra crying alone, starring at a distance. This is literally all she is good for in the show.

    + Overall

    Eight episodes in and Ishq Hai has already jumped the shark! I don’t understand who the show wants the audience to root for anymore. Terrible writing!

     Rate: 0.75 out of 5 stars

    Feature Length Films

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Sarkata Insaan (1994)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani Sci-Fi Horror film, Sarkata Insaan (1994) which stars Babra Sharif, Ghulam Mohiuddin and Qavi Khan in lead roles. The film is directed by Saeed Rizvi and is distributed by Al. Farooq Movies.

    + Crew

    • Directed by Saeed Rizvi
    • Written by Rashid Sajid and Iqbal Rizvi
    • Cinematography by Saeed Rizvi
    • Edited by M. Aqeel
    • Visual Effects by Saeed Rizvi
    • Music by Kamal Ahmed
    • Produced by Saeed Rizvi

    + Note

    During Zia ul Haq’s rule and thereafter, Pakistani Film Industry fell from grace and was merely producing subpar films which made the cinema attendance drop by significant percentage, cripping the industry further. Fortunately, this also paved the way for local filmmakers to experiment with genres and techniques that Pakistani moviegoers were not aware of. 

    In 1988, after watching Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Saeed Rizvi (the director) was also inspired to make a film with similar visual technique, integrating live action with hand drawn animation. This first led to making the low key Pakistani Sci-Fi film Shani (1989) which also starred Babra Sharif. In 1990, Saeed Rizvi declared his next project to be Sci-Fi Horror film Sarkata Insaan. 

    The film was set to be released in 1991, with promotional ADs running on local television, proclaiming Sarkata Insaan to be the “first ever Pakistani Horror Film” (even though that statement is false as the ‘first Pak Horror film’ title is held by the Zinda Laash in 1967). Due to numerous delays, the film was eventually released in 1994.

     + Main Cast

    1. Babra Sharif
    2. Ghulam Mohiuddin 
    3. Izhar Qazi
    4. Sapna
    5. Asif Khan
    6. Saeed Khan Rangeela

    + Plot

    An Evil Scientist and his henchmen dig up a grave of an unknown deceased man in order to steal his head for an illegal experiment. The severed head is then used to revive a dead body of an ex crime lord who then goes on a murderous spree, proclaimed by many as the ‘Beheaded Man’. 

    + High Points

    i – As a kid growing up in early 90s Karachi, I remember viewing the promotional Ads of Sarkata Insaan numerous times on National Television. The shot of the gate opening by itself with luminous lighting, dark shadows and there, stood the headless man with an axe in one hand and his head in the other. It was such a great visual for a gorey low budget horror film! After watching the film now almost 30 years later, the visual still looks great and undoubtedly the highlight of the film. While the other special effects are hokey and laughable, the visual props of the “Headless body” are excellent. 

    ii – After reading up on Saeed Rizvi and his struggles to make a film for the Pakistani Industry in a completely alienated genre like Horror or Sci-Fi, I do sympathize and respect his struggle to realize his vision onto the silver screen. Filmmaking is a very unforgiving Art if you lack funds and support but Saeed Rizvi managed to pull off his vision and make the film that he wanted to. And that is in itself, quite an accomplishment!

    iii – The premise of the film is quite interesting and could’ve made for an excellent low budget Horror film! The head of an honest cop fused with the body of a criminal lord! How great of a concept is that? 

    iv – In a low budget campy way, the scene (later on in the film) with the headless man in the doorway and the head itself crawling towards the bed was excellently done. It’s one of the very few scenes where the special effects fit perfectly into the film. 

     + Low Points

    i – I was fully ready to embrace the film as a low budget campy Horror classic but Sarkata Insaan failed to live up to that expectations by a mile! This film is just plain bad. If you grew up in the 1990s, you could watch it for nostalgic reasons but apart from that, the film is terrible and senseless for all the wrong reasons.

    ii – In the 1970s and 80s, numerous emerging talents in Hollywood took up the mantle of creating Horror films on shoestring budgets. Directors such as Sam Raimi, John Carpenter and even later on, Peter Jackson used lack of funds as an advantage to elevate their films into campy Horror genre. So I completely understand if Saeed Rizvi was working on nickels and dimes to make his vision but with talent and intelligence, that could have very well have been masked with numerous filmmaking techniques. Not only that but there also seems to be a lack of attention to minor details. For example, why is there no visible line around the “Headless Man’s” neck whenever he fuses his head onto the body? Its small details like this that make the film rewarding to watch.

    Saeed Rizvi and team should’ve been creative about handling complicated Special Effects scenes rather than just having some of the most horrendous, terrible and comical sequences that fails the film in every aspect.

    iii – Bad Special Effects can be forgiven due to budgetary reasons but bad screenwriting unfortunately cannot. The script is beyond absurd! Nothing makes sense. The film has no idea what it wants to be; a Sci-Fi, a comedy, action or just a campy horror film? And then, there are the obvious questions;  If the headless body can function on its own, why does it need the head? Since the head is good but the body is bad, why is there not a constant struggle between them? Should’ve been such an interesting concept to explore!

    But no, they had to make numerous “comedy” scenes for Rangeela and dance numbers destroy any pacing or plot development that the script was creating. Were these scenes mandated by the financiers or were they part of Saeed Rizvi’s vision? One will never know.

    iv – Another baffling decision I feel from the creative side was the lack of any devotion to the Police officer’s past life. As a viewer, it was hard to empathise with him when he was trying to remember his “humanity” as we virtually know nothing about him. Only the fact that he was killed in the line of duty and he had a mother and a sister. And that sadly not enough.

    A perfect example could be Robocop (1987) where the audience is first introduced to the character’s family life, gets brutally injured by the band of criminals, is then transformed into Robocop (and in the process, loses his humanity) and then the rest of the film is him trying to remember what it was like to be human.

    Character development is extremely important if you want to have a strong payoff at the end.

    v – Speaking of dance numbers, the infamous ‘Babra Sharif dancing with Ninja Turtle and Pink Panther’ scene. Good God, what is that? Who in their right mind thought that this scene fits into a Sci Fi Horror film?? The animation is beyond terrible, nothing makes sense, Copyright infringement be damned, this whole scene feels like a fever dream! But in a guilty pleasure way, I’m so glad that this exists…

    vi – Sarkata Insaan was shot in 4:3 aspect ratio with some of the worst film material I’ve ever seen! Every scene is over exposed, the film feels cheap and disposable. Although its not too bad during night scenes but the day scenes, it’s just awful to watch.

    vii – The performances from all actors are over the top and campy (which is really not a complaint from me!) but in regards to the plot, mostly all the characters are pretty useless. It’s fun whenever the headless man is onscreen but the filler, exposition scenes with forgettable characters can easily be skipped.

    viii – I’ve always been totally against unnecessarily integrating religious or ultra nationalistic elements into fictional stories and Sarkata Insaan is no expectation. For such a ludicrous plot, it ends up making a mockery of both of these elements.

    ix – Coming in at 148 min runtime, the film is waaay too long for such a premise. It should not have been more than 90 minutes as the rest is just nonsense “comedy” scenes or musical numbers which should not have a place in a campy horror film! 

    + Overall

    I really wanted to recommend Sarkata Insaan as an entertaining campy horror film but unfortunately in its entirety, the film is not worth anyone’s time. You would be better off watching selected clips off it on Youtube.

    Rate: 1.75 out of 5 stars

    TV series

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Ishq Hai – Episode V & VI (2021)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Ishq Hai – Episode 5 & 6 (2021). The new TV series is directed by Aabis Raza and written by Rehana Aftab. Ishq Hai is an ARY Digital Production.

    (Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

    + Crew

    • Directed by Aabis Raza
    • Written by Rehana Aftab
    • DOP by Waqas Ali
    • OST composed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
    • Editing by Zeeshan Ali Jokhio
    • Produced by Fahad Mustafa & Dr. Ali Kazmi

    + Note

    Ishq Hai is a tale of two lovers, a Shakespearean tragedy set in South Asia where the conflict between tradition and individual freedom comes into play. An age long question within our Pakistani culture; should the tradition of arranged marriage be questioned? How important is the right to choose your own life partner? The drama has a star studded cast of young and veteran actors and is an exclusive ARY Digital Production.

     + Main Cast

    1. Minal Khan as Isra
    2. Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib
    3. Hammad Farooqi as Hammad
    4. Babar Ali as Isra’s father
    5. Hammad Shoaib as Haris
    6. Saba Faisal as Nafisa
    7. Mahi Baloch as Sameera
    8. Sajjad Paul as Raza
    9. Mahenur Haider as Nimra

    + Plot

    Isra and Shahzaib are the young lovers in conflict with their respective families. Their parents have already found a spouse for them. Arranged marriage has been a family tradition but against all odds, Isra and Shahzaib want to fight for their love. Will their pure love be able to conquer all?   

    + High Points

    i – The plot thickens! The stakes are now raised as to whether Isra should defend her family’s “honour” or fight for her love. Even though Ishq Hai has numerous flaws, it is specifically good at targeting its audience and what would make this show compelling to tune in every week for it. Every earth shattering revelation folds onto the next big issue.

    (Warning! Mild Spoilers! of Episode 5 & 6 up ahead. You can skip to Overall section below if you would like to avoid it):

    ii – Some of the shots in Episodes 5 and 6 were interesting and complimented the narrative of the show (for example, the shattered glass table and the distorted reflection of Shahzaib on it, reflecting his destroyed happy future that he once possessed). 

     + Low Points

    i – The show has been running on Auto Pilot since Episode One. And 5 & 6 are more of the same. Ishq Hai is literally recycled trash from numerous other Soap Opera clichés. Granted, nothing is original in TV shows nowadays but atleast present the same themes but with a different coat of paint. Not every scene needs overexaggerated nasty dialogue, accompanied by “Ahhhhs!” of the Raag singers and ridiculous editing zooms in and outs! As I mentioned in my previous review, if every scene is dramatic then no scene is dramatic.

    ii – So the devilish plan of the ‘soon-to-be’ daughter in laws to get revenge on Shahzaib’s family for the humiliation makes no damn sense! So they would rather prefer to still marry them after the humiliation that they faced in Episode 3 at the wedding in front of thousands of people JUST SO they can have the upper hand throughout their whole lives in the Shahzaib family and take revenge on Shahzaib? This is like James Bond’s villain of the week level stupidity. I guess the family has a lot of time to spare so they all can partake in a life-long revenge plan. This is all so ridiculous but hilarious. 

    iii – Isra’s sister in law Sameera might be the most ridiculous of them all. So she is envious and frustrated of Isra for ruining her post wedding plans of a honeymoon and all the attention apparently being diverted towards Isra. Why is every character so petty in this show? Sometimes problems arise and they get resolved. Why does she feel the need to hound Isra, snatching her phone, taunting her of her ex lover every single moment of her life? Oh yeah, she is EVIL! Sorry, forgot about that…

    iv – None of the characters in the show are sympathetic at all. They are either petty about their problems and take revenge on others or they are too brainless to convey their reasoning. Not to mention the elders in the show just fly off the handle if you even slightly disagree with them! If Ishq Hai wants to promote respecting elders, then the elders should be shown with some common sense in them.

    v – Too many scenes where people are confronting one another on the phone. Yes, in the modern world, that’s how it’s done but some things are compensated for so they look better on camera. Two adults (one with constant ear pods in his ears to show how cool he is) blabbing love cliches over the phone is hardly anything exciting to watch on screen.

    vi – Speaking of Shahzaib, boy does he come off creepy in Episode Six! There’s nothing more romantic than constantly hounding your ex on the phone, then following her into a shopping mall and manhandling her in a clothing salon while the workers there watch in awe!

    vii – Mahenur Haider as Nimra sadly just gives the worst performance in the show. Her acting is terrible but the whole fault doesn’t lie with her. She is practically given nothing to do throughout the two episodes than stand at the Beaded Curtain and stare into the camera.

    + Overall

    Ishq Hai is hilariously awful! Everything is over exaggerated nonsense from the plot to the performances of the actors, the dramatic scenes by now are just comical to watch. And I don’t see this show improving any time soon.

    Rate: 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Short Films & Documentaries

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Sitara: Let Girls Dream (2020)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani short animated film, Sitara: Let Girls Dream (2020). The short animated film is written and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who achieved international fame by her Oscar award winning short documentary Saving Face in 2012. The film is produced by Waadi Animations and distributed by Netflix.

    + Crew

    • Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
    • Written by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy
    • Music by Laura Karpman
    • Produced by Gloria Steinem
    • Produced by Netflix and Waadi Animations

    + Note

    Like Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s previous works, Sitara: Let Girls Dream is about the plight of Pakistani women, living in a male dominated society. The film focuses on child marriages which are still prevalent in villages or lower social class families who view their daughters more like a ‘burden’ of being married away as soon as they reach teenagehood. According to Obaid-Chinoy, this project was in mind since the early 2010s as they were eager to make a local animated film but lacked the training and resources. Often, the animators worked by looking up tutorials on Youtube or consulting past Pixar animators for advice. The equipment itself was not fully capable enough to render heavy animated sequences and would take days to finish. But by 2019, Sitara became the first Pakistani animated film to be produced by Netflix USA. 

    The film was released on 8 March 2020 and won 3 awards at the 2019 Los Angeles Animation Festival, for Best Produced Screenplay, Best Music Score and the Humanitarian Award.

    + Plot

    The story takes place in 1970s Lahore, where a young girl by the name of Pari, dreams of becoming a Pilot when she grows up. Unfortunately that dream gets cut shot when her father wants her to marry a much older man, thus ending any dreams that Pari had to becoming independent and living her dream.

    + High Points

    i – What’s obviously great about Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s work is that she highlights the taboo subject matters that are sadly not discussed in detail in our own land or just merely brushed aside. The subject of child marriages is unfortunately still a regular occurrence in Pakistani society which needs to be addressed on the big screen (or on a widely available platform like Netflix). And Sitara does exactly that.

    ii – The backdrop and setting of Lahore is brilliantly realized. The colorful neighborhoods and clothing of the locals really bring a sense of authenticity to the film.

    iii – The pacing of the short film was excellent. Every scene had a purpose and flowed well from beginning to end. The team had 15 minutes to achieve it and they managed it splendidly. 

     + Low Points

    i – While Sitara is a courageous film to make (regarding the lack of resources and the subject matter), it is still unfortunately lacking in many respects. While the animation can be rated as “good for a Pakistani animated short”, the lighting effects, character movements are still choppy and unnatural. The skin texture seems plastic at best, the whole animation has the ‘uncanny valley’ effect of everything seeming just manufactured. This effect unfortunately was very distracting throughout its runtime.

    ii – Another bold move that Sharmeen displayed was the lack of dialogue throughout the film. The script decided on the ‘action speak louder than words’ approach, thereby bringing the subject matter onto the forefront. Sadly, that technique did not mesh well with the script as many scenes felt awkward as if someone just removed dialogues in post production rather than silence complimenting the story itself. I still think it’s great that Sharmeen tried something different but it did not work well with the script or the overall production.

    iii – The character designs are nothing unique by the Art Direction department. They all seem generic “Post Pixar” designs which have no uniqueness to their look. When you see films like The Breadwinner (2017) or The Secret Of Kells (2009), they instantly stand out from the rest of the animation films out there. Lack of quality animation can be forgiven due to lack of resources but unique character designs cost nothing more. Why be a Pixar knockoff if you could have a distinctive style of your own? We could easily take inspiration from our own history of miniature Art.

    iv – The music accompanying the silent images by Laura Karpman felt uninspired. Perhaps the story needed some traditional instruments like Sitar to flow along the colorful backdrops of Lahore. Karpman’s orchestral music feels very unimaginative and somewhat out of place regarding the traditional Pakistani images of the film.

    v – For such a heavy subject matter, the conclusion felt very simplistic and nonchalant. I realize that the director had only 15 minutes to conclude the story but a better, more natural ending could’ve been thought of. I would have preferred if it was 30 minutes runtime, provided that the story had a better closure to it.

    + Overall

    Sitara: Let Girls Dream is a step in the right direction for Pakistani animation. Unfortunately, it falls short in many respects when it comes to storytelling and the animation department. A mild recommendation if you liked Obaid-Chinoy’s previous documentaries and are eager to see more of her work.  

    Rate: 2.0 out of 5 stars

    TV series

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Ishq Hai – Episode III & IV (2021)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Ishq Hai – Episode 3 & 4 (2021). The new TV series is directed by Aabis Raza and written by Rehana Aftab. Ishq Hai is an ARY Digital Production.

    (Note: If you’ve already read the review of the previous episode, you can skip directly ahead to the High points section).

    + Crew

    • Directed by Aabis Raza
    • Written by Rehana Aftab
    • DOP by Waqas Ali
    • OST composed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
    • Editing by Zeeshan Ali Jokhio
    • Produced by Fahad Mustafa & Dr. Ali Kazmi

    + Note

    Ishq Hai is a tale of two lovers, a Shakespearean tragedy set in South Asia where the conflict between tradition and individual freedom comes into play. An age long question within our Pakistani culture; should the tradition of arranged marriage be questioned? How important is the right to choose your own life partner? The drama has a star studded cast of young and veteran actors and is an exclusive ARY Digital Production.

     + Main Cast

    1. Minal Khan as Isra
    2. Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib
    3. Hammad Farooqi as Hammad
    4. Babar Ali as Isra’s father
    5. Hammad Shoaib as Haris
    6. Saba Faisal as Nafisa
    7. Mahi Baloch as Sameera
    8. Sajjad Paul as Raza
    9. Mahenur Haider as Nimra

    + Plot

    Isra and Shahzaib are the young lovers in conflict with their respective families. Their parents have already found a spouse for them. Arranged marriage has been a family tradition but against all odds, Isra and Shahzaib want to fight for their love. Will their pure love be able to conquer all?   

    + High Points

    i – Drama, drama! The episodes 3 and 4 were cranked up to 11 straight away! If you’re into crazy, over the top melodrama then these two episodes will bring you much entertainment and excitement in the continuing love saga of Isra and Shahzaib.

    ii – Most of the episodes take place at wedding (or similar) ceremonies so the atmosphere was well designed and constructed for the scenario. Due to budgetary reasons, most dramas have minimal wedding set designs which end up looking cheap and unrealistic but Ishq Hai really went all out with the wedding setup. 

     + Low Points

    i – By episode 3 and 4, it is obvious that Ishq Hai caters to an audience who love exaggerated melodrama in their shows with minimal plot and storyline. In that respect, I can understand why people would be eager to watch this show every week. But as a reviewer, it is my job to criticize the show based on all the merits that the show possesses and unfortunately, Ishq Hai fails pretty much in all departments. Let’s start with the unrealistic setups. The epic confrontations between two families have already occurred in episode 3 and 4, in front of hundreds of guests who inadvertently became part of this situation. Even if Shahzaib forced the situation onto his parents, any self respecting family would’ve tried to at least steer the conversation in close doors but where’s the fun in that? Pretty much every major character got their dramatic dialogue delivery in order to address the obvious situation. The conflict of the show seems so forced and ludicrous. For the guests in the background, they all seemed unphased by the whole situation (as if this is a daily occurrence in the world of Ishq Hai). I have to admit, I had to chuckle a couple of times throughout these scenes as they were mostly so unapologetically dramatic and in turn, hilarious!

    ii – The acting (while not terrible) is subpar by pretty much everyone in the cast. They all just commit to the bare minimum that the director Aabis Raza requires of them. It’s also a bit disheartening to see Saba Faisal, who just came off from a strong performance in Raqeeb Se (where she really got to flex her acting chops) is now back to spineless shows like this one.

    iii – “Ye Ishq Hai! Ye Ishq Hai!” . The chorus of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s OST will be hammering you every living second of the show. The show itself has no faith in its product so they use slow motions, close ups and over lingering Soundtrack to overcompensate. These techniques make me take the dramatic elements of the show even less seriously.

    iv – The show fails in its dramatic scenes having an impact with its audience because every scene in these episodes are treated as a “vital” scene to the show with overbearing music and epic slow motions of the reactions from the cast. If every scene is treated as such within 90 minutes of the show’s time then it very quickly loses its impact on its audience. I became desensitized pretty quickly after the first one since that’s the only trick in the book the show can unfortunately throw at me to grab my attention. Ishq Hai desperately NEEDS better pacing out its exposition and dramatic scenes. Not every scene should be treated as the finale of Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

    v – For some ludicrous reason, the show decides to heavily focus on Nimra’s reactions when Shahzaib confronts his parents with Isra. Why??? The audience has hardly spent any time with her, why all of the sudden, is she the center of attention? 

    vi – Sadly, none of the characters are interesting enough for the audience to care for. They are literally two dimensional cutouts of themselves whose sole purpose is to spout ridiculous (and hilarious) dramatic dialogues. The writer Rehana Aftab has done a terrible job in representing any of her characters with some sort of relatability. 

    vii – Way too many scenes where our main protagonists are just pondering while the Soundtrack blares over his or her head. I wonder how they get any of their work done if that’s what they spend half of their day accomplishing.

    + Overall

    Oversimplistic, over the top, cheesy plotline with comical in all the wrong places, Ishq Hai fails to be anything special from every aspect of storytelling.

     Rate: 0.75 out of 5 stars

    TV series

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Ishq Hai – Episode I & II (2021)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani drama TV series, Ishq Hai – Episode 1 & 2 (2021). The new TV series is directed by Aabis Raza and written by Rehana Aftab. Ishq Hai is an ARY Digital Production.

    + Crew

    • Directed by Aabis Raza
    • Written by Rehana Aftab
    • DOP by Waqas Ali
    • OST composed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
    • Editing by Zeeshan Ali Jokhio
    • Produced by Fahad Mustafa & Dr. Ali Kazmi

    + Note

    Ishq Hai is a tale of two lovers, a Shakespearean tragedy set in South Asia where the conflict between tradition and individual freedom comes into play. An age long question within our Pakistani culture; should the tradition of arranged marriage be questioned? How important is the right to choose your own life partner? The drama has a star studded cast of young and veteran actors and is an exclusive ARY Digital Production.

     + Main Cast

    1. Minal Khan as Isra
    2. Danish Taimoor as Shahzaib
    3. Hammad Farooqi as Hammad
    4. Babar Ali as Isra’s father
    5. Hammad Shoaib as Haris
    6. Saba Faisal as Nafisa
    7. Mahi Baloch as Sameera
    8. Sajjad Paul as Raza
    9. Mahenur Haider as Nimra

    + Plot

    Isra (Minal Khan) and Shahzaib (Danish Taimoor) are young lovers in conflict with their respective families as their parents have already found a spouse for them. Arranged marriages has been a family tradition but against all odds, Isra and Shahzaib want to fight for their love. Will their pure love be able to conquer all?   

    + High Points

    i – Ishq Hai checks all the right boxes when it comes to making engaging Soap Opera. Young lovers who have to fight for their right to be together and in the process, gain their respective families’ approvals. If you find this enticing and entertaining television then this is the show for you.

    ii – The setup of the two opposing families has a colorful cast and can potentially be utilized for interesting dynamics and plot points later in the show if the creative team plays their cards right.

     + Low Points

    i – Just by the first two episodes, one could tell that Ishq Hai has absolutely nothing original to offer. Its run of the mill, mediocre writing and storytelling, lovers whose families don’t approve of them being together (yawn). The writer Rehana Aftab could’ve at least attempted to try a different spin to this age long ‘Romeo and Juliet’ tale. Something that could wake the viewers up from an age long slumber of mediocre Pakistani soap operas but nope, putting effort into your work is for the weak. 

    ii – This is the actual synopsis of the show on the ARY Digital youtube channel:

    “Ishq Hai is a love story of a boy who is madly in love with a girl. Going against all odd to achieve his love.”

    Take the name “Ishq Hai” out of the equation and this could be ANY OTHER show on Pakistani television at the moment. This should be a strong indication how the show is lacking any sort of originality for its viewers.

    iii – Absolutely none of the characters are interesting. They are all cardboard cutouts of the same tropes, the same cliches you see in every other Pakistani Soap Opera. None of the main cast has any personality or quirk that could distinguish them from anyone else. Their characterization and motivations all stem from the writer wanting them to act according to the plot and not the other way around. It’s the storyline that makes the decisions for them in the show and not their individual personalities. Its lazy, mediocre writing that should have no place in the creative field of television. 

    iv – All the actors just resuscitate their lines for each scene. The acting ranges from decent to terrible. And I really can’t blame the actors for their bland performances if the writing and direction is so utterly uninteresting. Even Sir Anthony Hopkins can’t make this garbage fly.

    v – Ishq Hai has got to have the most substandard excuse of conflicts in a show that I’ve ever seen! Upon learning that their daughter or son has someone already in mind to marry, their characters just (with a flip of a switch) change their personalities so that some conflict could be presented to the show. First of all, judging from their surroundings, they obviously come from rich social classes which usually allows a bit more freedom to choose their life partners as compared to other lower social classes of Pakistan. The ridiculousness lies in their parents as they already decided on the arranged marriages without even consulting their child. And then, they are shocked that their child already has someone in mind. There was no discussion, no arguments, just overly exaggerated reactions which seemed utterly unrealistic in the context of the show. Have the families meet first, let the conflict grow before you execute it.

    vi – The show is not particularly pleasant to look at. The locations and colors have no sense of direction, just big mansions, lavish furniture and gorgeous actors for the viewers to ogle at.

    vii – Too many dramatic pauses, overbearing music which overwhelm any emotions that you could make out from the actor’s performances. This clearly shows that the creative team has no faith in their stars to convey their emotions to the viewers with their acting chops. Everything needs to be big and epic and loud, regardless of the context of the scene!

    viii – Speaking of bad music, its surprising to see that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s OST is on par with this show’s creativity; utterly mediocre and uninspired.

    ix – There is also an unnecessary mandate by the creative team to have a massive line of supporting cast. Most of them (in the first two episodes) had pretty much nothing to do. They were all relegated to the sidelines and contributed nothing to the overall plot. The first episode began with two sisters, scheming how they plan to get married in the same house and live like princesses. And then, nothing. It did not get mentioned, we never even get to see the two sisters interact afterwards. Usually an opening scene of a film or drama should address the main plot of the show or introduce the main cast. This did neither and was completely superfluous. 

    + Overall

    The premiere episodes of Ishq Hai had nothing to offer. Bland acting, terrible writing and mediocre direction. You would be better off watching paint dry.

     Rate: 1.0 out of 5 stars

    Tele-Films

    Mr. Khan’s Review on Neeli Dhoop (1994)

    Mr. Khan's Reviews

    A review on Pakistani longplay Drama, Neeli Dhoop (1994). The PTV classic longplay is directed by Nariman and is written/ starring the veteran actress of Pakistani Industry, Bushra Ansari. The longplay also stars Sajid Hasan and Nighat Chodhri. This telefilm was aired on Pakistan Television in 1994.

    + Crew

    • Directed by Nariman
    • Written by Bushra Ansari
    • Edited by Fakhar-ul-Hasnain Zaidi
    • DOP by Salman Naji, Ibnul-Hashim and Mohammad Moiz Khan
    • Music Composed by Javed Allah Ditta
    • Produced by Meera

    + Note

    Neeli Dhoop is the debut of Bushra Ansari as a writer for Pakistani Television. The longplay deals with such heavy themes like late marriage and the societal complications that come with it. Just by viewing the longplay, one could tell how personal the project of Neeli Dhoop was for the veteran actress. With the direction of the elder daughter of Bushra herself, Nariman brings the camera up close and personal, challenging the norms of a society and misperception regarding customs and religion. According to a DAWN newspaper interview of Dec 19 2010, Bushra Ansari came up with the script after she met a woman in a similar situation about 12 years ago before the release of the longplay. Upon release, Neeli Dhoop was relatively a critical and commercial success.

     + Main Cast

    1. Bushra Ansari as Nasira
    2. Sajid Hasan as Mansoor
    3. Nighat Chodhri as Rani
    4. Shahood Alvi as Shahood
    5. Arjumand Rahim as Naveeda
    6. Faryal Ali as Mano
    7. Mubassir Khan as Mrs. Barki
    8. Shahzad as Pervez
    9. Nilofar Khan as Shaila

    + Plot

    Nasira (Bushra Ansari) is content with her life or at least she thinks she is. Although she became a widow some decades ago, she is happy to see their daughter start a family of her own. But with each passing day, the solitude of old age creeps upon her. After a marriage proposal from her cousin Mansoor (Sajid Hasan), Nasira reluctantly accepts it but ends up being mocked and ridiculed by the society and people around her. 

    + High Points

    i – I don’t think anyone can start this review without addressing the controversial subject matter of Neeli Dhoop. Back in 1994, this was such a daring topic to engulf upon the Pakistani audience. Although the concept of late marriage is approved by Islam, it is still a controversial subject to bring upon the dinner tables of all Pakistani households. If a woman lost her husband at an early age and decided to not remarry right away, she is forever damned to remain lonely and unhappy for the rest of her life rather than finding happiness on her own later on in Life. High Art is a concept which is supposed to challenge the viewer’s perception on life and his/ her surroundings and Neeli Dhoop’s unapologetic wallop with the face of truth makes it such an engaging watch. Personally, I miss 90s Pakistani Television where they dared to be bold and different, where the only subject for each drama wasn’t a “love triangle” between three handsome co-stars. The content made you think, left a lingering thought long after the show was over. And Neeli Dhoop does exactly that.

    ii – While also serving as the writer for the longplay, Bushra Ansari is enigmatic and fully in control of her performance as always. It is admirable how easily she could mold her acting skills with each passing scene, creating a concucment of happiness and despair. Perhaps an obvious statement but a longplay like this would’ve never worked if not for Bushra Ansari’s meticulously calculated performance.

    iii – But all is not gloomy and dark, Sajid Hasan brings a much needed levity and comedic relief to the longplay. Whenever onscreen, Sajjid is fun to watch but most importantly, the quips and jokes never overstay their welcome. They are pretty much timed according to where the script could serve best. Watching two veterans of Pakistani television; Bushra and Sajjid on screen together is always a delight for the viewers.

    iv – It is hard to imagine that this was Bushra Ansari’s first ever debut script for Pakistani television. The scenes blend well with each other, creating a perfect narrative flow throughout its 90 min runtime. But most importantly, it is the dialogues that are incredibly down to earth, giving the viewer a sense of “familiarity” and a certain attachment to its characters. They transcend beyond “written literature” and are casual enough for the audience to undoubtedly relate to the characters they are witnessing onscreen. Some of the off-hand jokes and observations of Sajjid Khan genuinely made me chuckle. 

    v– The interactions between characters feel real. They never come off staged or exaggerated to enhance the audience’s perception of the emotions that the longplay is conveying. It never insults your intelligence nor does it look down upon you. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Neeli Dhoop is that it encourages you to elevate yourself and look at the longplay straight in its eyes and choose to either admire it or hate it.

    vi– While giving away no spoilers, the ending pulls no punches. The longplay ends exactly how it was meant to be; bold and uncompromising. With all honestly, I really admire Bushra Ansari to take the high route and not succumb to false, unrealistic resolutions.

     + Low Points

    i – Since Neeli Dhoop is a 90s production, it does have the obvious 90s production tropes. The camerawork is insipid, mainly working with mid close to close ups of actors, music is forgettable, sound design is non-existent. Neeli Dhoop solely works as a longplay solely due to its tight script and performances. 

    ii – While I did praise the conclusion for its boldness, it does admittedly feel a bit abrupt with many threads left tangled. But I suppose that’s how real life is. A minor complaint but perhaps a better resolution was needed between characters that we grew to love and care about. I wasn’t expecting them to ride together into the sunset but I suppose some vital questions were deliberately left unanswered, mainly the daughter and mother relationship at the end.

    + Overall

    “They don’t make them like they used to!”. Nope they sure don’t. With so much monotony and insipid TV shows of today, Neeli Dhoop blows all of them out of the water with its bold and courageous storyline and characters. It is a hidden gem that every Pakistani drama lover should watch.

    Rate: 4.5 out of 5 stars