Pakistan's Film Industry [Archive] - Page 4

brightside.

March 4th, 2008, 12:36 PM

Pakistan takes baby steps to filmdom
Reverses embargo on Indian films

By PATRICK FRATER

Pakistani cinema is entering the international age with moves to normalize the country's own movie industry and the reversing of a 43-year embargo against Indian films.

Caretaker minister for industries, Salman Taseer on Saturday announced that the entertainment sector has been granted 'industry status' following a decision by the Cabinet.

Spanning studios, production companies and animation, the status is intended to allow the sector to build infrastructure, conduct research and engage in training schemes.

"Duty-free import of equipment related to this industry will also be allowed," he said.

Industry status may also allow normal financial interaction with other parts of the economy. Neighboring India's granting of industry status eight years ago foreshadowed bank lending and outside financial investments in the sector and a modernization boom.

Taseer said Pakistani entertainment could expect to grow by an annual 7% following the reclassification.

"A notification allowing (Indian) imports is expected anytime," said Jamshed Zaffar, chairman of the Pakistan Film Producers' Assn. Other sources reported that government intends to allow 12 Indian films per year.

There have been signs of thawing in cinematic relations with India. High- level political intervention led to the screenings of "Mughal-e-azam" and "Taj Mahal" (both revolving around Muslim emperors of their shared history) to raise funds for earthquake relief.

And for the past three years Pakistan has allowed limited import of Indian films, such as "Bride and Prejudice" and "Goal," that were principally shot outside India.

"Indian films allowed entry since 2004 were those shot on third-country locales and brought here as foreign films. The new regime will do away with these restrictions," Zaffar said.

Pakistan has its own Urdu-language movie industry based in Lahore, which is inevitably nicknamed Lollywood, and its own stars. But Pakistani cinema has dwindled under pressure from intense piracy, cable TV and lack of investment in theatrical circuits.

Lobbying by exhibitors for a reversal of the 1965 ban on Indian films, is both an acknowledgement that video copies of Bollywood movies are widely traded on the black market and a move to drive revenue through Pakistani turnstiles.

Exhibitors urged Indian rights owners to be cooperative, rather than conquering. Day-and-date releasing either side of the border has best chance of B.O. success, but because of limited screen numbers, releases are unlikely to be wide.

The thawing relations look set to go both ways. The first commercial release of a Pakistanifilm in several decades is set for March 28. Helmed by Shoaib Mansoor Pic, "Khuda ke liye" (In the Name of God) focuses on the rift between radical and liberal versions of Islam. With a cameo role by veteran Indian thesp Naseeruddin Shah pic was a hit in Pakistan last year and previously showed at the Intl. Film Festival of India. India has 140 million Muslims, the largest religious minority.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981765.html?categoryid=19&cs=1

brightside.

March 4th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Entertainment sector gets industry status

RECORDER REPORT (http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=703575&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=)

LAHORE (March 02 2008): The federal cabinet has granted status of industry to the Entertainment sector comprising studios, production and animation houses. Federal Caretaker Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Minister Salmaan Taseer said in a press briefing held here at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) on Saturday.

Federal Industries Secretary Shahab Khawaja, Smeda CEO Shahid Rashid, Jamshed Zafar, Usman Peerzada, Ms Shireen Pasha, Mekal Hussan, Noorul Hassan and a number of the stakeholders from the entertainment sector were present on this occasion.

The minister said the cabinet, on a recommendation by the industries ministry, had allowed duty-free import of the equipment to be used by entertainment industry. The ministry, in consultation with the stakeholders, would prepare a list of such equipment that would be submitted with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to get a formal SRO released in this connection, he added.

Taseer also said the government will facilitate the entertainment sector to build necessary infrastructure, conduct focused research and expand the skill base through training and house incubation facilities, and power tariff of the entertainment sector would also be taken up separately with Nepra to reduce the cost of entertainment business.

The minister regretted that country's entertainment industry had been plagued by a number of ills, most of them chronic in nature and difficult to eradicate in short run. Given the significance of the sector both in the context of promoting much needed social tranquillity and economic well being of the people associated with it, he said the federal government stands committed to playing a facilitating role in developing the entertainment sector.

Salman Taseer said in 2006, the entertainment industry stood at an estimated $1.45 trillion with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.3 percent to reach $1.9 trillion by 2009. He praised Smeda for conducting a series of meetings with stakeholders of the entertainment sector to prepare phased short to long-term Entertainment Industry development strategy.

It identified several growth barriers with a detailed course of actions to overcome the challenges. Several consultative sessions with the industry key stakeholders were held recently, he said, adding that the proposals emanating from the consultations were presented to the Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on January 12, 2008.

The ECC has granted approval to the first set of proposals presented by the Ministry of Industries, Production & Special Initiatives, which include declaring the entertainment sector an industry and allowing zero-rated import of the equipment to be used by this industry.

Wolverine

March 5th, 2008, 04:28 AM

KHULAy AASMAN KE NEECHEY
NA9v2Ueu9sw

Pakia

March 5th, 2008, 06:35 AM

^^ I did like Reema's classic dance on stage. Atleast one Pak actress knows ABC of Kathak. The look on other actresses faces was priceless.

I had the dubious honor to watch her dance live in Hunter College, Manhattan 8 years ago and loved it.

Too bad dance has disappeared from movies and only robotic choreography is left. Nuch Le with Madhuri was a good dance movie, my second movie of her, as I hardly watch Hindi movies.

pakboy

March 12th, 2008, 09:20 PM

MADE IN PAKISTAN, is a doc but looks good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kFAUHdowI&feature=related

Intoxication

March 12th, 2008, 10:08 PM

MADE IN PAKISTAN, is a doc but looks good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kFAUHdowI&feature=related

Nice one pakboy. Keep us updated with it.

brightside.

March 13th, 2008, 10:33 AM

MADE IN PAKISTAN, is a doc but looks good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kFAUHdowI&feature=related

They could have learnt to say "Pakistan" properly before they decided to make a documentary on it. Anyway, I would like to see someone include a real, poor Pakistani in a documentary such as this one.

Pakia

March 17th, 2008, 03:28 AM

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/photogallery/thefilm/16.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/photogallery/thefilm/01.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/photogallery/thefilm/15.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/photogallery/thefilm/10.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/CastNandita.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/CastMariaWasti.jpg

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/

brightside.

March 17th, 2008, 03:35 AM

Nandita Das is cute, I like her.

Plasma.

March 17th, 2008, 04:07 AM

Javed Reza is making a movie called "Kabhi Pyar Na Karna" and it has Neha Dupia in a song.

http://www.indiafm.com/movies/cast/12717/index.html

bhopalus

March 17th, 2008, 04:53 AM

Shahrukh Khan Ki Maut

dhwMZ760mrg

woah wtf

looks cool, i couldnt understand the trailer

what's it about?

brightside.

March 17th, 2008, 06:30 AM

Looks like it's a movie about drug addiction. They stole the soundtrack of one of Hollywoods finest movies, Requiem for a Dream. Which incidentally is also about drug addiction. I wonder if they have permission to use the soundtrack. They could get in trouble with the law if the movie is screened in the US.

Pakia

March 30th, 2008, 07:59 PM

Ramchand Pakistani is going to be playing in Tribeca Film Festival from April 28 -May 3 in lower Manhattan, for those who can make it there.
I was emailed by Mehreen Jabbar direct on my inquiry. Thanks Mehreen.

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/?c=y&3301=170211&curView=browseDetail&sortBy=title

Pakia

March 30th, 2008, 08:01 PM

Also will be showing is "Gadha in Pakistan" from April 25-May2
http://www.donkeyinlahore.com/The%20Film_files/DIL011%20cropped.jpg

http://www.donkeyinlahore.com

March 31st, 2008, 01:01 AM

"Gadha in Pakistan"

:hahano:

cntower

March 31st, 2008, 06:33 AM

Is this for real?

Pakia

March 31st, 2008, 06:39 AM

Yep, its for real. But name aside, its not what you think.

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/?c=y&3301=170141&curView=browseDetail&sortBy=title
or check out the 'documentary' website.

imran02feb79

March 31st, 2008, 11:37 AM

^^

Thanks PAKIA for sharing with us ...

Synopsis of the film "DONKEY IN LAHORE" from website:
PLOT SUMMARY

DONKEY IN LAHORE is an unusual love story that follows the quixotic courtship of Brian, an ex-goth puppeteer from Australia, and Amber, the traditional Muslim girl he met and fell in love with during a short trip to Pakistan in 2000. Upon his return to Australia, Brian decides to convert to Islam and return to Pakistan to seek her hand in marriage. Can this unlikely couple survive the challenges they are about to face?

SYNOPSIS

Donkey in Lahore tells the real life tale of Brian, an Australian Goth whose skills as a puppeteer takes him on a journey that transcends borders, religion and love.

While visiting Lahore in Pakistan to perform at a puppet festival, Brian meets Amber, 17. Ten years Brian’s junior, Amber doesn’t seem a likely match for this tear-away Goth. She’s a devout Muslim and still lives at home with her tight-knit family. Yet in a whirlwind two-week romance during which the pair are never alone together, they fall in love.

Over the next two years, Brian and Amber continue their relationship by correspondence. Brian converts to Islam in order to be accepted by Amber's family and so that he can marry her.

Brian’s struggle to marry Amber is fraught as he battles the Australian immigration system, costly trips between the two countries, his own religious conversion, lifestyle changes and last but not least the stern disapproval of Amber’s parents!

What unfolds is a real life Romeo and Juliet tale that spans the globe, a captivating story of love that borders on obsessive. From Brisbane to Lahore, from Christianity to Islam, can these star-cross’d lovers live happily ever after?

Donkey in Lahore is a documentary five years in the making. Filmed in true observational style, award-winning Australian director Faramarz K-Rahber uses his unique access and skills to deliver a powerful film full of intimacy and intrigue.

Wolverine

April 1st, 2008, 06:45 AM

LINK TO RAMCHAND PAKISTANI TRAILER

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/Preview.htm

Pakia

April 1st, 2008, 02:25 PM

Thanx Wolfy, looks good.

I'm driving for three hrs to go see it on May 3rd at Tribeca festival at 6:15. Though story is a bit tired, as was in Little terrorist but that was somewhat anti-Pakistani, unlike this.

If someone else is coming that day, maybe we could meet and may even get to talk to Mehreen there as she said she may be there on the last day.

karachiite8heart

April 4th, 2008, 03:18 PM

Read the complete article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7330072.stm

A critically acclaimed Pakistani film on Islam has been released across cinemas in India.

It is the first Pakistani film to get a wide commercial release in India in over four decades.

Khuda Kay Liye (In the Name of God) focuses on the lives of Muslims after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States.

Officially, India and Pakistan have banned each other's films since going to war in 1965.

But in recent years, the two countries have made exceptions. In 2003, Pakistani film Khamosh Paani (Silent Waters) had a limited release in India. In 2006, Pakistan allowed three Indian films to be shown.

'Answer to West'

Khuda Kay Liye stars Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah. Pakistani Shoaib Mansoor makes his debut as the film's director.

"It's been long that terrorism has been linked with Muslims and it has become synonymous with the community," Shah said, the Reuters news agency reports.

"It was high time that an answer to this was given to the West... That is the only reason that this film has mostly been made in English, to cater to the western audiences."

Bollywood film Taj Mahal was shown in Pakistan

The film had its premiere in Mumbai (Bombay) on Thursday evening.

"It is a very good movie and more films like this should be made," Bollywood director Madhur Bhandarkar said.

"Khuda Kay Liye has been appreciated very much wherever it is screened and it is a very good bond between the two countries," he said.

In 2006, Pakistan approved three Indian films for screening.

These included Mughal-e-Azam, the 1960 classic starring Dilip Kumar and Madhubala; Taj Mahal, a 2005 film starring Pakistani actress Sonia Jehan; and the 1984 film Sohni Mahiwal.

More recently, Bollywood releases Welcome and Race have been shown in Pakistan.

Indian films are hugely popular in Pakistan and illicit copies are easy to find.

India's Hindi-language film industry, which includes Bombay's Bollywood movies, is the world's largest by viewership.

Intoxication

April 4th, 2008, 07:44 PM

^^ How come only oldie Indian movies like Mughal-e-Azam, Sohni Mahiwal or boring ones like Taj Mahal were offcially released in Pakistan? Though it says that recently Welcome and Race were also screened.

Though its good news that Khuda Kay Liye got released in India. It was a good movie, plus we gotta show the world and India, the viewpoint of Pakistan and Muslims.

Plasma.

April 5th, 2008, 12:38 AM

The promo is out for Ramchand Pakistani, looks fantastic! Well at least comparing to other pakistani films and most indian film plots,

http://ramchandpakistani.com/Preview.htm

i don't think it would be possible for me to embed it here, maybe someone else knows how.

imran02feb79

April 5th, 2008, 08:21 AM

http://www.jang.net/jm/4-5-2008/images/1734.gif

imran02feb79

April 8th, 2008, 09:37 AM

Leaving the theater after watching the new movie, "Khuda Kay Liye," the first Pakistani film to be released in India in more than four decades, Sahid Anmad and Samir Agarwal finally found something they could agree on involving India and Pakistan: they both loved Pakistani women.
Pakistani actress Iman Ali addresses media representatives during a preview of the film "Khuda Ke Liye" (In the Name of God) in Mumbai late...
Pakistani actress Iman Ali addresses media representatives during a preview of the film "Khuda Ke Liye" (In the Name of God) in Mumbai late March 31, 2008. Khuda ke Liye is the first Pakistani film to be officially released in India after many decades. The film is about the life of Muslims after 9/11. The film was a huge success in Pakistan. The film also received a standing ovation at the International Film Festival of India last year is planned to premiere across New Delhi and Mumbai.
(Pal Pillai, AFP/Getty Images)
More Photos
http://a.abcnews.com/images/Entertainment/nm_iman_ali_080404_mn.jpg
Sure, it was easy to fall in love with Iman Ali, a real-life supermodel in Pakistan and the female star of the movie. But there was something else her character did that united these two Indian law students, one a Muslim from Kashmir, one a Hindu who firmly believed Kashmir was part of India.
"Someone who's ready to die, someone who is a religious fanatic, he will do anything because he has nothing to lose," Anmad told ABC News, sitting outside the theater after the first New Delhi screening of the film. "What the movie showed is that there are those of us Muslims who want what everyone else wants: to have a family. To have a good life. And to have a good woman."
"I have a problem with Pakistani politicians," Agarwal said, sitting next to his friend. "But I don't have a problem with Pakistanis or with Islam. And she," he says, referring to Ali, "she was beautiful. And she was inspiring."

"There is a misconception about Pakistanis in India," the movie's director, Shoaib Mansoor, told Agence France-Presse. "I hope this film will make Indians understand our society in total."
The majority of Bollywood's stars are Muslim. "Bollywood stars are more popular in Pakistan than they are in India," Anmad jokes, even though India's movies are banned in Pakistan. Ubiquitous DVD shops sell pirated copies of Hollywood and Bollywood movies for $1.00 to $1.50.
And "Khuda Kay Liye" is perhaps the most internationally acclaimed movie that the two countries are now trading. In 2006, Pakistan approved three Indian films for screening in Pakistan on the stipulation that India show three Urdu language films.

Ali stars as a half-British half Pakistan woman liberalized by growing up in London. She is tricked by her father into returning to Pakistan and marrying the brother who had given up music as un-Islamic.
It is deeply critical of religious zealots, one of whom literally steals the microphone from a moderate in the last scene in the movie. It is also deeply critical of the United States' response to Muslims living in U.S. after 9/11.
"Every person with a Muslim name was stamped a terrorist and being a Muslim became a crime," Mansoor told the Indian news service IANS. "The way America and the West are dealing the problem is very wrong — they are just trying to kill and suppress those Muslims who are being labeled as terrorists. And it will not solve the problem because if you will kill 10, a hundred more will emerge."

"Khuda Kay Liye" won the silver Pyramid Award at the Cairo International Film Festival and the Roberto Rossellini Award by the Italian film industry.
"It's a one of a kind wonderful film to come out of Pakistan," Ashok Ahuja, the director of Perfect Picture Company, which is distributing the movie, told ABC News. "With India opening up, you'll find the quality of the Pakistani films improving tremendously. The talent over there is tremendous."
When Pakistan banned Indian movies, the Pakistani movie industry dried up. Bollywood, the world's largest movie industry, produces about 1,000 films every year. Pakistan produces 40.
Ahuja, for one, is hoping that "Khuda" "opens the floodgates" of Pakistani movies into India.
"They had fewer cinemas over there and the returns were not that high," Ahuja says by phone from Bombay. "Now that you have India opening up, the returns will be there … and when the returns good, the quality will improve."
The movie, which was made for about $10 million, has premiered in the United Kingdom and the United States, mostly to positive reviews.
Walking out of a sparsely attended first showing in New Delhi, Anmad said he thought more Indians would see the movie as word about its opening spread. "Their movies are usually mediocre. This was an exception." And in better art, he hoped, would be better understanding. "As far as sports, movies, culture go, India and Pakistan are the same," he said. "Every day, we are sitting closer together."

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/...4590620&page=1

imran02feb79

April 8th, 2008, 09:50 AM

Khuda Kay Liye - A fantastic film from across the border
SAVIO ZACHARIA, IndiaGlitz [Wednesday, April 02, 2008]

Khuda Ke Liye better known as ‘ In the name of God ‘internationally has been highly acclaimed at several film festivals and has bagged several prestigious awards. The film has been directed by Pakistan’s most renowned TV producer Shoaib Mansoor who has been the mastermind behind the success of the comedy play ‘Fifty Fifty’.

This time around Shoaib gets into a more serious note exploring certain fundamentalists false beliefs circling Islam and the state of Muslims in today’s contemporary modern society. The film also dwells into the state of Muslims living abroad post the 9/11 attacks.

The film that had a fatwa issued against it by some radical maulvi's and had the director of the movie fleeing Pakistan as soon as the movie was released fearing his life finally releases in India courtesy Percept Picture Company.

The movie revolves around two musician brothers – Mansoor(Shaan) and Sarmad (Fahwad Khan) who have their own popular music group in Pakistan. Music is considered ‘Haram’ by certain fundamentalist groups and thus one day Sarmad is lured by fanatical Maulvi Tahiri (Rasheed Naz) into joining his ranks as a fundamentalist and giving up music and all other things perceived as haram.

Meanwhile UK-based uncle of the boys, worried by the prospect of his daughter Mary(Iman Ali) having an affair with a white British, traps her into a visit to Pakistan and sends her into an Afghan village where she is forcefully married off to Sarmad under the influence of Maulvi Tahiri.

Then the disastrous 9/11 occurs and Mansoor is detained on the grounds of being Muslim by U.S. authorities who beat and torture him to elicit a confession of his role in terrorism. While Mansoor is held captive by U.S. authorities his younger brother Samrad gets involved in the battle between Taliban, US forces and Northern Alliance. Now Mary too is held captive in the frontier village and can’t break free from the chains of a forced marriage.

‘Khuda Ke Liye ‘is truly a splendid offering to the world of cinema. People may call it a Pakistani film but the film is truly international carrying a star cast which is a mix of Pakistanis, Indians and Americans. The film also addresses an international subject; the state of Muslims all over the globe. The plot surely stems from within the dynamics of Pakistan and its rigid functional laws and ethos but the film truly makes a global mark.

The director Shoaib Mansoor deserves a standing ovation to firstly dare to make such a film being a resident of Pakistan and secondly for changing our perception about Pakistani cinema being low budget, mediocre quality flicks. ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ has been very well conceived and executed by Mansoor and his team. The film brings about the resurgence of cinema in Pakistan.

Mansoor has combined with Geo TV network to produce a massive and hard hitting film such as this. Mansoor has fused in various controversial issues such as religious extremism , racial profiling , status of women in Islam , Music according to Islam and cultural contextualization of religion to provide a real hard hitting film.

The direction and screenplay is top notch as the film moves gradually from one character to another. The cinematography and editing too is good. The film captures the beautiful locales of Pakistan, Afghanistan and USA very well. The cuts are sharp and the edit fuses well with the transition in the narrative.

The dialogues of the film are hard hitting and may be objectionable by certain Muslim groups. Like Naseeruddin Shah’s delivery of ‘deen me dadhi hai, dadhi me deen nahi‘ (In religion there is beard, not religion is in beard).

The music of the film is just splendid. Unlike Hindi films, the actors don’t break into a 4 min song or so, rather the songs are played mostly in the background and yet hook onto you. The ‘Allah Hoo’, ‘Bhulla Samjaiya’ and title track are worth listening to over and over again.

On the acting front all actors are effective but it’s primarily Shaan and Rasheed Naz who steal the show. Actor Shaan is just so versatile and even the accents implemented by him as he goes to the US is just smooth. His dialogue delivery too is sleek. Just watch the scene where he is being interrogated by the US officials in the cell constantly. His expressions change from fear to anger and hatred and the way he responds to the threats from the officials is fantastic.

Rasheed Naz brings in the elegant, fundamentalistic , religious maulvi element with ease. He poisons Samrad’s mind in a very realistic manner with debatable issues. His dialogues too are very effective as he describes music to be ‘Haram’ and sends out his troop to fight the war stating it to be ‘Allah Miya’s’ call.

Pakistani model Iman Ali too does a good job at depicting the captivity and turmoil within a woman. Fahwad Khan who came into the film on Pakistani Pop icon Ali Zafar’s refusal to do the role does a good job. He expresses well as the young lad sandwiched between his elder brothers’ thoughts and the maulvi’s fundamentalist views. His delivery at the court sequence really impresses as he argues that he never used to read the Quran but wasn’t a bad Muslim either.

Naseeruddin Shah comes very late into the film as Maulana Wali but delivers some of the best dialogues of the film. He tackles various issues such as music in Islam and other cultural elements which aren’t a part of the religion. He intensifies and argues about the Muslim ‘Huliya’(looks). ‘haraam ki kamai jeb me rakhkar, halal ghosht ki dukaan dhoondhte hain‘ (People look for Halal meat shops with inappropriate earnings in their pocket) are lines that strike gold.

On the whole, ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ does have minor glitches but the storytelling and theme of the film is just so intense that one never tends to dwell on those aspects. The film is definitely a must watch and Shaan’s letter towards the end of the film leaves behind a message to all across the globe that surely helps in clearing the misconception that every terrorist is a Muslim and vice-versa.

imran02feb79

April 8th, 2008, 09:51 AM

http://i.indiafm.com/memories/08/khudakayliyeprem/still9.jpg

Pakia

April 8th, 2008, 11:36 AM

brightside.

April 8th, 2008, 12:13 PM

She is the British actress in KKL. But inspite of few good reviews in Indian media, the movie bombed in India big time. Besides being from Pakistan, it lacked the masala, dance numbers that Bollywood fans like to have 'their paisa wasool'.

This film's plot is too advanced and profound for regular South Asians to appreciate. The regular person in South Asia wants to watch the typical Bollywood drivel about a rich/poor guy falling in love with a rich/poor girl (it has to be a class conflict) or just simply a movie which makes Indian schools/colleges look as much like Hanna Montana's high school Musical :lol:

Btw, is there any info on how much the movie made in India? If it made anything at all, I wouldn't say it tanked. Every review I've read from India seems to be positive.

siamu maharaj

April 8th, 2008, 01:27 PM

Red aRRow

April 8th, 2008, 02:45 PM

April 8th, 2008, 03:40 PM

:doh:

pakboy

April 8th, 2008, 09:45 PM

Where do we go from here?

Geo Television and NDTV open up the LoC for discussion as Khuda Kay Liye releases in India and Taare Zamee Par is set to hit screens in Pakistan

Saba Sartaj K
Karachi

The trickle of Indian film releases in Pakistan has turned into a deluge over the last year with a host of Indian films, from Awarapan to Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal to Welcome and, most recently, Race and Taare Zameen Par, managing to cross the border for a tryst with the Pakistan audience in the theatres. From pirated copies of Indian films available clandestinely, to pirated copies of Indian films available everywhere and airing on cable TV to Indian films legitimately being released in Pakistani cinemas, it is now finally official. Bollywood is here to stay and grow. And that development is very welcome because it is a given that Pakistan's film industry will grow with it.

It's been a while now since Mughal-e-Azam and Taj Mahal were tentatively released cutting the proverbial ice in film ties between India and Pakistan by becoming the first two Indian films to release in the Pakistan after a three decade gap. Today, the release of the Pakistan film Khuda Kay Liye in Indian theatres, is equally historic. With the release of Khuda Kay Liye in India and Taare Zameen Par, a purely Indian made and cast film releasing in Pakistan, a great debate has opened up. People are jubilant on both sides of the divide, don't want this exchange to stop and are wondering where it will all head. Perhaps it is fitting then that a talk show on the 'Revival of Cinema', collaboration between NDTV and Geo Television will be aired on Friday and Sunday. After all, it is the perfect time to put Indian and Pakistani artists on one platform for a healthy dialogue.

Hosted by veteran actress and director Samina Peerzada on the Pakistani end and Nidhi Razdan as her Indian counter part, the discussion was indeed an interesting one with its highs and lows and a pinch of heated arguments. With Dr Enver Sajjad (writer/intellectual), Mr. Zoraiz Lashari (cinema owner), Atiqa Odho (actress/producer), Fawad Khan (actor/musican), Mehreen Jabbar (film maker) and Atif Aslam (musician) the Pakistani panel was an interesting mix. On the other hand, the Indian panel, comprising of MS Sathyu (Director of Garam Hawa), Pooja Bhatt (actress/ filmmaker), Farooq Sheikh (actor) and Javaid Sheikh from Mumbai was a mix that seemed a little lackluster. The people on it are not exactly the big guns of Bollywood. However, it was an effort made in good spirit and nevertheless, must be appreciated.

The focal point of the discussion was to analyze and discuss what hope there is for both the countries to come together and open up the cultural doors to each other and to see how far the cultural exchange can go. Also, to analyze what benefits lie in it for both the countries and industries. What came across was, of course, something that we all already know and feel. On both sides of the border, there is mutual love and respect. We all want the same thing. We have one language and we share a strong history. Bollywood films are a big part of our society, we love them and of late, Pakistani musicians are becoming hot favourites across the border. Our local talent is being tapped into by India and given the exposure that our own industry unfortunately hasn't been able too. Everyone wants the cultural doors to open, people want to reach out to one another and gain from one another. The unanimous verdict that came out was that ultimately, people want to come together, make love not war and that it is not the government's decision to make. It is between the people. If they want something, nothing can stop them from getting it provided they assert themselves and push for it.

"The exchange of films and arts couldn't be stopped even if both the Indian and Pakistani governments got together against it. It was inevitably going to happen," said Pooja Bhatt. "I made the move with the Karafilm Festival by taking one of my unreleased films there. Every one warned me that DVDs of the film will be all over the place in no time, but I still stuck to my decision. I took the risk. Somebody had to make the first move. We all want to come together and work together and there is a lot of love and respect amongst the people. It is just the politicians who keep messing things up. I also received an award on behalf of Anupam Kher at the Karafilm Festival for his performance in Main Ne Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara. An award in Pakistan! When was the last time India gave an award to anyone from Pakistan?" she exclaimed.

To which Faroooq Sheikh added, "Art and artistic endeavor should not be in the hands of the government. If left to the politicians, we won't be anywhere. This is a big step forward and more doors will open if only this process doesn't stop. It should be upto the people to decide, not politicians who just distort things and push agendas for their own benefits."

The show served as a sort of a wakening call for the artists of both countries who have silently accepted the verdicts of their respective governments and not tried to break through the barriers and fight for what is their right.

"The people to people contact is great," says Atiqa Odho, "but when governments get involved things go wrong. It is fantastic that the government is supporting the arts now but it needs to be sustained, and for that to happen, the people need to take a strong stand."

Atif Aslam was sitting there as a fine example of what India can do for the Pakistani industry. Atif was a Pakistani star long before he crossed the border, but making it big in India has taken his career to a whole new level. He agreed with all that was being said but one wish more attention would have been paid to the Atif Aslam juggernaut. It would've been interesting to get the Indian perspective on that. That said, this discussion was the beginning and it was healthy to see both sides agreeing on the issue of film exchange. Coming discussions should focus on how these synergies should happen. One would've loved to hear Atif speak on how it is to deal in the Indian market, which is a subject every musician in Pakistan is hungry for advice on. But the road Pakistan and India will walk on artistically is a long one and there will be time enough for all this later.

The discussion on the 'Revival of Cinema' threw one point into focus. Attitudes need to be changed. A whole new mind set needs to be brought in for a change to take place and no one can do it alone. Everyone has to make their contribution for things to go forward and the government either needs to stay clear from cultural and artistic activities or give it support and take it as seriously as matters of business and economy. Our leaders need to realize that Indian films are a big part of nearly every household in Pakistan and Pakistanis don't find Indian films objectionable or scandalous. We are a mature society and should decide for ourselves what we want to watch and what we don't want to watch.

The discussion lead in many directions but the bottom line remained the same. Both Indian and Pakistani film industries have something to gain from one another. On both sides of the divide people want to come together and the industries want to work together for mutual benefit. This is the natural progression of things. The coming times promise us a rollercoaster of excitement as viewers as cinema heads out into a brave, new world that is expansive as opposed to isolated.

-The discussion on 'Revival of Cinema' will air on April 11 on Geo Entertainment and April 13 on Geo News

NewYork-wala

April 9th, 2008, 02:27 AM

This film's plot is too advanced and profound for regular South Asians to appreciate. The regular person in South Asia wants to watch the typical Bollywood drivel about a rich/poor guy falling in love with a rich/poor girl (it has to be a class conflict) or just simply a movie which makes Indian schools/colleges look as much like Hanna Montana's high school Musical :lol:

Btw, is there any info on how much the movie made in India? If it made anything at all, I wouldn't say it tanked. Every review I've read from India seems to be positive.

That may be the case in India, but in Pakistan the movie was a big hit. So atleast for now, people in Pakistan are ready for more sophisticated movies with a message.

Infact, other people have noticed this aswell, that Pakistanis havent yet fallen at the alter of "masala" culture. Compare Indian media with Pak media for example.

Plasma.

April 9th, 2008, 04:44 AM

Im not sure if this has been posted and i don't feel like searching the thread.
The Making of "Khulay Asmaan Kay Neechay"

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Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay

vcxCVBJG57s

Allah Allah Dulhan Hamari

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Doesn't look that bad actually.

imran02feb79

April 10th, 2008, 08:09 AM

http://www.jang.net/jm/4-10-2008/images/1712.gif

April 10th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Khuda Kay Liey's release in India will help Lollywood - Naseeruddin Shah

"Lollywood" :no:

Pakia

April 10th, 2008, 05:00 PM

imran02feb79

April 16th, 2008, 09:19 AM

Zilay Shah - A Film by Shan (c) 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Shaan-e-Pakistan.jpg

LAHORE: Famous Pakistani actor Shan has completed his film ‘Zilay Shah’. According to details the film has been shot and now the technical work is underway these days. Post production of the film would be done from India. Shan has great expectations from this movie. The cast includes Shan, Saima, Noor, Rashid Mehmood, Shafqat Cheema and others. The film is produced by Fayaz Khan.

singaporean

April 16th, 2008, 02:31 PM

NEW DELHI — Of all the flattering headlines that greeted the release this month of the first Pakistani film to be shown in India in four decades, one stuck in the mind of its director, Shoaib Mansoor.

“We didn’t know that Pakistan had such good houses,” the headline said, Mr. Mansoor recalled in an interview here.

It was a striking reminder of how little people in India know about their neighbors across the border.

For the past 43 years no Pakistan-made film had been distributed commercially to movie theaters in India until the opening here of Mr. Mansoor’s movie, “Khuda Kay Liye” (“In the Name of God”). That absence has contributed to widespread ignorance in India about contemporary Pakistan, a country set apart by such entrenched political hostility that few Indians have visited it.

The release of the film, which broke all box office records in Pakistan last year, was hailed here as a significant moment in the slowly progressing India-Pakistan peace talks.

The Pakistani government imposed a ban on the distribution and broadcast of Indian movies after the war between the countries in 1965, one of three wars they have fought since the region was split by partition in 1947. No formal reciprocal order was issued by India, but initial political hostility to the idea of showing Pakistani films was superseded in later years by commercial considerations.

In the second half of the 20th century, the Pakistani film industry, known as Lollywood, slipped into severe decline and produced little meriting distribution in India, which is well served by its own film industry, Bollywood.

Despite the ban, pirated copies of Bollywood hits have always been hugely popular in Pakistan. And in 2006, with improving political ties, the Pakistani government gradually began to relax its approach, allowing a limited number of Indian films to be screened legally in theaters.

The effect has been a cultural two-way mirror dividing the countries, with Pakistan able to observe India (or a gaudier Bollywood version of India), but with Indians unable to see beyond their own frontiers.

“Indian films never stopped coming to Pakistan, on DVDs,” Mr. Mansoor said. “So every Pakistani is absolutely clear about the way of life in India, about how everything works in India. But there is nothing coming in the other direction, with the result that India has very clear misconceptions about Pakistan.”

His film was edited in Delhi, where he was “shocked by the ignorance” of Indian colleagues in the cutting room, he said.

“They had very surprising ideas about Pakistan,” Mr. Mansoor recalled. “They asked: ‘Do you have taxis there?’ ‘Can women drive?’ ‘Are women allowed to go to university?’ They thought Pakistan consisted entirely of fanatics and mullahs.”

Aside from their incidental wonderment at the unexpected beauty of Pakistani houses, filmgoers and reviewers have been struck by the insights the film offers into the difficulties of being a liberal Muslim in Pakistan after 9/11.

The film shows two brothers, both talented musicians in Lahore, growing apart as they embrace different readings of Islam. One falls under the influence of the local mullah, abandons his Sufi rock group and his rich, liberal parents in their interior-decorated home and heads off to join the Taliban.

The other leaves Pakistan to study music in Chicago, where he falls in love with the United States and marries an American. But he is then arrested and subjected to Abu Ghraib-style abuse by officials who are suspicious of his Muslim background, erroneously convinced that he played a role in planning the Sept. 11 attacks.

“That is the tragedy that a Muslim faces in these days,” Mr. Mansoor said. “We are beaten up by fundamentalists, with the label that we are too Western, and when we go out of the country, we are labeled as fundamentalists just because we have Pakistani names.”

The acting is patchy, but beneath the numerous plotlines Mr. Mansoor drives home his point that “all Muslims are not terrorists.”

“People need to understand that Pakistanis are not all rabid fundamentalists,” he said.

He has been pleased by the response in India. “People clapped here at the same places people clapped in Pakistan,” he said. “That’s a good sign.”

An Indian critic, Subhash K. Jha, said everyone in India should see the movie “to understand the isolation, to understand what it feels like to be deemed a terrorist, to be frisked extra hard, the pain and the humiliation.

“I don’t think that is easy to understand as a Hindu,” he said.

But he said the film would not have obvious appeal to most Indian viewers.

“Sadly, not too many people will be interested to see a film that reveals life as a Muslim, so its impact will be rather restrained,” he said. “It is not a pot-boiler; it doesn’t have the audience-pulling big stars.”

A Bollywood script writer, Javed Akhtar, described “Khuda Kay Liye” as a “very bold and honest film.”

“Ignorance breeds suspicion and suspicion breeds hate; it creates huge villains,” he said. “There is a lot to be heard and seen by Indian and by U.S. audiences here too.”

The Indian certification board recommended two cuts before approving the film for release, removing a reference to Muslims being killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

But Shailendra Singh, managing director of the Percept Picture Company, which is distributing the film, said the process of bringing it to India had been surprisingly easy, and the initial box office response encouraging. He predicted that the film, which cost $1.5 million to make, would earn $2.5 million over the next three months in India.

“We felt like we were being part of history,” he said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/16/world/asia/16india.html

Wolverine

April 18th, 2008, 03:31 AM

RAMCHAND PAKISTANI TRAILER
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Plasma.

April 18th, 2008, 04:45 AM

^^ Nice, i posted the tralier but it was on the film website, not youtube. Looks very good, i heard it will be coming out in April or May.

pakboy

April 18th, 2008, 07:31 PM

Mansoor to make sequel to Khuda Kay Liye

By Subhash K. Jha, April 18, 2008 - 11:34 IST

After the hard-hitting, Khuda Kay Liye Shoaib Mansoor plans a sequel to the film. However, the project stands to lose because of the nightmarish experiences the middle-aged director went through.

"My kismet was with me. If in Pakistan, we didn't have President Musharraf in-charge of the regime my film would've been in serious trouble. Yes, he openly supported the film. He saw Khuda Kay Liya and made his appreciation and approval so apparent that the work of the censors became quite easy. I don't think my film would have made it into the theatres."

Surprisingly the Pakistani fundamentalists also kept their peace. "The majority of the audience reacted so positively that they didn't have the guts to raise their voice. Also, I covered my bases well. If Naseeruddin Shah's anti-fundamentalist rhetorics had any flaws I'd have been hauled over the coals. I've a fair command over my religion. However if you ask a maulvi about it, he would say I am not Muslim at all specially after seeing my film. But I'd like to say I'm a far better Muslim than any maulvi. Just as they say, they're doing a Jihaad I'd like to think I've done Jihaad through my film. If I've shown so much courage and taken such a personal risk to depict the true meaning of religious faith it's a form of Jihaad born of strong convictions." It isn't as if Shoaib Mansoor thinks it's all peaches-and-creams in the Land Of Dreams. "If you and I travel together you can sail through customs. But I'll be grilled although I dress conventionally. Intolerance is a way of life in every culture. Even today, women are treated as commodities in many countries. Through my leading lady Iman Ali I wanted to show how women are treated."

And now Shoaib Mansoor plans a sequel to Khuda Kay Liye. "But I wonder if I'm equal to the task. I had members of the cast who didn't behave well during the shooting. How can I work with them again? My lead actor Shan gave an interview before the release of Khuda Kay Liye where he said I had made the film only for myself and for my close friends. These commercial actors believe audiences actually want potboilers." So did Shan apologize after Khuda Kay Liye succeeded? "Apologize? He hasn't called me once since the release. The whole of Pakistan has changed their mind about Shan after my film. I Believe I could only realize 50% of my script. I don't want to go through that suffering. Whatever I make, it would've a powerful message. I feel I've to use the cinematic medium to say something meaningful."

Apparently the leading man Shan who's a major star in Pakistan gave Mansoor hell. He evades the question. "Maybe these stars behave the same way with all directors. Later I found out that these stars were being far more disciplined with me than with other Pakistani filmmakers. I wish they'd have looked at Naseeruddin Shah. What convictions and integrity he has! After hearing my script his first condition was, 'I'd do it for free'. My other actors first wanted to know how much money they'd get." Interestingly all the actors except Naseer and Shan in Khuda Kay Liye were feature-film firsts. Shoaib's next film could be an Indo-Pak production. "I'd like that. I feel the predicament regarding religious bigotry is the same in both countries. I feel Pakistan and India are casualties of wrong policies. I wish to address my films to these issues. It's important to bring about an awakening in people. Not that I feel cinema can change mindsets. I don't think Khuda Kay Liye has revised Muslim bigotry."

Shoaib is gung-ho about Jodhaa-Akbar. "The effort and the funds are evident. I was awed by the film's magnitude. I wish I could make a period film like this. History and fiction are my lifelines. I'm very interested in the life of Akbar. And I'm very impressed by Jodhaa-Akbar. My only grouse is that Hrithik Roshan is miscast. It was important to make sure that the actor who plays a historical character is correct in posture and bearing. In my own film too some actors were miscast. But then I wasn't in a negotiable position."

Shoaib admits Khuda Kay Liye got recognition outside Pakistan only at film festivals. "The film went through a nightmare in the US. I had no distribution setup. So I negotiated with some people on the e-mail. On trust, I sent them the prints of the film. They ran the film for a month in the US. And then vanished with the funds and the prints. In fact, I should make a film on my experiences while making the film. For example, the actor whom I initially wanted in the lead Junaid Jamshed was my close friend. I introduced him on television and promoted him to become a top musician in Pakistan. When I offered him the role he said yes eagerly. But then he became a mullah and lost nerve. I lost precious eight months in his dillydallying."

Reacting to the film's box office performance in India, Shoaib says, "I keep myself away from such things. But I wish the film's Indian distributors had treated it with more importance. It's the costliest film ever made in Pakistan. And I raised the funds somehow on my own."
http://www.indiafm.com/news/2008/04/18/11258/index.html

oogabooga

April 19th, 2008, 12:06 AM

:(

He deserves a national award and a hug from Booga! :hug:

April 19th, 2008, 12:53 AM

siamu maharaj

April 19th, 2008, 09:28 PM

Let's be honest, all the actors work for money, so no shame in asking for it. Naseeruddin Shah probably said yes and worked for free coz maybe it was an odd project and also from across the border.

April 20th, 2008, 12:03 AM

NS was just a guest artist...who made an appearence in the last 15 mins or so of the film.

Unregistered

April 22nd, 2008, 11:12 AM

imran02feb79

April 23rd, 2008, 04:37 PM

After KHUDA KAY LIYE, SALAKHAIN arrives from Pakistan

April 7, 2008 5:06:49 PM IST
Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

view KHUDA KAY LIYE movie stills

The doors seem to have been opened wide and clear for films from Pakistan to hit the Indian screens. After KHUDA KAY LIYE, another film from Pakistan, which is being released in India, is SALAKHAIN. However, this time around, the film isn't issue based but is instead a hardcore commercial revenge saga.

SALAKHAIN is an Urdu film set in Lahore. It tells the story of an innocent, hardworking student who comes from a lower middle class family and is in love with an equally innocent and sweet young girl. Soon, he finds himself engulfed in a dispute with the mafia, which facilitates cheating during exams, and he finds himself being arrested. Tragedy strikes as his father dies and his mother too goes mad. How he plots revenge and gets even with his enemies forms the crux of SALAKHAIN.

Released in 2004, the film introduced Ahmad, one of Pakistan's most sought after model and winner of LUX Style Awards 2003 for Best Model, in the lead role. A thriller that ran for one year in Lahore, SALAKHAIN stars Meera as the leading lady.

http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/08/apr/07-after-khudakliye-salakhein-arrives-from-pakistan-040809.asp

imran02feb79

April 23rd, 2008, 04:52 PM

The doors seem to have been opened wide and clear for films from Pakistan to hit the Indian screens and vice versa. And thank god for that. Since nothing was really happening in Pakistan to rescue its dying film industry, the competition local producers are facing after Indian films have been allowed here can only be positive. For the longest time actors and producers like Shan have been commenting on the fact that the masses want the 'danda gandaasa' type films he makes and acts in. Khuda Kay Liye proved that theory wrong and with popular and new Indian films playing in cinemas here, one expects even less of the masses turning towards those low budget Punjabi flicks. There's competition on the horizon and competition can only be healthy.

http://www.musicpakistan.net/images/news/twoway/Veena.gif

Khamosh Paani, made by Pakistani director Sabiha Sumar, released in India in 2005 and was extremely well received but it was a low profile release. Even in Pakistan, Khamosh Paani never managed a massive cinema release. It was restricted to private screenings and created a buzz as the DVD released.

In India, Khamosh Paani received tremendous critical acclaim but from Pakistan, there were no films that could follow. After the KKL hoopla, however, the traffic seems to be picking up. And the second film from Pakistan, released in India, is Salakhain.

A hardcore commercial revenge saga, Salakhain is an Urdu film set in Lahore. It tells the story of an innocent, hardworking student who comes from a lower middle class family and is in love with an equally innocent and sweet young girl. Soon, he finds himself engulfed in a dispute with the mafia, which facilitates cheating during exams, and he finds himself being arrested. Tragedy strikes as his father dies and his mother too goes mad. How he plots revenge and gets even with his enemies forms the crux of the film.

http://www.musicpakistan.net/images/news/twoway/Salaakhein.gif

Released in Pakistan in 2004, the film introduced Ahmad Butt, one of Pakistan's most sought after models and winner of Lux Style Awards 2003 for Best Model, in the lead role. A thriller that ran for one year in Lahore, it also stars Meera as the leading lady. And it goes without saying that Meera may not have found stardom in India, but she did manage to create an identity for herself. Salakhain released in India on Friday.

After a gap of 40 years, Pakistani films are now releasing in India, so it's no mystery that these films will take some time making a market for themselves there. As Bollywood films will readily find an eager audience this side of the border, the same cannot be said of Pakistani films in India. For one, they lack tremendously when it comes to film making. There was once a time, post partition, when Indian and Pakistani films played in cinemas side by side and both did good business. But that was decades ago and since then our film industry has crumbled to bits.

Indrajit Singh, a Mumbai-based distributor, said: "It is very difficult to define the market for Pakistani film because it's a new trend. The film is in Urdu and we are targeting Urdu speaking audiences."

Made at a budget of Pakistani Rs.25 million, Salaakhein grossed about Rs.70 million when released in 2004. It ran for more than 73 weeks in Lahore. And reportedly the director, Shahzad Mughal is expecting decent returns in India too. He is in India to promote the film these days.

"It is an out and out commercial film and the focus is on the faulty education system. It is about the cheating in exams. It is about ambitious students who become victim of people running these rackets. The film is a message for students," Rafique told IANS on phone from Mumbai. "We did the post production of the film in India. For processing and printing work, we went to Thailand," said the director who will also release another film called Mohabattan Sachiyan on May 2.

Inderjit Singh of Innovision Communications Pvt Ltd told PTI that his company had imported the negative of the film-a crime, action drama and is distributing it in India.

"We are distributors and importers of foreign films in India and the idea of bringing in a Pakistani film struck us. Salakhain' producer Rashid Khawja got in touch with us and explained that his film had Indian technicians and the post production work was done in Thailand as he did not get an Indian visa at that time," Singh said.

"I found that Pakistani films were not banned in India whereas our movies were banned in that country. I decided to give this film a try. The producer sent me a DVD of the film and I found it technically having a very Indian look. Hence, I imported the negative of the film and got Censor clearance as well," Singh said.

That is good news for all Pakistani directors and producers and should be an added incentive for film makers as well. The opening up of cinemas will to some extent facilitate the revival of cinema in Pakistan. Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani is on the map as one of the forthcoming Pakistani releases in India. Her film stars Indian actor Nandita Das.
http://www.musicpakistan.net/images/news/twoway/Ramchand-Pakistani.gif

Javaid Sheikh, who has made quite a name for himself in India, will soon be releasing his second film, Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay simultaneously in Pakistan and India. This project does seem underway and one is optimistic that Pakistani cinema will be revived; it's just a matter of time now.
http://www.musicpakistan.net/images/news/twoway/Javed-Sheikh.gif

Mohabbatan Sachiyan featuring the brilliant Veena Malik of Hum Sab Umeed Say Hain and debut actor Adnan Khan was a high budget Punjabi Pakistani film that aimed to cater to the audience in Indian Punjab. It did well in Pakistan but nothing compared to the KKL juggernaut.

Hit Pakistani film Salakhein has released in India. The flick which takes a look at the education sytem is was a commercial success in Pakistan. But will it work in India? Our films cannot compete with India's cinematic brilliance. So they have to compete with novel content.

Opening the flood gates: After the release of Khuda Kay Liye, things for Pakistani cinema are looking brighter than ever. Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani and Javed Sheikh's Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay are slated for release on both sides of the border in the coming months.

http://www.musicpakistan.net/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=196

Intoxication

April 23rd, 2008, 05:25 PM

I was watching this programme by Ali Azmat called "Pappu Yaar Tang Na Ker". In which a guy from the Pakistani film industry said that Pakistani films are aimed at the rural masses. Thats the target audience. Thats why Pakistani films are not popular amongst urban people, who make up almost 40% of the population (highest in the Subcontinent). He also said that the current generation of Pakistan is the "DVD generation" and they prefer to watch movies in their own homes. Even though many good Hollywood movies are shown, but people prefer to watch them at home. So the Pakistani cinemas lose out on revenue.

brightside.

April 24th, 2008, 07:18 AM

I just saw Khuda Ke Liye. What a great movie, I cannot believe this was made by Pakistanis and in Pakistan. Shaan's acting was just great, I really underestimated this guy (not that I've seen any of his other movies). His expressions, delivery of dialoges etc was perfect. Iman Ali did good too.

I was really impressed by the interrogation scene when Shaan explodes at the guy, yelling obscenities and his sense of hopelessnes was really well conveyed.

The weak point of the movie was the court scene. Do they really rely on religious mumbo jumbo to decide cases in Pakistan? I hope not. Also, the NGO's and Mullahs raising a commotion in the court and then beating the shit out of the younger brother, well that sort of stuff dosen't happen in real life because there's always armed police present in the court room. This whole dramatic court scene reminded me of the old Pakistani movies with mediocre scripts in which such court scenes were a regular feature. Also, is there always a hugeass Pakistani flag behind the judge? Is there always more than 1 judge?

But otherwise, the movie was great. The ending was dramatic and made a very relevant point. The symbolic ending of the fanatic taking the mic away from the moderate Muslim was also quite clever.

brightside.

April 24th, 2008, 07:57 AM

According to BoxOfficeIndia.com, KKH reached a high of number 4 on the Indian movie charts.

Right now it is number 5. Not bad at all for the first Pakistani movie to be screened there in modern times. Sales aren't spectacular, but it is not classified as a "flop" or "disaster".

http://www.boxofficeindia.com/cpages.php?pageName=earnings&PHPSESSID=2c6c0ae1aec09fe0d03913ae82ca847f

imran02feb79

April 24th, 2008, 09:07 AM

http://www.lovedil.com/Wallpapers/wallpapers%20lollywood/lollywood%20movies/Mohabbataan%20Sachiyaan/m1.gif

http://www.lovedil.com/Wallpapers/wallpapers%20lollywood/lollywood%20movies/Mohabbataan%20Sachiyaan/m3.gif

http://www.lovedil.com/Wallpapers/wallpapers%20lollywood/lollywood%20movies/Mohabbataan%20Sachiyaan/m2.gif

http://www.lovedil.com/Wallpapers/wallpapers%20lollywood/lollywood%20movies/Mohabbataan%20Sachiyaan/m5.gif

http://www.lovedil.com/Wallpapers/wallpapers%20lollywood/lollywood%20movies/Mohabbataan%20Sachiyaan/m7.gif

imran02feb79

April 24th, 2008, 09:10 AM

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2007-weekly/nos-28-10-2007/instep/images/mainissue_2.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2007-weekly/nos-28-10-2007/instep/images/mainissue_3.jpg

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2007-weekly/nos-28-10-2007/instep/images/mainissue_1.jpg

singaporean

April 27th, 2008, 04:34 PM

http://thepost.com.pk/images/DtlImages/157910.jpg

NEW YORK: One of the world’s prominent film festivals kicked off in which a Pakistani film will be featured among over one hundred entries.

The 2008 Tribeca Film Festival will run up to May 4 and will include 121 feature films and 79 short films representing 41 different countries. The film slate features 53 world premieres, 6 international premieres, and 30 North American premieres.

“Ramchand Pakistani”, a film by director Mehreen Jabbar, which will be featured, is about an eight-year-old boy. The story of the film is about a Pakistani Hindu woman, whose son and husband disappear in the vicinity of the border at Tharparkar one day. The cast is Pakistani, with the exception of Nandita Das, who plays the role of the woman discussed above. Besides that, cast from Pakistan includes Maria Wasti, Xhalay Sarhadi, Shahood Alvi, Noman Aijaz, Rashid Faooqi and Syed Fazal Ahmed (Ramchand Pakistani) among others. The film is in Urdu, but has a Hindi version, too.

New York State Governor David Paterson and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined the co-founder of the festival, Jane Rosenthal, in the opening festivities.

“Great films energize our lives,” said Jane Rosenthal. “We started this festival to heal our neighbourhood and bring the magic of film to the city we love.” “Over the next 11 days we will view the world through the lens of filmmakers, advancing their work as we seek to inspire and entertain our audiences,” she added.

“New York has inspired filmmakers since the industry’s beginning,” said Governor Paterson. “I am proud to have our great state foster an even greater number of productions, and feel fortunate that we have an event like the Tribeca Film Festival to showcase the work of great filmmakers and highlight the importance of this industry in our state.”

“New York City offers the best backdrop in the world to make movies, and every spring, Lower Manhattan offers the best place in the world to celebrate them,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

Pakia

April 27th, 2008, 05:03 PM

^^ Yep I got the tkts for it for next weekend. :banana: Will post my review here!!

The last showing of this movie is on May 3rd, not 4th, just incase. Hoping to meet & chat with mehreen too.

imran02feb79

April 28th, 2008, 08:06 AM

wow ... :)

PAKIA do post your detailed review.
Thanks

Pakia

April 28th, 2008, 10:38 PM

http://media.tribecacinemas.com/images/DONKEYINLAHORE_STILL03_W-01_LOW.jpghttp://media.tribecacinemas.com/images/DONKEYINLAHORE_STILL04_W-01_LOW.jpg

To watch trailer:
http://www.donkeyinlahore.com/

Review in Variety Magazine.
Posted: Wed., Apr. 23, 2008, 12:58pm PTGothenburg
Donkey in Lahore
By ALISSA SIMON
Aussie puppeteer Brian falls in love with Pakistani Muslim Amber in writer-director Faramarz K-Rahber's documentary 'Donkey in Lahore.'

A Film Finance Corp. Australia presentation of a Faraway Prods. production, in association with SBS Independent. (International sales: Faraway Prods., Carrindale, Australia). Produced by Faramarz K-Rahber. Executive producer, Mark Chapman. Directed, written by Faramarz K-Rahber.

With Brian/Aamir, Amber, Aftab, Sadia, Binesh, Brian's parents, Amber's parents, Jodie, Joan.
(English, Urdu, Arabic, Punjabi dialogue)

A naive Australian sets out to marry a sheltered Pakistani in "Donkey in Lahore," a study in patience and perseverance from Iran-born, Oz-based director Faramarz K-Rahber. Like the helmer's previous feature docu, "Fahimeh's Story," it's a fascinating tale involving a mix of cultural difference, marital expectation and family obligation. The DV-shot pic overcomes its low-budget origins to deliver compelling, emotionally resonant viewing, and deserves a place on international broadcast skeds before seguing to DVD, where it could serve as an educational tool for other starry-eyed lovers.
K-Rahber's narration sets up the story. In 2000, Brian, an attractive but impecunious 27-year-old puppeteer from Brisbane and avid member of the local Goth subculture, traveled to Lahore for a festival. There, he met and fell in love with 17-year-old Amber, a devout Muslim.

Over the next two years, Brian and Amber continued their relationship by correspondence. K-Rahber started filming in late 2002, shortly before Brian converts to Islam, taking the name Aamir, in order to be accepted by Amber's family.

Although his intentions are sincere, Brian/Aamir seemingly gives his new identity as little thought as his Goth dress-up. Helping his hippie parents to remember his fresh moniker, he breezily suggests, "Think of it as a meerkat or a mere mortal."

Some three years after they first met, Aamir travels to Pakistan again and enlists Amber's brother-in-law Aftab as his intermediary for the marriage proposal. Since Amber's family speaks no English and Aftab is less than fluent, the discussion results in some frustrating and unintentionally comic miscommunication.

Unfortunately, Aamir's financial situation doesn't permit him to comply with the future in-laws' request that he buy and furnish a house in Lahore for his bride. He proposes to bring Amber to Australia instead, but the process of acquiring her visa is more difficult than he expects.

For visa purposes, Aamir must prove their relationship, so he returns to Pakistan and the pair publicly celebrates their nikah (marriage contract). But there's no wedding night since the oft-delayed ceremony takes place on the eve of his return and he can't afford to change his ticket. En route to the airport, a dismayed Amber learns that his parents both drink alcohol and his sister's a lesbian.

As time passes, the separation continues and tensions mount. Amber and Aamir develop health problems and her family's reputation suffers. When the visa finally comes through, both bride and groom have second thoughts.

K-Rahber knew Brian and his unconventional lifestyle for many years before filming. The helmer's sensitivity and knowledge of Islamic customs earned the cooperation of Amber's family and enabled him to confront his subjects with realistic questions without appearing condescending or judgmental. All Pakistani subjects seem natural in front with of the camera, while Brian/Aamir practically uses it as a psychiatric tool.

Five years in the making, resulting in more than 200 hours of footage, the pic reps a marvel of coherent editing, with the helmer's narration and graphics providing context and moving the story along. A 52-minute cut went out in Oz via SBS.

The eloquent camerawork, predominantly close-ups in close quarters, reveals physical expressions of unease and doubt that the subjects were reluctant to put into words. Apt score by Colin Webber also illustrates the East-West divide.

Title derives from a special puppet Aamir brings to Pakistan, hoping to launch a television series called "Little Donkeys in Lahore," but also has metaphorical resonance.

Camera (color, DigiBeta), K-Rahber, Axel Grigor; editor, Grigor; music, Colin Webber; sound, Webber, David White. Reviewed on DVD, Chicago, April 20, 2008. (In Tribeca Film Festival -- competing; also in IDFA, Gothenburg, Singapore film festivals.) Running time: 117 MIN.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117936869.html?categoryid=31&cs=1
http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/23382/20080424021704/www.variety.com/graphics/photos/reviewd/rdonkey_in_lahore.jpg

STILL TIME TO BUY TICKETS THOSE WHO CAN MAKE IT TO NY NEXT FEW DAYS.

brightside.

April 29th, 2008, 06:29 AM

Review of Zibakhana by an American company DreadMedia.

lNO4vtYOJE8

Loved his comment about our film being better than Bollywood.

pakboy

April 29th, 2008, 07:01 AM

Sipahi Maqbool Hussain (based on True Story)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‘Siphai Maqbool Hussain’, a play that narrates the true story of a Pakistani soldier, Maqbool Hussain, premiered on Tuesday at the Army Auditorium.

The premiere of the play was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani, the chief guest of the event, applauded Hussain’s story for its portrayal of his valour.

Co-produced by the Inter-Services Public Relations and Interflow Communications Limited, ‘Siphai Maqbool Hussain’ touched the hearts of the spectators, as the play delineated the suffering and inhumane treatment of Hussain and the cruelty of his captors, who brutally cut his tongue.

40 years: Hussain, who was injured and taken prisoner by the Indian Army in the 1965 war, spent 40 years in Indian jails. He was released as a civilian prisoner in 2005. During his imprisonment, Hussain was subjected to terrible human rights abuses.

Hailing from Azad Kashmir, and engaged to Naseeran before joining army, Hussain’s aging mother kept waiting for his return. When she died, Hussain’s mother was buried at the entrance of the village at her request, so that she could ‘meet’ her son when he returned.

Haider Imam Rizvi directed the play, while the cast included Raja Haider, Batin Farooqi, Riaz Mastana, Hassan Niazi, Reeja and Ghazala Butt. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan sung the play’s theme song. ‘Siphai Maqbool Hussain’ will also be telecast on Pakistan Television as a weekly serial.

As the story unfolds, Hussain, bearing army No 335139, is shown being hit by enemy fire on the Line of Control at the start of the 1965 war. Subsequently, he is taken prisoner by the Indian army, who deny him Prisoner of War status. Trained in the traditions of the Pakistan Army, Hussain faces all the suffering and refuses to share any information about his country with his captors — so much so that when they cut out his tongue, he writes ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ (long live Pakistan) in his own blood. Hussain also becomes mentally ill during his four decades of incarceration.

When the real Hussain was brought on stage at the end of the performance, he had a blank look on his face and was unable to recognise the army chief, who went on stage and shook hands with him.

pakboy

April 29th, 2008, 07:03 AM

68-year-old former Pakistani soldier, Maqbool Hussain, shuffled onto
the stage, almost unaware of the admiring crowd that quickly got to its feet
as he entered.

Standing up in the front row was Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq
Kayani, head bowed, clapping respecfully.

The occasion was the launching of a tele-serial about the capture of
Hussain during the 1965 war between hostile neighbours India and Pakistan, and
the ordeals that he suffered until he was released forty years later in
2005.

Sipahi Maqbool Hussain, NO. 335139 from Azad Kashmir Regiment, severely
injured, was reported missing in action, presumed dead.

Forty years later, the shuffling, disoriented old man who crossed the Wagah
border in exchange for civilian prisoners was a far cry from the tall,
well-built soldier he once was, and was presumed to be a fisherman like the
rest of the group who returned with him.

But,in his saner moments, he kept writing "No.335139" whenever he
was questioned about his identity.

Weeks later, officials, realizing the significance of the number, handed
him over to the military, under whose care he has been for the past two
years.

But even after months of tender and meticulous medical and psychiatric
care, Maqbool Hussain still prefers to sleep on the floor, shies away from
bright lights and inhabits only a small dark corner of the large VIP suite
that President Musharraf has allotted to him inside a military facility.

Over the months, officers and doctors assigned to him realised that he was
scribbling about his 40-year ordeal in fits and starts, and decided that it
was the stuff that movies were made about.

Director Haider Imam Rizvi, who has dozens of popular television plays and
serials to his credit, told the gathering he and his team had been reduced to
tears several times during the filming of the poignant scenes in the drama
serial.

"In my opinion, the production of 'Sipahi Maqbool Hussain' is more
significant than all the 40 serials that I have produced in my entire
career," Rizvi said.

The 6-episode mini serial, co-produced by ISPR (Inter Services Public
Relations) goes on air on Pakistan Television on April 20.

Note: The one in the centre is sipahi maqbool hussain
http://www.pakstop.com/pmforums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7891&d=1209327308

imran02feb79

April 29th, 2008, 08:42 AM

^^^^
this thread is for "Pakistan's Film Industry", not for drama industry ... :)
anyway thanks for sharing

imran02feb79

April 30th, 2008, 08:54 AM

http://www.jang.net/jm/4-30-2008/images/14_15.gif

imran02feb79

April 30th, 2008, 08:57 AM

Mahreen Jabbar and Nandita Das in Tribeca Film Festival NY

http://www.jang.net/jm/4-30-2008/images/14_05.gif

imran02feb79

April 30th, 2008, 09:10 AM

Ramchand Pakistani
[RAMCH] World Narrative Feature Competition
2008, 105 min
Directed by: Mehreen Jabbar

Interests: Family Issues, Female Directors, Social Issues, South Asian, War

Moods: Cross-Cultural, Elegant, Exotic, Harrowing, Investigative, Poetic,
Political, Sensuous, Tense

Gorgeous colors enhance this tense tale, based on actual events, about a young Pakistani boy who, with his father, inadvertently crosses the border into India. Both wind up in jail for years, while mother (Nandita Das) is left bewildered and alone.

American Express Insider Center: Enjoy a Filmmaker Personality Interview with director Mehreen Jabbar and moderator Aseem Chhabra. April 24, 7:45 PM, at the American Express Insider Center, 27 Union Square West. » Read More

Mon, Apr 28, 6:15PM Village East Cinema 1 (Map)
Tue, Apr 29, 3:45PM AMC 19th St. East 3 (Map)
In your Calendar
Thu, May 01, 8:00PM Village East Cinema 6 (Map)
In your Calendar
Fri, May 02, 9:00PM Village East Cinema 2 (Map)
In your Calendar
Sat, May 03, 6:15PM Village East Cinema 6 (Map)
In your Calendar

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/?c=y&3301=170211&curView=browseDetail&sortBy=title

singaporean

April 30th, 2008, 12:12 PM

NEW YORK, April 29: Sustained applause rang out in a packed downtown cinema house on Monday night at the end of Pakistan’s first-ever film featured in a major international festival film.

Mehreen Jabbar’s poignant “Ramchand Pakistani” drew appreciative comments from knowledgeable New York movie-goers and critics. It is among 121 feature films and 79 short films representing 41 different countries being screened in the Tribeca Film Festival.

The movie, starring Indian actress Nandita Das, is a real-life story of an eight-year-old Pakistani Hindu boy who strays across the Indo-Pakistan border and is captured by Indian police. His father, who goes looking for him, is also arrested and the two spend years in jail after being labelled as spies.

Mehreen’s father Javed Jabbar wrote the story of the film, which he produced.—APP

imran02feb79

April 30th, 2008, 03:33 PM

Ramchand PakistaniIn Urdu with English subtitles.

http://media.tribecacinemas.com/images/RAMCHANDPAKISTANI_STILL02_W_LOW.jpg

[RAMCH] | 2008 | 105 min | Feature Narrative

Directed by: Mehreen Jabbar

World Premiere

Interests: Family Issues, Female Directors, Social Issues, South Asian, War

Moods: 9 Cross-Cultural, Elegant, Exotic, Harrowing, Investigative, Poetic, Political, Sensuous, Tense

www.ramchandpakistani.com
Cast & Credits
Director: Mehreen Jabbar
Principal Cast: Nandita Das, Rashid Farooqui, Syed Fazal Hussain, Maria Wasti, Noman Ijaz, Navaid Jabbar
Screenwriter: Mohammad Ahmed
Producer: Javed Jabbar
Editors: Aseem Sinha, Mehreen Jabbar
Associate Producer: Mariam Mukaty
Director of Photography: Sofian Khan
Music: Debajyoti Mishra

Program Notes
The most haunting frame of Ramchand Pakistani may be its first. Over a black screen, the words appear: adapted from actual events. The world is full of mad facts, but among the maddest is that in 2002, as Indian and Pakistani troops massed against each other on the countries' border, an eight-year-old boy named Ramchand wandered over the invisible line separating his own side of the desert from that of India's and was taken prisoner. Going in search of Ramchand, his father followed him across and was captured as well. They were held in an overcrowded Indian jail for five years. In her first feature film, Mehreen Jabbar lays out the political contexts of Ramchand's situation with exceptional fluidity. Titles at the top establish the geopolitics, and the more localized issues are threaded through early scenes. Most salient of all is the fact that Ramchand's family is part of a Hindu tribe of untouchables, making them both suspect and powerless in Pakistan. Bollywood star Nandita Das thus proves doubly brave for taking the part of Ramchand's mother: Ramchand Pakistani isn't exactly a valentine to India. But the film does have a heart, paying heed to the characters crowding the jailhouse and shaping the child's universe within it. Playing the younger Ramchand, Syed Fazal Hussain proves one of those miracle discoveries-he's a real kid, all piss and vinegar and shaking vulnerabilities-and Jabbar does well to dwell on his face as much as she does. Special note must also go to cinematographer Sofian Khan, who shoots both the actors and the ravishing desert scenery with an elegant, wide-angled tenderness. The world is, after all, full of mad facts-but full of beauty, too.

American Express Insider Center: Enjoy a Filmmaker Personality Interview with director Mehreen Jabbar and moderator Aseem Chhabra. April 24, 7:45 PM, at the American Express Insider Center, 27 Union Square West.

--Peter Scarlet

Pakia

May 1st, 2008, 05:43 AM

Mahreen Jabbar's interview with an Indian jounalist Aseem Chabara, on April 24, in American Express center, NYC.

After clicking, scroll all the way down to find her interview about her movie.
http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/americanexpress/

imran02feb79

May 3rd, 2008, 07:55 AM

http://www.jang.net/jm/5-3-2008/images/1713.gif

imran02feb79

May 3rd, 2008, 08:23 AM

GULABO
FAMILY FILM

The resuscitation of cinema houses and a revival of cine-goers' interest in Pakistani movies are now cognizable among art-loving persons. It is all because our film industry as a whole, with the renaissance of artistic achievement and enthusiasm of film producers, directors, music directors, writers and lyricists, is doing a great job.
The small screen, cable, CDs and DVDs had already confined cine-lovers to the four walls of their homes; expensive living conditions, too, discouraged cinema aficionados from watching films on the silver screen. That is why cinema houses lost their numbers very quickly. Apart from all the afore-mentioned impediments, our film industry has been facing many challenges for a long time. First, it had to counter western films and now it is the advent of Indian films... so it is rather difficult, for we and our neighbors are twins as far as art and culture are concerned.
Our filmmakers have accepted this challenge and are countering it very successfully. Naturally, it can be done by those who along with the talent, wisdom and skill, have deep-rooted nationalism. As good luck would have it, our filmmakers and artistes are fully equipped and lack nothing that is necessary to meet the latest challenges in the film world.
Gulabo is a glittering example of this. It is going to be a great success in achieving all the targets that make a film a real blockbuster, record-making, box-office film. Cine-lovers can't prevent themselves from watching this film on the big screen in cinema houses. It is going to be a trendsetter in the art of modern filmmaking that fulfills all the requirements of the modern film industry; it is definitely going to be par excellence and by no means inferior to any Indian film.
Renowned authoress Razia Butt, after a hiatus of 37 years, penned a family story that contains all aspects of a full-blown entertainer. Previously, she has written stories for several other films, namely Naila and Saiqa, which were blockbusters at the box office.
Nazia Aslam, who wanted to produce just such a film as this, worked hard and made this film according to her own high expectations and also to fulfill the demands of the increasingly discerning audience. The filming has been completed under the banner of Nimra Entertainment Company. Sangeeta touched the height of perfection while directing this film. The three women jointly created this film and this makes it a unique venture in itself. The music director is Saeed Gillani while singer Azra Jehan gives it a sweet charm with her captivating voice.
Gulabo is a complete family film with Shan, Babar Ali, Shamil Khan, Saima, Resham, Durdana Rehman, Qaiser Zari, Raheela Agha, Rashid Mehmood, Fareeha Jabeen, Iftikhar Thakur, Nasir Chinioti, and others.

http://magtheweekly.com/1/lollywood.php

brightside.

May 3rd, 2008, 08:48 AM

It's great to see the revival of Pakistani cinema. I hope the directors and writers focus on the Western cinematic style instead of the campy Bollywood which has no substance nor sophistication.

imran02feb79

May 4th, 2008, 02:39 PM

Pakistani model-turned-actor Iman Ali will play Noorjahan in Muzzaffar Ali’s next directorial venture titled Noorjahan-Jehangir.

A source from Pakistan said, “Recently, Muzzaffar Ali was in Pakistan scouting locations for his next film. There is a lot of excitement in Pakistan over the release of Hindi films and the Pakistan film industry is also quite happy that their first film Khuda Kay Liye has been well received in India.”

The source added, “Muzzaffar Ali has finalised the lead female actor but is yet to decide on the film’s male lead. Jahangir had spent some time in Lahore during his ruling years and it is said that Noorjahan was from some place close to Lahore.”

When contacted to know more about Noorjahan-Jehangir, Iman Ali, who is currently in India, said, “From where did you get to know about it?” When asked if she is indeed doing the film or has been approached to play the role of Noorjahan, she said, “I don’t want to comment. I think the best person to answer this will be Muzzaffar.”

Muzzaffar Ali said, “It is going to be a historical but it is too early to speak about it.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/images/2007/07/20070708085926iman_ali_film203.jpg

http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_Buzz/Muzzaffar_Ali_is_back/articleshow/2945466.cms

imran02feb79

May 6th, 2008, 08:26 AM

where r u PAKIA ?

we are anxiously waiting for your detailed review about "Ramchand Pakistani."

imran02feb79

May 6th, 2008, 03:48 PM

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff/news-views/Das_emRamchand_Pakistaniem_Make_an_Impact.html

http://media.tribecacinemas.com/images/Nandita-DasJaved-Jabbar.jpg

The South Asian community was out in force for the premiere of Mehreen Jabbar’s (pictured right) Ramchand Pakistani on Monday night, and though the crowd was certainly engaged by the all-too-topical true story, in which eight-year-old Ramchand accidentally wanders over the Pakistani border with India and winds up imprisoned for almost five years, it was star Nandita Das (pictured left) who had the packed theater in the palm of her hand.

Das drew an ovation for her almost-wordless performance as Ramchand’s mother, Champa, and got another round of applause upon opening her mouth to riff on Jabbar’s explanation of how she lassoed the Bollywood superstar into her debut feature. “I told Mehreen that I’d do the film, but only if I could play Ramchand,” quipped Das, who went on to note that this was, in fact, her second time performing for Jabbar, following a short film the two women had worked on together.

According to the director’s father, Javed Jabbar, who also produced Ramchand Pakistani, Das isn’t the only person with Ramchand-envy. After fielding several questions about the fraught—though improving—relationship between India and Pakistan, and seconding his daughter’s wish for the film to help expose the plight of the many “forgotten prisoners” held by each country, Jabbar noted that one recent event in particular suggested that Ramchand Pakistani may already be making an impact. “Two Pakistani boys got fed up with their parents and decided to run away to India,” he said, a look of bemusement crossing his face. “They dug a tunnel underneath the border fence, and when they reached the other side, of course, they were detained by Indian soldiers. But perhaps because they knew that Ramchand was about to premiere,” he added, “the Indians let the boys go after only four days.” Lesson learned, no doubt.

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/tff/news-views/Das_emRamchand_Pakistaniem_Make_an_Impact.html

Intoxication

May 6th, 2008, 04:35 PM

where r u PAKIA ?

we are anxiously waiting for your detailed review about "Ramchand Pakistani."

Pakia has let us down! No feedback from him. :ohno:

brightside.

May 7th, 2008, 02:20 AM

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs22/f/2008/002/9/1/Poster_D_by_khalavi.jpg

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs24/f/2008/002/4/5/Parcham_Poster_C_by_khalavi.jpg

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs23/f/2007/356/d/4/Parcham_Poster_B_by_khalavi.jpg

http://fc05.deviantart.com/fs22/f/2007/356/b/f/Parcham_Poster_A_by_khalavi.jpg

Not sure what this is about or when it's out. It is going to be an animated movie.

Pakia

May 7th, 2008, 03:05 AM

I didn't think anyone was particularly interested in the movie or my review of it other than Imran whom I would have phoned to talk about it anyway.

Anyway I got to meet Mehreen & her dad Javaid and have a quick chat along with couple other people.

Her dad, the movie producer, before the movie began, gave a small introduction talk to the audience about the movie & how it came about. He has been involved in NGO work in Thar area for some time and had personally come across the people on whom the movie is based. He declared the movie to be all Pakistani but only with collaborations with Indian composer/singer & ofcourse Nandita Das.

http://www.ramchandpakistani.com/images/SlideFazal.jpg

I would not like to ruin it for you and hope all of you get to see it.So I'll give only a teaser review.
The movie was somewhat low budget but very powerful. It was a treat for the eyes, ears & heart.
Though the story overall was sad and tugged on your heart or made you shed a tear or two. But it also had many very funny moments from prison guys politics to fartings where you would roar with laughter or make you think of stupid things that we all do in the name of religion or stereotyping otheres no matter who you may be.
Acting was superb by all esp the 2 young men who play the main character at age 8 & 12. Nandita as a distraught mother & wife gave a quiet but intense perfomance but Maria Wasti as upper-caste Mumbai-wali police woman was equally impressive. Noman Aijaz as a street vendor muslim was good too but Zhalay Sarhadi was totally wasted as a friend of Champa.

There were layers of personalities in the characters as is the case generally in real life. Most of them are capable of kindness and sometimes are surprised at their own infatuations with even the enemies.

There were details in little things that were most impressive. It may have been the ladoo that Aijaz gives to Champa in return for her unspoken love for him and her savoring it in the middle of the night when everyone is sleep.

Or it could be the Indian prison guard who let Ramchand ride his police bike. Or Kamla who lets Ramchand sit on the chair next to her & watch Sri Devi's film Chandni, her favorite.
Later she lands a kiss on Ramchand's cheek, making him all gooey & happy.

What I liked most in the movie were the little things and cmplexity of characters.

The scenery of Thar, was very beautiful esp. in the beginning. Simple lifestyles, hindu wedding scene, holi & other hindu rituals of Sindh seem well-researched and realistic.

The film seemed very balanced and not biased toward one country or the other. But took pains to show good & bad on both sides. For example the mota moti Indian prisoner who first get severe hasing by Ram's father shanker for offering the kid a cigarette, later shows affection & respect to them too.
MUSIC was absolutely wonderful and haunting

I predict the move to be a HUGE HIT in both Pakistan and even India. The performances of every single were great, and would prove to have a positive impact atleast on the plight of all the imprisoned Indians Pakistanis in eachother jails.

Its a MUST WATCH and should probably win a few awards.

At the end of the movie, Mehreen was introduced by another film maker of NY and held a 20 minute question-answer session with the audience, who had applauded the movie throughout esp. at the end.

The movie theater was packed, mostly non-desi people. We, my partner & my niece, were in the first few rows. I reminded Mehreen to mention her websites for future ventures by faking a question, for which later she thanked me as she would have forgotten to mention them which her father had told her earlier in front of us to do so.

We had left our cameras behind but I took her pic on my cell before we rushed into the movie and I'll upload it here later.

So go & see the movie.

Pakia

May 7th, 2008, 03:23 AM

For my review of movie Ramchand, please see the previous post #820 :)

Bhoj prison scene was reenacted in an old Karachi School with the help of the people who worked in that Indian prison and her few visits there.

The actual characters were present at the filming for about two weeks and gave their input too. They were also helped financially to lend their story for the movie. The young Ramchand is in a Mirpur Khas school now.

They even filmed in the actual village that the people had lived in and even their hut was used in many scenes.

Her next project is a Pak TV serial, name yet undecided.

She is negotiating the release of the movie simultaneously in both India & Pakistan and would announce the date of release hopefully in two weeks.

Later it would be gradually released in other countries.

Next stop for the movie is Seatle film festival.

brightside.

May 7th, 2008, 05:04 AM

Thanks for the review. Can I see it anywhere in DC?

Ramchand Pakistani in New York!

Following the footsteps of Shoaib Mansoor, Mehreen Jabbar now joins the rank of film makers who are out to make movies with substance; and the substance always pays off! Recently, Mehreen's movie Ramchand Pakistani was showcased at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, New York. There were some 200 films that entered into the festival, amongst which Ramchand Pakistani was the only movie from Pakistan. Woah! Good going Mehreen.

The story of the movie revolves around a young boy who mistakenly enters India after crossing the Indo-Pak border, and is taken as a prisoner. With Nandita Das and Rashid Farooqui among the leading cast of the movie, no one can really doubt the strong performances. Coming back towards the festival; some 41 countries are participating in it which makes it a true honour for our lady director to come up with her entry. Not to forget that it's her directorial debut on big screen. Well, we all are just waiting to watch it on our big screens too. So girl, soon bring the movie back home after the festival.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/may2008-weekly/you-06-05-2008/images/p4_2_3.jpg

You magazine (http://jang.com.pk/thenews/may2008-weekly/you-06-05-2008/index.html#9)

Wolverine

May 7th, 2008, 05:37 AM

http://www.zbrushcentral.com/zbc/attachment.php?attachmentid=80053

imran02feb79

May 7th, 2008, 08:55 AM

Thank you so much PAKIA .... for such a superb review .... :)
I am very happy ... atleast we have started making movies that can be placed anywhere internationally. :banana::banana::banana:

I am also proud as you were among those who attended the premier and watched this movie, and of course you were representing SSC. :) :cheers:

Plasma.

May 7th, 2008, 06:50 PM

Pakia

May 7th, 2008, 07:07 PM

That would be great if this turns into a popular animation movie.

Hats off to Khurram. Here is his version of Iqbal's Shaheen!

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/228755/228755_1199481935_submedium.jpg

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/228755/228755_1199481588_submedium.jpg

http://features.cgsociety.org/gallerycrits/228755/228755_1202222685_submedium.jpg
Parcham : Itihaad mera muqsad hai (Unity is my goal)

Intoxication

May 7th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Plasma.

May 7th, 2008, 11:11 PM

http://media2.kezfun.net/pictures/723/b_bigredx.jpg

Not working.

s6demon

May 8th, 2008, 02:27 AM

awesome. cant wait to find some of these movies. they truely look good.

brightside.

May 8th, 2008, 03:56 AM

Anyone have any info about this? Might be a play or movie, not sure.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2468639570_c47aa74e09_b.jpg

Pakia

May 8th, 2008, 03:57 AM

Thanks for the review. Can I see it anywhere in DC?
You magazine (http://jang.com.pk/thenews/may2008-weekly/you-06-05-2008/index.html#9)

Check the movie website for updates or mehreenjabbar.com

Thank you so much PAKIA .... for such a superb review .... :)
I am very happy ... atleast we have started making movies that can be placed anywhere internationally. :banana::banana::banana:

I am also proud as you were among those who attended the premier and watched this movie, and of course you were representing SSC. :) :cheers:

You're welcome. And yes I did bring up SSC & UrbanPk to her and asked her to register there but she said she won't be able to. Though Matthew & Joseph, 2 Americans who worked on the movie too, While walking with us to the Polish restaurant across the street, said they may check out SSC.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/MARIJ01/mj.jpg?t=1210207967
Thats her dad Javiad, the producer, behind her.
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/MARIJ01/tri.jpg?t=1210208010
I even remembered you guys in New York. Do you think I need help?
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/MARIJ01/newyorkmay08023.jpg?t=1210208052
Ooga thats my niece's hand, not mine. Just incase you think of some wisecrack.

brightside.

May 8th, 2008, 03:59 AM

whoa cool shots! especially the last one. Would have been bomb if if you put "hello SSC MP" but it's still very cool :tongue2:

Plasma.

May 8th, 2008, 05:46 AM

I even remembered you guys in New York. Do you think I need help?
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/MARIJ01/newyorkmay08023.jpg?t=1210208052
Ooga thats my niece's hand, not mine. Just incase you think of some wisecrack.
That would have been my wisecrack if you hadn't told us! :hilarious

siamu maharaj

May 8th, 2008, 08:59 AM

That pic's funny, coz NYC's pretty much 'helloing' itself.

oogabooga

May 8th, 2008, 04:35 PM

brightside.

May 10th, 2008, 07:26 AM

CQpZiXPhfl4

imran02feb79

May 10th, 2008, 08:40 AM

Freedom Sound is flawed

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Since the teaser was aired by city fm 89 last year the film has been creating quite a buzz, so we at Mazaqah thought it was about time we catch up with the Sheban Zaidi the creator of the film to check on how are they getting on with the post production and get to know him as an individual and a film maker.

Tell us a bit about yourself a brief biography?
I was born in Karachi and undertook my primary and secondary election there. My heart truly belongs to that city. My family has moved around a bit. I graduated from Oberlin College with majors in Cinema Studies in Cinema Studies & English and attended film school at NYU/TISCH. Working in production is my calling and what I feel is the best method to serve, my passion, however is football. It has always filled me with pride to play for Karachi United. Above all things I am a secularist.

Tell us a bit about the work you have done so far.
My first major project after graduating from school was working as an editor on the theatrically released and critically acclaimed documentary Any town USA (Released by SIRK productions in New York). I went on to direct the short films Kyaari & Pariah that screened at multiple film festivals (including the Kara Film Fest). In 2005 I was commissioned by the Visible Collective to direct a film for the Disappeared In America project. I directed commercials (Bank Al Fallah Cup etc.) and corporate documentaries (for Engro)… boy’s got to pay the bills. I directed some commercials pro bono at cost for the Young Leaders Conference and worked closely with Director Nadir Shah on a number of projects. I was part of the production crew of A Mighty Heart directed by Danny Boyle. In the last year I have directed some corporate projects in Chicago and am currently working on a documentary project for five% Sessions, a jazz music organization. I just finished a short film for a British project about identity. And of course there is Freedom Sound.

What is Freedom Sounds all about?
Well Freedom Sound was a lot about freedom of expression in Pakistan. City FM 89 has worked harder for free expression in Pakistan than any other radio station. I have always been appalled that the constitution of Pakistan does not allow free expression. And Freedom Sound is meant to be about how inspirational the ability to listen and the ability to inform are. Albeit it a flawed attempt on my part but that is what the essence of the piece is meant to be.

He admits there are a number of reasons although he admits budgetary reasons and his own lack of experience that contributes towards it.

What brought about the concept?
Nadir and I had been talking about using a fantastical setting through which to address real social and ideological problems. Fictional and engaging storytelling being the method to make these ideas most accessible to people and since the nature of the project was in keeping with the quest of City Fm89 we were fortunate to have their support.

How would Sci-fi go down with the wider audience do you think.

I think Sci-Fi would be brilliant for Pakistan… I think it’ll push our imaginations further. There might be a real appetite for that and perhaps an amalgamation of Sci-Fi with some of the brilliant Indus imagery. People are welcome to steal this idea from me if they can do a better job with it… the goal is to get quality entertainment out there regardless of the source.

I came across the director’s notes and felt that the concept behind the movie is spiritual and political, am I right or have no clue what I’m talking about.
You absolutely have a clue. But I’m careful to use the term “spiritual” I think it is too easily misinterpreted. And more than anything I am a secularist. But definitely an attempt on my part at least of making a political and social statement. It’s a very simple message… perhaps a bit too simple and trite in some of it’s elements.

When is it set for release?
We are still struggling through some semantics and I can’t in honesty offer an exact release date. The support, excitement and peoples’ desire to see the final piece is very encouraging. I personally think it’s a very flawed project, and if we could Nadir and I would do a lot of things differently with it.

After getting the scoop we decided talk about how arts is perceived the Pakistani society and what does he think the future holds for lollywood.

Is the revival of Pakistani cinema possible?
It’s possible. But too many people don’t take the responsibility of filmmaking seriously. Much of what is offered is disingenuous and exploitative. I look at the subjects for some of the films about to be released (even by people who I have worked with) and they seem to orientalise the subject matter. Some of it reflective of how people see cinema as a means to gain fame and not so much as the social tool it is meant to be. I am not suggesting Freedom Sound is a pure or perfect endeavour. Also cinema won’t be revived by the petite bourgeoisie; it has to be embraced by the masses. And thus a cultural awakening of the masses, which should in part be caused by cinema, will in return bolster the industry itself. How education spreads through Pakistan in the next decade, how safe people feel going to the cinema and all people not just men… all of that has a lot to do with how well cinema will do in Pakistan in the near future. And at the end of the day any of us with a camera in Pakistan we have a responsibility to be documentarians and storytellers but also guides. And for that we must not be too hasty to put out films before we have developed our vision.

Is Art a luxury or a necessity?
It is an absolute necessity. And true art. War is the measure of expanding civilization but art is the measure of a flourishing civilization. It is the mark of bravery and the assurer of progression. With art we learn to expand our perception and thus understand. I think so many societies achievement grows out of art. The Velvet Revolution in Eastern Europe, the part that Blues played in the Civil Rights movement in America… or how the Mughals used art and architecture to ensure peace and mark prosperity. No people prosper without art. I think we treat it like a luxury sometimes because we want it to remain exclusive and keep it away from the common people to maintain oppression. Part of Pakistan’s affluent society has been terrible for art; they’ve suppressed true art and promoted faux-art to maintain their own relevance.

Would we see you directing music videos or commercials?
I think I might stay away from music videos… unless there is a song I truly like and think I can truly indulge in some fun storytelling. I’ve already worked on commercials… I’m working on a viral commercial for an apparel company in Chicago. I worked with Nadir Shah on some of the commercials he directed in Pakistan.

Any Heroes.
Oh tons… my life are filled with figures of inspiration. My father… one of the strongest people I knew… my grandfather… he was a graduate of Aligarh University a huge proponent of education and just the gentlest person I have known. Alex Ferguson, Eric Cantona, Martin Luther King Jr, Jean Luc Godard, John Quincy Adams, Jinnah… this list could get a bit long. I think humanity has been fortunate to have so many figures that remind of the best of what we can achieve.

Mighty heart how was the experience.
I was a huge fan of Michael Winterbottom’s style of filmmaking so it was a thrill to get to work with him so closely. I liked In This World and Trishtam Shandy much more than A Mighty Heart, but working with him and his crew was a wonderful experience.

Which director would you like to assist, from anywhere around the world?
I would love to work with Abbas Kiarostami from Iran… he is a truly special filmmaker who has developed his own cinematic language. Danny Boyle… I love his work… I’d happily hold his coffee. And Shermeen Obaid is a friend of mine and has been wonderfully supportive and because of a number of reasons I haven’t been able to work with her yet. And while I think she’s still working on perfecting her voice… I think a lot of what she has done is admirable.

Sheban Zaidi certainly sounds like someone with a sensible head on shoulders. Good too see that he realizes the important of cinema that entertains people rather then just using it as a means of education. We at Mazaqah wish him all the best and look forward to all the cinematic brilliance he has to offer.

http://lollywoodhungama.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/freedom-sound-is-flawed-sheban-zaidi/

brightside.

May 10th, 2008, 08:59 AM

I've been waiting for a release date for Freedom Sound for a good while now.

Pakia

May 18th, 2008, 09:50 PM

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May 25th, 2008, 01:46 PM

ABU DHABI, May 24: A Pakistani documentary has won the highest award at a competition in Abu Dhabi.

“Dinner with the President”, a film produced by Sabiha Sumar, was conferred the Grand Award (Gold), carrying an amount of 500,000 dirhams, at the first-ever international documentary competition in the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Speaking in Urdu and English after receiving the award, Sabiha Sumar said: “I hope that people will understand our country better after watching the documentary.

“It is a big honour for me to receive the award. The documentary competition is a first step for the promotion of documentaries, but a major and wonderful step,” Sabiha said.

“Dinner with the President” was among 14 films shortlisted by the jury from a field of 136 entries -- 115 of them from the UAE alone.

In his speech, United Arab Emirates’ Higher Education Minister Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak al Nahyan said the day was not far when the emirates and the entire region would have a major film industry.

“Guavera A’ash, an Egyptian production, was adjudged the second best documentary.

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Photographs/2008/05/25/004/25_05_2008_004_005_004.jpg

brightside.

May 26th, 2008, 12:36 AM

Can mods change the title to say "Pakistans Film and TV industry"? Don't think there should be a separate thread for the latter.

A blooper weekend

For some odd, insane reason channel heads believe that they can first show teasers and promos, and then put the most idiotic blooper collection together to pull in viewership on weekend Prime Time. So we sit there not watching grand locations or captivating camera work, but just 40 minutes or so of how someone forgot to say their lines. The mystery has gone, curiosity killed instead of the cat and all we know is that everybody had a ball shooting the serial. Pity the storyline bombed.

BY FOUZIA MAPARA

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Entertainment channels are in fierce competition to bring the best of drama serials; after all it is the best way to pull in a loyal audience and advertising. All good. But what is now getting to the point of madness is the production and airing of the ‘making’ of these plays. Adding insult to injury is the ‘making’ that is shown before the serial goes on air, thus damaging all mystery, intrigue and curiosity.
After being tortured with the launch of Atiqa O came the making of Mere Paas Paas 2 and Khamoshiyan, all on the same weekend.

For some odd, insane reason channel heads believe that they can first show teasers and promos, and then put the most idiotic blooper collection together to pull in viewership on weekend Prime Time. So we sit there not watching grand locations or captivating camera work being shot or mammoth sets being put together for an epic production, but just 40 minutes or so of how someone forgot to say their lines. The mystery has gone, curiosity killed instead of the cat and all we know is that everybody had a ball shooting the serial. Pity the storyline bombed.

An average ardent drama buff like me likes to step into the fantasy world of all the characters — heroines, vamps, protagonists. I like to go into their world, imagine that somewhere these characters live and breathe and go through turmoil, trials and tribulations of life like all of us. Now I know for a fact that was blatantly rubbed into my face that it is just a play. It could be fun watching the making afterwards once you have revelled in the drama, wallowed in the situations, lived the intense moments and obsessed about the plausibility of the situations depicted.

The much-hyped sequel of Mere Paas Paas went on air not with a bang but a sad whimper, as the very first scene of the first episode came on, the screen showed five years latter! Former? Latter? Or later oops…..our directors are forever trying to compete with Indian productions, I wish they would just learn how the Indians give attention to basic detail, and coming from Misbah Khalid, how can anybody overlook something like that?

The story so far looks very contrived with the cheesy relationship with the ex-husband. Was there really a need for a sequel? Where do they make mushy husbands like Moammar Rana, the embodiment of love, peace and tolerance?

Khamoshiyan is stylish in dialogue, presentation and storyline with lots of angrezi insertions (certainly not absurd ones like in Sadia Imam’s Sirf Aik Baar). By the third episode, one is ready to overlook Sania Saeed’s wore a frumpy yellow and pink frocks and those awful ankle-length boots both indoors and outdoors (since the story is desis in pardes i.e.London, if I am not wrong?) because she is absolutely smashing in the very challenging role that she has committed herself to.

Asif Raza Mir’s sons look like promising talent and hope they grow up real fast because we need more eye candy plus talent combos like Imran Abbas. Faisal Rehman is once again seen in a ‘marriage in turmoil role’. The winning directorwriter duo of Babur Javed-Sameera Fazal reminds me of Mohsin AliHaseena Moin where the team meant a sure hit for Khamoshiyan has certainly broken the silence and looks like its going to be Hum TV hat trick hit after Man-o-Salwa and Mane Na Ye Dil Finally, Resham is in the right role as she totally surrenders herself to the role of the leading lady in Sangeeta’s Muthi Bhar Chawal (MBC). The Lollywood leading lady-turned-director certainly knows how to get histrionics out of Resham who seems a bit restrained in other roles. With the way Babar Ali roughs her up all the time, the human rights’ people might actually protest. The scene where Taluka (Babar Ali) dies was so well shot that it looked like a scene out of documentary. Camera work, title song by Attaullah Khan Essa Khelvi and the rustic backdrop all gel very well here in MBC.

The ISPR is very actively doing PR these days and all initiatives with TV channels are brilliant. Wonder if Zaid Hamid in Brass Tacks is an ISPR initiative, too? The man has incredible knowledge and passion, and makes a whole lot of sense. Someone should put him on a loudspeaker on the street to drum sense into everyone’s head.

Sherdil on ARY is pushing along but what made an instant hit was TV One’s powerful gripping and emotionally-charged Sipahi Maqbool Husain that has been beautifully scripted by Wasi Shah and directed by Haider Imam Rizvi. Based on the true story of a soldier captured in the 1965 war, the serial is about courage and needs courageous viewers to bear with the graphic blood, gore and brutality. Now that the channels are enjoying freedom with/without responsibility, they should use some kind of rating for violence, parental guidance and adult connotation.

While still on TV One, they desperately need a spell check, especially on Kasauti. It is degrading for such a slick revival show to display atrocious spelling errors in the names of the personality, animal, character or building in question. Noor Jehan’s pigeon was spelt ‘pe gion’ and Steffi Graff was described as a ‘tenes’ player. That’s quite pathetic given the fact that TVOne is an offshoot of a top advertising agency which is otherwise conspicuous in their presentations, show titles, sets and programme IDs. Even Zaid Hamid wasn’t spared as his surname appeared without a capital ‘H’! It’s no big secret that Sirf Aik Baar unabashedly copies Indian soaps. They are now focusing on the disfigured face of Sehereen’s sister which is quite unpleasant to look at, especially with loud camera work and close-ups from different angles. Sadia Imam plays a version of the infallible goody two shoes, Parvati, of the Star Plus soap, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki.

Pyaasi leaves us parched as the big heart break in Sajeela’s life transforms to another love affair, this time with the weirdo Hamad (somebody please tell Aijazz Aslam that it is now quite normal for men in showbiz to wax unsightly hair on arms and chest).

The story has gone haywire after a good start because wherein Paksitan do young stewardesses with rustic roots stay in hotels all on their own for days on end? Maybe it is what novelist Bushra Rehman or her young women readers of that time aspired to be and dreamt of such glorious independence.

Sajeela the village belle gets married in court with no relatives or friends anywhere. The couple move into a house which is actually a stand alone beach hut with a pye dog in the back ground. As Hammad is shown sitting on on the beach, a big fly hit the camera lens. It is then that he gets news of Sajeela’s plane crashing and he screams his lungs …I couldn’t take it anymore. The serial is for very gullible viewers.

Mona Lisa is perfect in her role which has a challenging emotional variation and also perhaps the only reason that pulled in all the advertising in the commercial breaks. Let me be honest, Pyaasi has a great storyline but suffers from poor adaptation.

Hum TV’s Problem No Problem produced by Khalid Ahmed and Adil Wadia who also plays the lead role of the psychiatrist is refreshing comedy. It is fresh and funny, and from the typical Parsi doctor’s furniture in the clinic to Adil Wadia’s performance, the attention to detail is commendable.

What grownups work so hard on, kids sometimes can pull off so easily. Bolun Ke Na Bolun on Wikkid Plus is a very funny show with a unique concept. Salman’s simple conversation and the kids’ spontaneous replies are an absolute delight to watch. Can’t think of another anchor who could be at such ease with the kids without being cheesy. The show with its simplicity and freshness beats all the contrived comedies on from various channels. ¦

DAWN images (http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=25_05_2008_421_006)

brightside.

May 26th, 2008, 12:38 AM

Jago Hua Savera redeemed

BY UZMA MAZHAR

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On the December 31, 1957, an event now a part of cinema history took place at Shaitnol that is a tiny fishing village on the banks of River Meghna, 30 miles from Dacca, the capital of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan).
In the darkness of New Year’s Eve lit by kerosene and gas lamps, the first shot of Jago Hua Savera (Day Shall Dawn) was taken. Produced by Nauman Taseer who also gave the music along with Timir Baran and Rahat, chief assistant to the director was Shanti Kumar Chatterjee with the able direction by Aaejay Kardar who had also written the screenplay and with the story, dialogue, lyrics by renowned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The art film was completed in the summer of 1958.

Jago Hua Savera boasted of a foreign crew with the wellknown director of photography (DoP) Walter Lassally and Sadhan Roy, Sound J. Fletcher and Editor Bill Bovet. Another interesting aspect of the film was the cast who were all nonactors from the fishing village appearing in front of the camera for the first time.

This classic award-winning film originally premiered in London 50 years ago, and was recently showcased in Karachi at the Arts Council Theatre.

Carrying a storyline which one can relate to even today, the film talks about the human spirit that can endure any kind of hardship that comes in its way. It is the story of Mian with a growing family and a crippled wife, and of Ganju ridden by T.B. and burdened with an aging mother. It is also the story of Kasim young and strong, and Lal Mian who either helps or thwarts the simple fishermen as the needs of his own interests dictate.

The credit of bringing Jago Hua Savera, celebrating its 50th year, back to Pakistan goes to Anjum Taseer, son of the film-maker Nauman Taseer who felt the need to revive this film as it carries a human story which still resonates.

For Anjum it was also a matter of keeping his late father’s memory alive, in turn giving a tribute to the brilliant creation that was Jago Hua Savera.

Along with him the credit also goes to Frenchman Philippe Jalladeau whose passion is films and is on a mission to promote films from around the world and help develop a library of archives. ¦

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Photographs/2008/05/25/422/25_05_2008_422_002_011.jpg

Here Philippe Jalladeau talks to Images about Jago Hua Savera, his passion for films and his special interest in films from Pakistan.

Who is Philippe? A director, an enthusiastic film buff or a man on a mission trying to create an ever important archive for any film making country?

I lecture on cinema all around the world as I was a teacher of cinema in France. Teaching historic cinema, script writing and now I have plans to make my own films.

I am also the director of Festival des 3 Continents held annually for seven days in Nantes, France. It is an international film festival devoted to the presentation of fiction films and documentaries directed by film directors from Africa, Asia, Black and Latin America. It has been 40 years since I have been running this festival. We are in the 30th edition which will be held in November 2008.

I have always been interested in knowing different cinematography’s and I like supporting that because I feel they deserve to be known. I think that the world is getting compact and we need to introduce different cultures from every country through the medium of cinema.

What made you focus on Pakistan?

I have been all over but it is not that Pakistan came at the end. When I discover any country’s cinematic piece I go to that country to explore more.

I went to Afghanistan, to Iraq, Latin America and Iranian cinema which we all k n o w v e r y w e l l . P a k i s t a n came in the picture during my search. Then I came to Karachi in 2006 for the first time for the Kara Film Festival as one of the jury members invited by Hasan Zaidi. I met another member o f t h e i r s M a h e e n Z i a i n Tehran who spoke about this festival and hence I was in- troduced to Pakistan.

I got interested because I like to discover unknown ter- ritory. I consider myself an explorer of the modern world and cinema possessing a strong passion for films. I go to places with some basic in- formation and hope to dis- cover something unique.

When I came here as re- searcher of cinematography many people told me there is nothing to discover here! But the last film that I saw was Khuda Ke Liye, a very well made film. So there is more t o Pakistani cinema then mere mediocrity.

What made you promote Jago Hua Savera?

When I saw the film I felt that it is the most beautiful film ever made in Pakistan.

I have seen it three times and I discovered that it is a delicate film and the script is a beautiful construction, the actors are good in short everything is good.

The village shown in the film is a living village it is not something just on reel and you don’t feel the film ing. It feels as if you are living in this village and are with these people not some people merely seen on celluloid.

Your plans in regard to Jago Hua Savera and others related to cinema in Pakistan?

Several plans. The first one is to make many copies of this film as there is only one print at the moment . More copies have to be made on DVDs and then show it to young and aspiring filmmakers as it is a piece of education for them.

Secondly, through this film one should start building an archive carrying Pakistani cinema. Do you know Pakistan is one of the few countries that don’t have a proper archive? Bangladesh has one even Afghanistan has an archive so why not Pakistan? So Jago can be first film that can be deposited in the archive and I wish it would happen. It is very important to conserve the heritage of Pakistani cinema for future reference.

Also during this visit I have been giving lectures in different collages NCA Lahore and Indus Valley and I plan to make a feature film in collaboration with the students.

Secondly we have given a platform by screening this film and we hope it gives way to building up a library of archives. — UM ¦

DAWN images (http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=25_05_2008_422_002)

imran02feb79

May 27th, 2008, 09:23 AM

Interview actress Nandita Das on Ramchand Pakistani

Love across the border
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Nandita Das on her debut in Ramchand Pakistani, her maiden directorial venture, and more

Rana Siddiqui

The Hindu

It takes some doing to be in the fray in the Hindi film world without being a part of Page Three parties and Bollywood-inspired fashion shows. Acclaimed actor Nandita Das knows that quite well. Affable and accessible, Nandita is more often chased by directors rather than vice versa. Recently, she made news with her debut in the Pakistani film, Ramchand Pakistani, scheduled to be released shortly. Excerpts from an interview on the film, and more.

What made you agree to Ramchand Pakistani?

I have been part of a number of Indo-Pak peace initiatives for quite a few years now. Being part of Salman Ahmed’s ‘Ghoom Tana’ was a small part of that journey. Ramchand Pakistani is the second creative effort. I have known the film’s director, Mehreen Jabbar, since the first Kara Film Festival in Karachi, where my film Bawander was screened. About a year ago we met again as I was travelling to the U.S. and she wanted to shoot a short film in New York City. I deeply appreciated her sensitivity and working style. When she offered me Ramchand Pakistani, I had more than one reason for wanting to do it.

Tell us something about the film and your character?

It is about a Hindu Dalit family living on the India-Pakistan border that is torn apart because Ramchand, a seven year-old, and his father, accidentally cross the border. I play Champa, a Hindu Dalit woman from Pakistan’s Sindh region.

Most films on Indo-Pak issues propagate clichéd ideas. How is this one different?

A lot of the animosity between the two countries is due to the perceptions projected by the media and the governments. Ramchand Pakistani is relevant to both countries, and I truly hope that the film gets a proper release. I’m sure the people of both countries will be able to relate to the film. The story wouldn’t have been too different had it been shot on this side of the border.

How different was the experience?

It was a huge challenge for Mehreen to put together a project like this. I often forgot I was in another country! Because I have shot in various parts of India, where the language, food and culture are so different. I understood the language, and the food was familiar, though with a little more meat than I am used to! I made many new friends.

What about your directorial debut?

It’s called Firaaq (In Such Times). When I started scripting, I realized there were experiences that had inadvertently woven themselves in. And then, there were others that I wanted to share with my audiences. As I began researching and putting my thoughts together, I felt a collaborator would help me streamline my thoughts and also add to the skills of writing. Shuchi Kothari, who teaches script writing at Auckland University, was apt.

Tell us about the star cast…

It has Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Raghubir Yadav and Deepti Naval, whom I thought would be perfect even at the scripting stage. I’m also happy to have found Sanjay Suri, Shahana Goswami, Nowaz, Tisca Chopra and many others who have given their best.

Have your social concerns taken a back seat?

Not exactly. I have continued with my human rights work, mainly dealing with women’s issues and sectarian violence. I have also been part of the India-Pakistan peace initiatives SAHR (South Asians for Human Rights).

http://lollywoodhungama.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/interview-actress-nandita-das-on-ramchand-pakistani/

brightside.

May 27th, 2008, 07:50 PM

I like her.

imran02feb79

May 29th, 2008, 08:25 AM

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siamu maharaj

May 29th, 2008, 09:50 AM

SO they censored ranuchy scenes?

singaporean

May 29th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Lahore

CHILDREN are the most deprived lot as far as healthy and safe entertainment facilities are concerned but thanks to the organisers of the 1st Children’s Film Festival being held from June 14 to June 22 at the Ali Institute of Education, Ferozepur Road, for kids are bound to have entertainment for nine days.

The first ever Children’s Film Festival is all about kids since all the movies being shown during the rare event are a celebration of the films made by, for, and about children. The grand festival organised by the Ali Institute and the Punjab Lok Rahs while The News is its official media partner. The event is already the talk of the town among the children since 50,000 brochures have been dispatched to over 2,000 schools in the city by the organisers. The entire festival is a free event while the entry will be through passes which will be sent to the schools and will also be available on request from the Ali Institute of Education.

There will be a screening of 18 children’s movies from different countries of the world, including the USA, Iran, China, Japan, Korea and France. There will be two movies shown daily at 6 and 8 pm while all the non-English films are having English subtitles for the convenience of their little viewers.

There are ten popular kidsí movies from the US, including blockbusters like ‘Bee Movie (first film of the Festival to be shown on Saturday June 14 at 6 pm), ‘Ratatouille’( on Sunday June 15 at 6pm) ‘The Incredibles’ on June 16 at 6 pm, ‘Finding Nemo’ on Tuesday June 17 at 6 pm, ‘Polar Express’ on June 18 at 6 pm, ‘Chicken Run’ on Thursday June 19 at 6 pm, ‘Ice Age’ Friday June 20 at 6 pm , ‘The Black Stallion ‘ on Friday June 20 at 8 pm , ‘Monsters Inc.’ on Saturday June 21 at 6 pm and last but not the least, ‘Madagascar’ will be the last the US entry to be shown at 6 pm on Sunday June 22 on the last day of the The Iranian filmmakers have also sent a gift of three films for Pakistani kids in Persian language with English subtitles which are ‘Children of Heaven’ on June 14 at 8 pm, ‘Bashu, the Little Stranger’ on Tuesday June 17 at 8pm and ‘Blackboards’ at 8 pm again on Thursday of June 19.

Two Chinese films appearing in the festival are: ‘For the Children ‘ on Sunday of June 15 at 8 pm and ‘Country Teachers’ on Monday June 16 at 8 pm. The Japanese have sent ‘Nobody Knows’ which will be screened on Wednesday June 18 at 8 pm, French have dispatched ‘To Be and To Have’ to be shown on Saturday June 21 at 8 pm while the Korean film tilted ‘The Way Home’ is going to be the last film, scheduled to be shown on the last day of the festival at 8 pm on Sunday June 22.

It is pertinent to mention that all the movies from the USA, which are being shown in the festival are ‘animated ‘ films and their average duration is less than two hours but more than 1.30 hours. The movies are well acclaimed blockbusters and are already very popular among the kids owning to the ‘blessing’ of piracy reigning high and mighty in the country. Almost all the animated movies from the USA, sent for the festival, have been watched by the children either on the cable network or on the CDs. These are the movies which are ‘Must Watch, Must Have’ items for every school going child.

Pakia

May 29th, 2008, 06:20 PM

Intoxication

May 29th, 2008, 08:06 PM

^^ :applause:

Its about time and I hope it becomes an annual event. After all half the country's population is underage, with hardly any notable films or tv programmes for them. Kaliyaan is still the only programme that comes to mind which was extremely popular with kids and families alike.

I agree! :yes: On top of that, stuff like "Mother's Day" or "Father's Day" is celebrated. But not "Children's Day"! What sort of an injustic is that?! :down:

brightside.

May 29th, 2008, 08:23 PM

SO they censored ranuchy scenes?

Don't they do that with everything? Do they even allow a simple kiss in a Hollywood movie to pass through to the cinema?

I don't remember. The last movie I saw in a Pakistani cinema was War of The Worlds in Nishat.

Intoxication

May 29th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Can anyone please summarise what the article in Urdu said??? :( :?

honey4???

May 29th, 2008, 10:41 PM

u r in London frm the last 3 or 4 years and u have forgot to read URDU.
Try again "bacha" its not difficult.

honey4???

May 29th, 2008, 10:59 PM

well if u insist....it says
Javed sheikh's new film "khulay asman kay neechay" is being released in the last week of june or in the first week of july and Katrina kaif(indian actress) wants to come Pakistan to watch the premier show of the movie. Currently both are working in a hindi movie "yograj".
aaj ka khabarnama khatam hua. mujhe ijazat dijeay. ALLAH HAFIZ

Intoxication

May 30th, 2008, 11:32 AM

u r in London frm the last 3 or 4 years and u have forgot to read URDU.
Try again "bacha" its not difficult.

Longer than that.

singaporean

June 8th, 2008, 02:59 PM

A press conference was held on Saturday to launch an upcoming film titled “Streets of Karachi.” The film, shot on High Definition (HD) camera, is based on the life of a couple in Karachi and the ups and downs of the city.

The film features Adil Murad (son of late film idol of yesteryears, Waheed Murad), model and actress Nadia Hussain, senior artistes Munawar Saeed and Salahudin Tunio, and newcomer Umair Leghari.

The 80-minute film has been produced by Shoaib Yunus and is slated for release in August on the 35mm. Shooting took three weeks, while post-editing took over two months. The purpose of the film, which will also be released internationally with English subtitles, is to portray a softer image of Karachi where “not every person is a rocket-launcher-toting citizen.”

The storyboard for a ‘film’ too has matured with no traditional romance scenes, action sequences or the song-and-dance numbers which otherwise are an inseparable part of Pakistani films. In fact, the film portrays a very modern Karachi as can be seen in real life, a city of lights where anything can happen any time.

brightside.

June 9th, 2008, 12:21 AM

Great! Lollywood can truly revive itself if it moves away from Bollywood style films. The middle class will definitely pay to watch good movies.

Also nice to see finally HD cameras being introduced to the country.

Arsalan

June 10th, 2008, 07:07 AM

NEW YORK, June 10 (APP) :”Ramchand Pakistani”, a full length feature film from Pakistan, scored another first: After last month’s triumphant debut in the Tribeca Film festival in New York, it also evoked a good response in another major festival—this time on the West Coast of the United States.

The 2008 Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF), the largest in the U.S., featured the film brilliantly directed by Mehreen Jabber on Friday and Saturday in a Seattle cinema house.

The 25-day Festival, which opened on May 22, will close on June 15 after screening more than 400 feature, documentary, and short films from around the world.

“Ramchand Pakistani” was warmly applauded by mainly American audiences.

Unlike New York, Seattle does not have many South Asians.

“The positive response from the Americans was very encouraging,” Mehreen Jabbar told APP correspondent on her return from Seattle on Monday. “I was surprised by the warm reception it received.”

Mehreen’s father, Javed Jabbar, a former cabinet minister and senator, wrote the story of the film, which he also produced.

The film tells the story of how an accidental border crossing affects the life of a poor Pakistani Hindu peasant family. Inspired by actual events, the narrative attempts to depict the heavy irony that underlies the relationship between Pakistan and India.

Nandita Das, a Bollywood superstar, plays Champa, the woman whose eight-year-old son Ramchand and husband disappear from their village near Nagarparkar, located along the border with India where they held as spies.

The film stars Syed Fazal Hussain in the title role. Other Pakistani actors

in the cast include Rashid Farooqi, Noman Ijaz, Maria Wasti, Shahood Alvi, Tipu, Adarsh Ayaz and Saleem Mairaj.

The film was shot in Nagarparkar and Islamkot, close to the Indian border.

Source: APP (http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40977&Itemid=1)

imran02feb79

June 10th, 2008, 08:35 AM

"Streets of Karachi"

Precept Productions' Shoieb Yunus Directs 1st Film, "Streets of Karachi"
Drama Tells the Story of a Pakistani Who, After Success in the United States, Returns Home

Shoieb Yunus, Managing Director, Precept Productions Highlighted Links

http://media.marketwire.com/attachments/200803/TN-417486_ShoiebYunusPrecept.jpg

Precept ProductionsSAN FRANCISCO, CA and KARACHI, PAKISTAN--(Marketwire - March 24, 2008) - Precept Productions, an entertainment and media production firm focused on developing entertainment content for television and film, announced today that Shoieb Yunus, Managing Director, will make his debut as the director of its first feature film, "Streets of Karachi," a contemporary drama illustrating the culture and contrasts on the streets of this mega-city of 16 million people.

"Streets of Karachi" is being made for the Pakistani and international audiences. The project will be released in June 2008 in the Urdu language with English subtitles.

"Streets of Karachi" is a drama about a man, who has achieved success in the United States, but realizes that his success and the possession of material things are not making him happy. He visits his ancestral hometown of Karachi, explores the city, sees immense contrast on the streets, and realizes Karachi is a vibrant city as well as the backbone of his country, where people from all over Pakistan come to fulfill their dreams. And, then events take a turn.

The concept and storyline were developed by Mr. Yunus, and the screenplay was written by Shoieb Yunus, M. Dilawar Khan and Abdul Salam Naz. Jawad Qureshi is the executive producer.

The male lead is played by Adil Murad, the female lead is played by actress and model Nadia Hussain, and the lead character is played by veteran actor Munnawar Saeed. The film will be shot in the studio and on location in Karachi.

About the Director

Mr. Yunus has produced 100 hours of entertainment programming for television, and has been the CEO and Managing Director of Precept since its inception in 2005.

Availability and Worldwide Distribution Opportunities

For more information about this film, distribution opportunities, and Precept Productions upcoming media and entertainment projects, please contact bizdev@preceptglobalaccess.com.

About Precept Productions

Precept Productions focuses on producing high quality entertainment content for television and film for the Southeast Asian Market. Precept is working with independent producers and directors who have the vision and talent to bring filmmaking techniques to the television format. Most recently, Precept has started working on two separate feature film projects scheduled to be shot later this year.

Precept Global Access North American headquarters are located at 1313 North Milpitas Blvd., Suite 145B, Milpitas, CA 95035, USA. For more information, please visit www.preceptglobalaccess.com, or Email bizdev@preceptglobalaccess.com

Precept Global Access (Pvt) Limited headquarters are located at D-95/1, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=835484&sourceType=3

singaporean

June 15th, 2008, 12:02 PM

LAHORE

THE Ali Institute of Education has started the nine-day Children Film Festival, first ever and unique festival in the country, at Ali Auditorium.

The festival is organised by the Children Film Foundation in collaboration with the Punjab Lok Rahs. During the festival, movies made for and about children will be screened.

On the first day of the festival, at least 380 children and their parents came to watch the movie. The parents were excited because they had an opportunity to get entertainment with their children.

Hollywood blockbuster animations including Bee Movie, The Incredibles, Finding Nemo, The Polar Express, Chicken Run, Ice Age, and Madagascar will be showed at festival.

Two movies will be shown daily at 6pm and 8pm. The festival is a free event, and entry will be through passes that have been sent to various schools. The passes are also available on request from the Ali Institute of Education. The festival will also offer movies in other languages about children from Iran, China, Japan, France and Korea.

Festival Project Coordinator Shoaib Iqbal said the basic objective of the festival was to provide entertainment opportunities to the children and let them explore and encourage the media as a learning support for them.

He said that workshops would also be held on filmmaking, animation, paintings, sculptures and performing arts for children from eight to 16 years of age during the festival as well as throughout the year.

Plasma.

June 16th, 2008, 02:32 AM

Not sure how many of you have heard about it but Javed Sheikh has made his own film, Khulay Asmaan Kay Neechay. HE was the father of Shahrukh Khan in his movie Om Shanti Om, if you don't know him. Its a lovely dovy film, but India has made so many i guess Pakistan has to fill it quota. However i hope we don't make as many.

Khullay Asmaan Kay Neechey

is a Pakistani movie directed by Javed Sheikh starring Sana and Saleem Sheikh along with Humayoon Saeed, Nadeem, Bahroz Sabswari and Javed Sheikh. “They (Pakistanis) will all be proud of my film and will own up to it as a Pakistani product as it is a perfect family film.” Javed Sheikh. Humayoon Saeed discloses in a TV interview that film is based on a love story between a Pakistani guy (played by Humayoon Saeed) and an Indian girl (played by Sana).The filming locations are unique, talking in an interview Javed Sheikh said it's exclusively shot in four different countries: Australia,UAE,India and Pakistan.

They launched the films website recently and the film is going to be released on the 20th. By the look of the website, i think we have made another film which looks like it was shot recently and not 30 years ago.

Khulay Asmaan Kay Neechay Official Website (http://www.kakn.com.pk/)

siamu maharaj

June 16th, 2008, 08:15 AM

What's an inclusively shot film?

Intoxication

June 16th, 2008, 11:25 AM

Javed Sheikh is GREAT! His acting, producing, everything!!! I love him! I still remember watching his comedy drama called "Double Trouble", back in Pakistan, in which he had 2 wives and none of them knew! :laugh: But I hate the fact that he always casts his younger brother, Saleem Sheikh. I don't like that! Saleem is SHIT! Don't cast him!!!

Plasma.

June 16th, 2008, 10:02 PM

What's an inclusively shot film?

did you mean exclusively?

And i don't know.

honey4???

June 17th, 2008, 07:01 AM

siamu maharaj

June 17th, 2008, 08:32 AM

did you mean exclusively?

And i don't know.
No, I meant inclusive. If filming in those cities is exclusive, then what exactly is it that it ain't.

Pakia

June 17th, 2008, 09:35 PM

No, I meant inclusive. If filming in those cities is exclusive, then what exactly is it that it ain't.

Made my head hurt trying to figure out what you just said. :lol:

Plasma.

June 17th, 2008, 11:45 PM

Stop being so critical, just wait for the movie, and burn it for us because we aren't going to get it here.

brightside.

June 24th, 2008, 02:07 AM

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2008/06/22/423/22_06_2008_423_003.jpg

siamu maharaj

June 24th, 2008, 07:02 AM

Hasn't anyone killed Farooq Paracha yet? I didn't even bother reading a single word after seeing he wrote it. This is a guy who draws cocks during meetings. (not kidding)

numb.soul

June 24th, 2008, 10:58 AM

watched khuda ke lea on cable tv yesterday..superb movie..
was stunned.. actually
d background song was awsome..
it was also sung in a music show competition here(sufi music vs filmy music vs folk music)
rahat fateh ali khan is 1 of d 3 judges in d show!!!!
i wish d director of d movie had done some more marketting in india..d movie wud have been commercially hit also(it was acclaimed by d critics here)
almost all of d ppl who saw d movie in theatres praised d movie(with standing ovation in some cases)
but most of them sd they came to know abt d movie in d multiplex only..
as in there was hardly any advertisements..
newayz..
fab movie
****
p.s---> ne1 can give me d link 4 dat song(hoo allah)

Intoxication

June 24th, 2008, 01:49 PM

numb.soul

June 24th, 2008, 08:08 PM

^^
thanks buddy..
actly i was lukin 4 mp3 version....
you-tube pe to puri movie hi available hai :D
newayz..got d song from funmaza.com
thanks
cheers:cheers:

imran02feb79

June 25th, 2008, 09:21 AM

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/715/page14yg9.gif (http://imageshack.us)

brightside.

June 27th, 2008, 06:24 AM

Trailer of Freedom Sound

1twbNoZUufw

Dunno if it's been posted here or not. Since it's moslty in English, is it going to be released in theaters or is it going to go straight to DVD?

Intoxication

June 27th, 2008, 11:38 AM

^^ It makes no sense! WTF is this film about anyway???? Its not like we're Afghanistan and that the people have no rights!

brightside.

June 27th, 2008, 11:40 AM

It's set 30 years in the future when some dictator takes over or something. It's a sci-fi film.

numb.soul

June 27th, 2008, 02:39 PM

^^
dat guy in d trailor luks like john abraham!!!!!

brightside.

June 28th, 2008, 03:56 AM

lol yeah he does.

brightside.

June 28th, 2008, 04:17 AM

Get your Lollywood on, Toronto. Hell’s Ground Tonite! (http://www.rowthree.com/2008/06/19/get-your-lollywood-on-toronto-hells-ground-tonite/)
by Kurt Halfyard
June 19th, 2008

A little bit last minute. And a little be local. While I’ll be taking in the live narration from one Mr. Maddin at the Royal Cinema tonite, if I didn’t have to trot back to relieve the baby sitter, I’d skip 1km north to The Bloor Cinema for 9:30pm and take in the low budget Lollywood produced Zombie/Slasher fusion Zibahkhana (aka Hell’s Ground) which is being presented by Rue Morgue as a part of their ongoing Cinema Macabre Series. It is notable that The Bloor Cinema in Toronto is also the inspiration behind the name of this Blog; it being a little known fact that there is more leg room in the third row at the Bloor than the other rows, and thus is a regular sitting locale of Row Three contributors at Toronto After Dark (which, by the way for you filmmaking types, is still taking feature and short film submissions until tomorrow)

The most blissful screening I took in at last years Fantasia Festival, in no small part due to the entertaining reel of classic Lollywood Horror clips shown before the film by the producers, Mondo Macabro. The film is a fusion of many sub-genres of horror (Zombie, Slasher, E.C. Comics) but it is the Pakistani flavourings that make this one such a delight.

Fret not those outside of Toronto (or anyone who managed to miss this on the genre festival circuit, where the film has been touring for over a year now), The DVD is forthcoming on June 24th From TLA releasing.

Under the seat are my Fantasia 2007 thoughts on Hell’s Ground.

Pakistani gore-slasher-zombie-psycho pastiche Zibahkhana (The English title is Hell’s Ground although the literal translation is apparently Slaughterhouse) could have easily have been titled Islamabad Morningstar Massacre. If the no-budget production could afford to cough over royalties, they should be posted to Tobe Hooper, Lucio Fulci and Sam Raimi, stat. While the the film mines the usual tropes of the genre, but with a surprising amount of atmosphere, character and style injected into the proceedings, resulting in something that is actually quite fresh.

A van of urban Pakistani teens attempt to escape the affluent prison confines of their upperclass existence to go on a road trip through the countryside with the end goal of rock-concert bliss. Oblivious to the poverty and rampant environmental toxification around them, they inhale catchy local pop tunes along with a joint or two and effortless switch back and forth between Urdu and English. If it wasn’t for the pre-credits horror sequence, I would have thing I was watching Lollywoods answer to Y Tu Mamá También. There is the self-absorbed sexy bitch, the smooth faced stoner (who here is such a dead ringer for Orlando Bloom it is actually unsettling), the uptight organizer-in-charge and devout muslim Ayesha (Ash for short, natch) who is along for some much needed independence more than anything-else. It is not long before these tough talking but inexperienced kids fall prey every horror cliché in the manual. They buy food from the spooky locals who cackle loudly and warn them they are on the “Road to Hell,” they take the forest shortcut, pick up a hitchhiker of sorts, run out of gas and investigate creepy houses in search for help, before being picked off by either the local zombies or the inspired hick-lunatic in a torn and bloody Burqa. Yes. Forget the hockey mask of Jason Voorhees or the skin-graft nightmares of Freddy Kruger or Leatherface – BurqaMan should be over-the-top-funny, but ends up being the real deal.

Sure this is very much kitchen sink filmmaking - I’ve neglected to mention the Evil Dead ‘spirit cam’ the EC Comic influenced interstitials or the overbearing mother-figure from Psycho (and was that a visual nod High Tension buried in there?) - but the added masala from director Omar Ali Khan gives Zibahkhana rich and welcome exoticism to world audiences while giving teens from Karachi a film to call their own. Khan is an expert on Lollywood Horror from the 1960s on up and is equally well versed in the American and European stuff too. Touches like vintage hand-painted poster art on the side of the teens van to featuring horror-icon Rehan twice (A clip from The Living Corpse played on a TV at one point and as this films official cackling man) show that this is not exoticism for exoticism sake (a complaint leveled at many a countries exported cinema product) but rather a loving hug to a rich B-cinema past.

[A past that was brought to vivid and hilarious life in a 20 minute reel combining several movies and commercials from 60s era Lollywood B-film. Dracula, The Wolfman, Spaghetti Westerns, House of Wax, The Brain that Wouldn’t Die and ads for Johnny Walker all filtered through a Pakistani sensibility that is reminiscent of the off-the-wall grade-Z craziness of 1960s Mexican horror, but still original in its own right. This reel was probably the most entertaining 20 minutes of the year for me and not only does it make me wish to scavenge YouTube to find Omar Ali Khan’s posted clips, but also to seek out some of these gems of sheer insanity.]

imran02feb79

June 28th, 2008, 09:23 AM

http://www.jang.net/jm/6-28-2008/images/1721.gif

Pakia

June 30th, 2008, 03:51 AM

http://www.jang.net/jang_mag/upload_image/6/4538_6-24-2008_2.jpg
http://www.jang.net/jang_mag/upload_image/6/4538_6-24-2008_3.jpg
http://www.jang.net/jang_mag/upload_image/6/4538_6-24-2008_4.jpg
http://www.jang.net/jang_mag/upload_image/6/4538_6-24-2008_5.jpg

imran02feb79

July 9th, 2008, 05:35 PM

Shoaib Mansoor's next film will be in a year

And, the 'Khuda Kay Liye' director will make it out of India

by Subhash K. Jha

Filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor's "Khuda Kay Liye" was the first Pakistani film to find a theatrical release in India in over four decades. The director now plans to shoot his next movie in Mumbai.

http://www.masala.com/images/tmp/full/shoibm_full.jpg

It took him a good 25 years to make his first feature film, which was widely appreciated in India.

"Making a film in Pakistan is not easy. I've fought many battles, petty and epic, to make 'Khuda Kay Liye'. Now of course, I'll make my next film out of Mumbai. I'm committed to Percept Pictures for my next," Mansoor told IANS from Pakistan.

"And I think I'll make it within a year. This time I can focus on writing and directing the film while my producers will take care of everything else. But it will take me a year to get the script in place," the director said.

He is amused with reports that he has already finalised Shaan, the Pakistan matinee idol who played the lead in "Khuda Kay Liye", for his next directorial venture. "When I haven't even decided what I'll make next how can I confirm about the cast? It's unlikely that Shaan will be part of my next project."

The Pakistani superstar didn't quite give Shoaib an easy time while shooting for "Khuda Kay Liye". Though Shaan agreed to change his image and do a starkly realistic role, he seemed to lose interest halfway and did nothing to support the film's promotion after release.

"The star system is no different in Pakistan or India. India has some great acting talent. And I'd love to work with all of them. But at this juncture it would be highly premature to mention names because I've no one in mind."

Mansoor is now getting ready for a three-week trip to Japan from July 20 where he's being honoured by a Japanese body.

"This year I've a lot of travelling to do. 'Khuda Kay Liye' had a much longer shelf life than I had imagined. My next film will also have a very strong socio-political content.

"I don't think cinema is about making 150 girls and boys dance on top of a Swiss mountain. It's a very powerful medium. Let's not use it for frivolity."

Indo-Asian News Service

http://www.masala.com/4486-shoaib-mansoors-next-film-will-be-in-a-year

Sikandar

July 9th, 2008, 11:10 PM

Posted on: Tuesday, 8 July 2008, 15:00 CDT

Precept Productions, an entertainment and media production firm focused on developing entertainment content for television and film, announced today that Shoieb Yunus, Managing Director, has completed the film "Streets of Karachi," a contemporary drama illustrating the culture and contrasts on the streets of this mega-city of 16 million people. A USA premiere is planned for later this summer.

"Our goal is to promote filmmaking in Southeast Asia and Pakistan, in particular," said Jawad Qureshi, Precept Chairman. "'Streets of Karachi' gives Pakistanis and the world a film about modern Karachi and helps to promote our filmmaking talents."

"Our team completed the film in only 5 months and captured what Karachi is like today, so we can share it with the world," remarked Shoieb Yunus. "Our film shows that the citizens of Karachi, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Zoroastrians, live together and practice their respective religions with tolerance."

Mr. Yunus career has taken him from Silicon Valley technologist to film producer. He is now starting work on his next films for worldwide audiences: a special interest film, "Cemetery of the Lost Tribe," a thriller to be shot in Thailand with the working title "Seventh Sky" and a yet untitled English-language feature film.

A LinkedIn profile for Mr. Yunus is at http://www.linkedin.com/in/shoiebyunus. To date, he has produced 100 hours of entertainment programming for television, and has been the CEO and Managing Director of Precept since its inception in 2005.

About the "Streets of Karachi" Film

The concept and storyline were developed by Mr. Yunus, and the screenplay was written by Shoieb Yunus, M. Dilawar Khan and Abdul Salam Naz. Jawad Qureshi is the executive producer.

The male lead is played by Adil Murad, the female lead is played by actress and model Nadia Hussain, and the lead character is played by veteran actor Munnawar Saeed. The film was shot in Precept's studio and on location in Karachi. To see some pre-production photos and production photos, please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/28311367@N03/.

"Streets of Karachi" is a drama about a man, who has achieved success in the United States, but realizes that his success and the possession of material things are not making him happy. He visits his ancestral hometown of Karachi, explores the city, sees immense contrast on the streets, and realizes Karachi is a vibrant city as well as the backbone of his country, where people from all over Pakistan come to fulfill their dreams. And, then events take a turn.

For more information about this film, distribution opportunities, and Precept Productions' upcoming media and entertainment projects, please contact bizdev@preceptglobalaccess.com.

To see an introductory video about Precept Productions, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW315FZgKTs.

About Precept Productions

Precept Productions focuses on producing high quality entertainment content for television and film for the Southeast Asian Market. Precept is working with independent producers and directors who have the vision and talent to bring filmmaking techniques to the television format.

Precept Global Access North American headquarters are located at 1313 North Milpitas Blvd., Suite 145B, Milpitas, CA 95035, USA. For more information, please visit www.preceptglobalaccess.com, or Email bizdev@preceptglobalaccess.com

Precept Global Access (Pvt) Limited headquarters are located at D-95/1, Block 5, Clifton, Karachi, Pakistan.

------------------------------------------------
http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1468337/precept_productions_completes_streets_of_karachi_plans_usa_film_premiere/

Pakia

July 10th, 2008, 01:51 AM

Pakistan Film Industry: To Be or Not To Be

By Najeeb13 Comments Industry News: Pakistan Film Industry: To Be or Not To Be

There always remained dilemma for Pakistan governments to ‘To be or Not to be’ with the film industry, being a Muslim state. That is the greatest question. Shifting mindsets and opposing social classes within masses have made it difficult for the industry policy-makers to chalk out a certain plan for films, most suited to Pakistani values, for Pakistanis in and around the world. Sometimes, there is progressive-flavoured government, sometimes Islamic.

Comparatively, the film industry of neighbouring secular India, having almost same culture and language is the second largest film producer of the world. How? Consistent policy and proper promotion.

Pakistan is a land of many splendours. It has a lot to offer to the world in terms of scenic cinema locations. It has inherited the ancient Indus Valley civilization along with the rich legacy of Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist religious cultures. Its folklores and Sufi influences are imbibed with the most humanistic renderings of love, harmony and tolerance. The land is rich in natural beauty - be they the snow-clad peaks of the K-2, the gushing waters of the mighty Indus in the north, the emerald shades of the Arabian Sea, the serenity of the deserts of Thar and Cholistan or the lush green fields of Punjab.

The history of this region is rich in tales of man’s lust for power, passion for romance, bravery and cowardice, brutality and compassion. With such a legacy, Pakistani film industry, popularly known as Lollywood, has a rich potential. If it could project even a fraction of it with imagination and art, it would rank amongst the finest film centres of the world.

For the advancement of film industry in the twenty-first century it is imperative that its present narrow range of target-audience be expanded. The question posed to some prominent film personalities as to how the middle income audience could be attracted to the local films brought forth some interesting answers. According to the most prolific screenwriter Nasir Adib, “Our government has to change its policy towards the film industry if we are to progress as a nation. People from middle class stopped going to cinemas after the advent of the VCR and satellite TV channels. They don’t have to sit in the cinema halls for three hours. So the film makers and the film censor board should realize that they have to provide people with better entertainment for them to come out of their houses and walk in to cinemas.”

Some film critics say that technical handicap is the main cause of the failure of the industry. It needs to make drastic improvements in the areas like music, story, recording, choreography and even a good part of direction as well.

Expediency for commercialism manifests itself even in the work of the seasoned directors like Iqbal Kashmiri, Shamim Ara, Syed Noor, Sangita and others. They are churning out films after films, wanting in every department of the industry. Titles of Indian bonanzas are commonly used for the local productions. This, it is said, is done to counteract the piracy of Pakistan’s melodies by their Indian counterparts. In the process the real losers are the original creators on both sides who suffer through infringement of their artistic and intellectual property rights.

Presently, the world film market is overwhelmingly dominated by Hollywood, USA. Perhaps after the arms trade, the largest foreign exchange earning of the USA comes through its motion picture industry. Some of its recent blockbusters have grossed over billions of dollars. Conversely it has badly hit the production of other countries of the Northern Hemisphere, including France, Germany, England, Italy and Spain. The film circles in Europe, Scandinavia and Canada have been protesting, issuing threats and warning of the cultural colonization and annihilation of their indigenous cinemas.

Like the US, India has also promoted its motion picture industry more as a source of mustering revenues rather than promotion of its culture. Indian industry films also collect millions from abroad particularly in places like England, Middle East, African states, Canada and the Far Eastern region where there are sizable numbers of people of South Asian origin. Now it is reaching out to Japan and the US as well. Pakistani film industry or cinema does not suffer so much from the Hollywood or other foreign films entering the country through formal trade agreements. However, the informal or pirated imports of Indian movies in Pakistan have taken away a big chunk of the filmgoers.

Nasir Adib also disclosed that he wrote the script and the dialogues for an Indian film, Dharmendra’s Ghayal, which won many awards besides being a box office hit. As India and Pakistan have no formal co-production agreement, Nasir’s name was not credited in the film. According to him, what he achieved in Ghayal was possible only because he could write without pressure from the censors and what he wrote was shown on the screen.

Sajjad Gul, the owner of the largest film studios, production and distribution set-up in Pakistan, draws comparison with Iran, These countries are both producing very good films. The Iranian government invests in their film industry in order to show the world a different picture. They make an effort to enter their films in international festivals. In India, the copyright laws are strict. In Pakistan, we have laws but they are not enforced. In India audio rights of a film are sold for billion dollars but here they go for almost half million. We also don’t get any support from the government. Pakistan government fails to understand that today the war can be fought on the cultural and economic fronts more effectively than on the military front.

In the recent years the Indian film industry has gained much by imposition of strict copyrights laws within the country and also by its association with the international forums for protection of intellectual property. In the early days video rights of Indian industry flicks were sold to Pakistan’s underground video tycoons for $1.0 million depending on the star value of the movie. Now they get much more through telecast in the region via satellite channels. The new films are zealously protected, resulting in increase of revenue in the cinema halls. The Indian industry producers may not get anything directly from Pakistan, but it has badly affected the otherwise over-protected cinema here.

Pakistan has immense potential and talent for producing international standard films. If it can win in the fields of cricket, hockey, squash, information technology etc and can produce the heroes like Imran Khan (Cricketer), Jahangir Khan (Squash Player), Dr. Ata Ul Rahman (Science & Technology Minister) and the list goes on…, it can also win in the field of film-making. What it needs is government support, consistent policy and proper promotion in the local and international market.

Nasir Iqbal is a Dubai based Pakistani Journalist
Contact: Dubai Press Club, P.O. Box: 39333, Dubai Mobile: 00971-50-4243076
Email: nasir_star@yahoo.co.uk

Pakia

July 10th, 2008, 04:10 PM

SHAURYA and KHUDA KAY LIYE complete 50 days
3 Hour,51 minutes Ago (Kerala News, India)

It is celebration times for two small films - SHAURYA and KHUDA KAY LIYE. The films have completed 50 days at the box office today and are still running on a few prints across the country.

Made on shoestring budget, both SHAURYA and KHUDA KAY LIYE have topped 2 crores each in collections from across the country and can expect further revenue being generated from satellite and home video entertainment.

When released 7 weeks back, neither SHAURYA nor KHUDA KAY LIYE took a humongous opening. It was decent at maximum though good reviews and positive word of mouth meant that the films stayed with the audience over a period of time. The results were there to be seen as in spite of films like U ME AUR HUM and KRAZZY 4 releasing soon after and RACE continuing to be strong as ever, SHAURYA and KHUDA KAY LIYE continued to work well for their target audience.

As both the films now look at curtains falling for them after a successful run, SHAURYA has already seen a DVD release while KHUDA KAY LIYE would be arriving on DVDs soon as well.
http://cache.search.yahoo-ht2.akadns.net/search/cache?ei=UTF-8&p=KHUDA+KAY+LIYE+JAPAN&fr=yfp-t-501&u=www.keralanext.com/news/%3Fid%3D134260955&w=khuda+kay+liye+%22li+ye%22+japan&d=M6cKrC72Q84i&icp=1&.intl=us

numb.soul

July 11th, 2008, 09:50 AM

Shailendra Singh, Jt MD Percept Picture Company says, “Yes it is true that we have signed Shoaib Mansoor to make a film with us.

This will be the first of its kind Indo-Pak venture.

We have also finalised the subject of the film and he is right now in Pakistan busy finalising the last draft. It is a big budget film, around Rs 55 crore and is based on relationships. We feel that Shoaib is an immensely talented guy and we are happy that someone

He is a power-house of talent. The film is based on multiple relationships just like Khuda Ke Liye. As planned right now, the film will hit the theaters in 14 months from now

The film will also have a leading Pakistan star along with an Indian star and will have other actors from both the countries.”

read full article on

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=20080605200806050239478355362a717&pageno=1

SarafIndian

July 11th, 2008, 06:42 PM

Nice to see to some Bengali artists along with the other Indian artists in "Ramchand Pakistani". Nandita Das and Debajyoti Mishra as Music Director. :cheers:

Pakia

July 13th, 2008, 12:43 PM

instep review
Jawed Sheikh's labour of love doesn't touch the sky :ohno:
After a five year sabbatical, Jawed Sheikh returns with his most ambitious film to date, Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay. It makes a strong technical statement but falls because of its sketchy writing. Instep takes a closer look...

By Usman Ghafoor
http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-13-07-2008/instep/images/mainissue_1.jpg

Year 2002's money-spinner Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa would be a hard act to follow. And, who else but the maker of one of Pakistan's most successful films ever - Jawed Sheikh - knows this better. Obviously weighed down by a plethora of expectations, but also egged on by a strong ambition to outdo himself in his next home production, Jawed launched Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay a film that, he promised, would have "more lavish songs", "grander sets" and a bigger cast (he even famously spoke of getting Bipasha Basu or Gul Panag to do an item number). It was to be Lollywood's first film that would be shot in Australia and India.

This was late 2004. A still-radiant-with-(Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa's)-success Jawed had just returned from India where he had recorded the music of his new film at Mumbai's Empire Studios. "You know, this is the studio where the music of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas and Aamir Khan's Lagaan were recorded," he told this scribe, gushingly. "I got Yogesh Pradhan to arrange songs for us. (Yogesh had arranged the music of Devdas and, earlier, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam).

"We've used 50-plus violinists something which is an unheard-of orchestra figure in Pakistan," he went on, "Besides, we recorded with the best Bollywood singers, such as Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Sukhwindra and Shaan. I've spent a fortune on music alone!"

He also rhapsodised over his coming-together with maestro (late) Amjad Bobby. At that time, Jawed hadn't recorded 'Larki Mumbai Ki', a peppy number that was added much later with an Indian composer. The original soundtrack of the film had a techno track - rendered by Shaan on the lines of 'It's the Time to Disco' - but it was never filmed.

Jawed's eagerness to demonstrate his visual prowess had led him to use one of the most expensive ARRI 3 - camera for Yeh Dil… that also had the facility to shoot in sync-sound. For Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay now popularly abbreviated as KAKN - he went one step ahead by opting for ARRI 4.
For Yeh Dil… songs, Jawed had famously hired the services of award-winning choreographer from India, Saroj Khan. This time over, he wanted somebody more modern in his outlook. Enter Ganesh Acharya, the podgy little man who flew in along with his well-trained troupe of extras.

Jawed was not willing to compromise on the look of his lead actors. Therefore, he chose top-league fashion designer Deepak Perwani to helm the costumes
department. Though, after designing a few outfits for Sana, Humayun Saeed and Saleem Sheikh, Deepak rumouredly walked out of the project, making way for Safina Behroze (also Jawed's sister).

A couple of months later, Jawed was ready to take his film on the floors. The much-touted KAKN shoot began with the filming of a song-and-half on the exotic sand dunes of Dubai. It included the highly expensive aerial shots to be used in the melodious sad Sukhwindra ditty, 'Dil Dey Toh Rabba Judai Na Dey'.

Later, of course, we know how the film was shot variously in Sydney, Canberra and also in Mumbai's famous Film City studios. KAKN took a long time in the making - five years, to be precise - during the course of which Jawed was to complete work on his acting assignments in Bollywood, too.

Jawed's vision of how to market a film is also unmatched in Lollywood. Last month, the actor-turned-director held an elaborate launch of KAKN's official website in a press meet at a local five-star. More recently, he arranged two grand premieres of the film - in Lahore and Karachi - that were attended by his lead actors - Sana, Saleem Sheikh, Meera and Humayun Saeed - among others, looking every bit a royalty.

But, eventually, it's the final product that would count. Unfortunately for Jawed Sheikh, after watching KAKN, one can't squash the feeling of being let-down or (shall one say?) short-changed. To put it like it is, JS seems to have gone wrong.

To begin with, KAKN makes one strong 'technical' statement: If your plot is unconvincing and dialogues are not quite relatable, no amount of catchy, well-choreographed songs or 'slick' editing and quality lab work - or even an impressive background score - can save your film from biting the dust. KAKN suffers badly at the hands of the scriptwriter (Babar Kashmiri) who shows that he is capable of creating a few, 'effective' comic interludes. Just that. There's no way that an average film viewer is going to feel for the characters (on screen) some of whom might be enduring the worst pangs possible of unrequited love or, even, the sudden death of a spouse. And, sure, our actors are not to be blamed here; they can do precious little to help an audience develop empathy for the cardboard characters that they get to play. The problem lies essentially with the sketchy characterisation and the predictable way in which the plot unfolds - not to forget, the dialogues that are laden with clichés oh-so-typical of Lollywood. A lot of words that the actors get to mouth sound redundant and begin to annoy you. For instance, Sana's character (called Umeed) imagining about his childhood 'fiancé' beckoning her to meet him "khulay aasman kay neechay"; her glorious confession to her lover, "Mein upar sey neechay tak pyar hoon!' - they sound ridiculous. Add to it the fact that Meera's character must occasionally break into ill-pronounced English language sentences - well, because she's born and raised in Australia and you know why the meant-to-be-serious effect of a scene might be completely marred. It is interesting to note that veteran Badar Khalil's voice should be dubbed over but not the lisping Meera's. Come on Sheikh saab, these are little, little matters that could have raised the level of the film if given your due critical attention.

Jawed's intentions (or, was it 'superstition'?) to repeat the writer of his stupendously successful Yeh Dil… might be pure, but he seems to have faltered this time over as Babar Kashmiri ends up reducing to near-mockery a subject which is a serious social issue in our part of the world - 'bachpan ki mangni'.

Sana's character - despite being central - is easily the most 'passive' of the lot, and annoyingly so. She is like a pendulum that can swing whichever way it is pushed. Strange that our otherwise well-upholstered, always decked-out heroine should have to watch the action happen from the sidelines. Jawed's pet heroine - she's worked in his productions at least three times before - is made to look pretty and smart, shed a tear or two, and even indulge her much younger cousins. She appears to be completely housebound, and can also not look beyond her childhood fiance (played by Saleem Sheikh). But, when the need arises and the family demands her to marry another cousin of hers (Humayun Saeed), she complies. Notwithstanding, KAKN remains a very important film for Sana, since it projects her starry image in a big way (barring a few, lame sequences). She also looks prettier than Ma'am Meera who can pull off the song-and-dance routine but little else.

Poor Humayun Saeed should also think twice before signing on a film next time. KAKN wastes his talent to a degree that you are left wondering if Humayun is cut out for the big screen at all.

The film appears to have been tailored to launch (read re-launch!) Saleem Sheikh who gets to romance both the leading ladies, features in the best of songs, and also sports an impressive repertoire of jumpers and suits. To little avail. He looks too mature (read old) to play a 'chocolate lover boy' - as they say.
KAKN has its share of comic moments, thanks to Ismail Tara - another fixture in the JS camp.

The film's OST is no great shakes. Barring the title track and the Sukhwindra number, most of the songs sound much of a muchness.

All is well that ends well, they say. But, when your climax is so funny that it leaves an audience laughing out loud, that is unforgivable.

For an ambitious film maker of Jawed Sheikh's standing, we hope and wish his next production will be free of all such glitches.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2008-weekly/nos-13-07-2008/instep/mainissue.htm

brightside.

July 13th, 2008, 04:31 PM

singaporean

July 15th, 2008, 12:35 PM

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Karachi

“The sounds of gunfire are a constant reminder of the new violent culture that has taken root in this peaceful region,” says a 50-minute historical docu-drama, “The Weeping Queen.” Based on the serene Pakistani hill station of Quetta, the docu-drama was premiered at a local hotel here on Monday.

Written, produced and directed by Talha Ghaznavi of Aspen Filmwerks, the documentary is an emotional piece about the changes that Quetta has seen over time. From the time it was known as Shawlkot to when it was briefly famous as ‘Little London’ to when nature chose to bring it down to its knees. When the city finally managed to pick up the pieces and move on, it was run over by gun-toting, drug-peddling intruders.

Zeba Bakhtiar plays the character of the Queen of Chiltan, a mountain in the Meher Dar Range, which, in certain light, looks like a sleeping woman. Bakhtiar plays the role of the soul of Quetta that awakens after centuries of sleep to find that her land, once prosperous and fertile, its air clean and fresh and its people pure at heart, ‘like the virgin snow’, was now being plundered by unknown men from areas unheard of, doing despicable acts; polluting the country side, tearing up the ground in search of buried riches.

Ghaznavi, in his introduction, said that people may come and go but the land remains; we take a lot from it but don’t give anything in return.

In the docu-drama, Zeba says that many a races and civilizations came to Quetta, the Aryans, the Greek, the Persian, the Mughals, the Afghans, and British. They all found many passages to this city, but never found a path that led away. Today, however, the land has been turned into a dystopia, its streets have been turned into battlefields, its skyline has a thick cloud of smoke and pollution. Its tree line ravaged by the very people entrusted to protect the forests.

Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri, who arrived late to the programme, but did manage to catch some of the show, afterwards in her address appreciated the effort of the producer, saying that the Baloch struggle should have been also included along with the blatant abuse of human rights and the overall privation of the province of its due rights. She said that she would be willing to make something similar on Sindh.

Ghaznavi rebutted Marri’s suugestion, mentioning that the documentary was not made with any political inclinations, no fingers were pointed, no names taken but rather it was about the soul, the land itself where he had spent his life; how he had seen faceless men with guns gain instant power, terrorising and hogging not only the right of the people but also the land.

The film shows that the land cries for the good people and the bad people - the good people who left and the bad people who imposed themselves. It tried not to put too much into the ‘soup’.

Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, the chief guest on the evening, in his keynote address, said that the producer had felt for the land and had shown how the land, seemingly lost, battered and tortured, was still with hope of betterment. “The intention shown is that if you have love for the people, you will have love for the land”

The film has been produced in Balochistan, and most of the people involved have relations to Quetta. Joan, a Swiss visiting Karachi, said that she found the film very informative and learnt a lot more about Quetta than it being the capital of Balochistan. Her friend Katya from Russia said that she felt empathetic towards the character.

The docu-drama’s Urdu and English versions will soon be telecast on local television channels.

Pakia

July 15th, 2008, 08:08 PM

WOW I'd love to see it, if it becomes available by some miracle here.

God damn all the gun-totting idiots running the place now. Hope it becomes peaceful and prosperous.

I think Zeba was a good selection as she is part Baloch, I believe.

imran02feb79

July 16th, 2008, 11:04 AM

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singaporean

July 16th, 2008, 11:04 AM

Karachi

This year the Swiss art and film festival is all set to hit Karachi with a bang. Martin Bienz, the Consul General of Switzerland in Karachi disclosed that the consulate is planning to bring a Swiss performance group this year, and will also screen movies especially for children.

Bienz believes that culture is an excellent way of getting acquainted while at the same time learning from each other as well. “Our main objective has been to increase the culture exchange besides developing trade and business activities, and we are always working towards this end,” he said. He sees special interest for the youth in participating in art and film festivals.

Artists and painters from Switzerland will visit the city to participate in the festival. “They will not just come to show you our culture but would work together with the local artists too,” he informed while reminding that such art festivals are frequently organised in Geneva where Pakistani artists are encouraged to participate as well.

Interestingly one of the NGOs based in Switzerland had voluntarily started a primary school in Karachi in 2003 that has now been upgraded to the ninth standard and is still being financed by the same NGO. Moreover, to raise money for the same school, one of the reputable Swiss colleges recently celebrated Pakistan week in their college in which Swiss students organised painting exhibitions, concerts and a gala night serving Pakistani food.

“The best part of the whole celebration was the achievement of their aim - a collection of 65,000 Swiss Francs that the students had collected with the joint efforts of one week for the school here in Karachi,” Bienz tells with much pleasure that the money will be utilised for the renovation and expansion of the school and for the hiring of highly qualified teachers. He reiterated that such acts of solidarity between young people should be encouraged in the future as well.

Recently, Swiss Business Council has been jointly launched by 20 multinational companies (based in Switzerland) that are operating in Pakistan, revealed the consul general, while talking about the recent developments with regard to the trade and commerce between the two countries. Moreover, Swiss-Asian Chamber of Commerce based in Zurich has recently opened the Pakistan Chapter. These, the former in particular, will play a major role in bridging the gap between Pakistan and Switzerland.

However, Bienz has expressed contentment over trade between the two countries saying that the scale of trade has gone upwards during the year. Nearly 8,000 people have been employed by Swiss multinational companies that have made quite a presence in Pakistan in the food processing, chemical sector, agriculture, seed production, and local fabric and textile industries. Pakistan has increased its export up to 60 per cent in the last two years in textile and agricultural products.

Two major Swiss pharmaceutical firms that are operating quite well in Pakistan include Novartis (Jamshoro) and Rosh (Karachi). Besides pharmaceuticals and other above-mentioned sectors, Swiss watches have remained a key attraction for years now.

Although presently Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU), it has entered into an agreement according to which Switzerland will issue Schenged visas starting from November 2008. Therefore, Pakistanis holding this visa would then be able to go to Switzerland which is another step in facilitating travel and tourism in Europe and would be an attraction for Pakistani tourists, especially people from the business sector.

Bienz, an economist by academic qualifications, initially worked in a bank for a couple of years before joining the diplomatic field. He was initially appointed in Europe, then to Africa, South and North America, Japan, Philippines before coming to Pakistan.

Discussing opportunities for Pakistanis in Switzerland, Bienz said that there will be good opportunities for skilled and qualified people in information technology and high-tech experts while also in the health sector.

Responding to a question regarding the restoration of the Swiss International Airlines in Pakistan, Bienz said that he won’t be able to comment on that since it’s a completely private business. However, if the airlines start operating in the country once again “I would welcome them back wholeheartedly,” he said. Bienz was sure that this would definitely have a constructive impact on the business and tourism activities between the two countries.

Hailing from the Philippines and living with her husband in this mega city for two years, Dassiree (Mrs Bienz) is impressed with the hospitality of the locals. She says that shopping at varied outlets including the “Sunday Bazaars” has been her favourite hobby in Karachi. “It was quite easy to adjust here since the people are very kind,” she remarked while recalling that it was never difficult for her to locate places whether it was the Gulf Shopping Mall in Clifton or the Empress Market in Saddar all “thanks to the helpful and cooperative nature of the people of Karachi.”

Disclosing her favourite Pakistani food, she said she couldn’t remember the name of that spicy dish that she found at almost every local event. However, with the description given by her later on, it turned out to be Mutton Karahi! Bienz, on the other hand, said that he was fonder of barbecue, specially the Seekh Kababs.

Many say that Pakistan has a mini-Switzerland in the form of Swat, however the consul general who has never been to the Northern areas was unable to comment on that. However, he recently went to Gwadar for the first time and said that he was struck by the nature and the landscape, especially the beauty of the mountains.

imran02feb79

July 16th, 2008, 11:05 AM

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imran02feb79

July 19th, 2008, 09:22 AM

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imran02feb79

July 19th, 2008, 09:27 AM

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imran02feb79

July 21st, 2008, 09:35 AM

The much-awaited and heavily advertised Khulay Aasman Kay Neechay (KAKN) finally saw the light of day, but didn’t quite elicit the response one had hoped it would. This, in spite of the fact that Jawed Sheikh tried to perfect every frame by drawing on beautiful locales, costumes and choreographed song sequences.
The basic problem with KAKN is that so much attention has been paid to everything else, not enough time seems to have been spent on the storyline. The result is that the plot lacks credibility.

The opening scenes introduce the numerous characters and highlight the close ties between Yunus Dewan and his wife (Nadeem and Badar Khalil), Sameer (Salim Sheikh) their son, Umeed (Sana) and Iqbal Dewan (Behroze), Yunus’s doting younger brother. But after being introduced to so many characters, if you expect to see the development of their personalities you are in for a disappointment — big time. Not only do most of the characters remain an enigma throughout the film (so you cannot relate to them emotionally), you can’t even relate to their actions with logic.

Take for instance the central theme of the film: Umeed’s fixation with her fiancé. Is Sameer not aware of her obsession? He has been studying in Australia for only two years, so how did he manage to remain oblivious of the fact that Umeed and the whole family was geared toward their marriage? And if he harboured no intentions of marrying his childhood fiancé, why did he not say so in the first place (rest assured family pride is of no concern to him), especially, as he was well aware that his cousin Nabeel (Humayun Saeed) is madly in love with her. And how in the world did Umeed manage to sustain a long-distance relationship with him and still not convey to him the depth of her feelings? And if all this isn’t enough to befuddle any logical, thinking brain, it turns out that Nabeel has been sending her letters and gifts, pretending to be Sameer. No questions asked.

Then, when Sameer meets Ambreen (Meera) and falls for her, the one sane dialogue uttered by his friend and confidante (played by Ismail Tara who remains highly irritating throughout with his silly antics and even sillier accent) that his father would kill him if he even so much as thinks of any woman other than Umeed, has no affect on his conscience whatsoever. Sameer comes across as a characterless hero who has no qualms hurting other’s feelings. And let’s not forget Ambreen who initially shuns the attentions of the stranger (Sameer), but at the drop of a hat goes running into his arms.

There are a number of more loopholes in the plot, not to mention film sequences that are not followed through, so you are left wondering in the end why they were shown or mentioned. And to make matters worse, the characters of both Umeed and Nabeel are depicted as spineless, ready to be ping-ponged whichever way the family chooses. I find it amazing that such a weak plot could have been written by Babar Kashmiri and approved by someone as meticulous and professional as Jawed Sheikh.

While the film’s negative features have overshadowed all its strong points, KAKN does have its strengths. Humayun Saeed comes across as surprisingly dashing in some scenes and has the potential to make his mark on the silver screen, provided he takes some dancing lessons. Nadeem and Jawed Sheikh have put in credible performances and are perhaps the only two people shown with some personality. The scene in which Nadeem gives azaan over the phone has been done particularly well.

Similarly, all entrances of the key characters have been done artfully, and every frame has been shot aesthetically. Aside from the theme song, Dil de to rabba judai na de is a memorable number and picturised beautifully. The costumes are by and large attractive. Not withstanding some typical dialogues, there were a few exceptionally well-written lines by Kashmiri, which unfortunately seem to have gotten lost in an otherwise mediocre script.

A word of advice to Jawed Sheikh: Today’s audience is far more discerning than it ever was. There is no getting away with a weak script anymore. Please concentrate on the script before spending time, energy and moolah on the technical aspects and packaging of films. In the end, it’s all about storytelling. — Shanaz Ramzi ¦

http://epaper.dawn.com/ArticleText.aspx?article=20_07_2008_425_004

imran02feb79

July 21st, 2008, 09:54 AM

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2439/article200720084iz4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

imran02feb79

July 21st, 2008, 04:30 PM

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imran02feb79

July 21st, 2008, 05:44 PM

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Plasma.

July 22nd, 2008, 01:24 AM

Download Zibahkhana [ 2007 ] Hell's Ground

http://c.imagehost.org/0331/Zibahkhana_2007.jpg

Zibahkhana
(English: Hell's Ground) is an Urdu-English film directed by Omar Khan. It premiered at the NatFilm Festival in Denmark and has since been screened at festivals all over the world including Toronto, NYC, London, Neuchatel, Stockholm, Cape Town, Austin, Philadelphia, Cambridge, Puerto Rico, Sitges, Valencia, Oslo, Helsinki with several more festival dates lined up. Recently the film has passed censors in Pakistan (with 8 - 10 seconds cut) and will soon become the first non 35mm, HDV feature film released in Pakistan cinema history.
ZIBAHKHANA - HELL's GROUND WON the BEST FILM 2008 JURY'S AWARD at the RIOFAN Film Festival, Rio, Brazil ZIBAHKHANA - Hell's Ground WON the JURY's SPECIAL AWARD For BEST GORE at the Fantastic Film Festival, Austin, TX 2007

Rapidshare Links
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Im gonna watch it today, been waiting for a long time.

Intoxication

July 22nd, 2008, 08:22 PM

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Pakia

July 28th, 2008, 05:35 PM

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PS I'll attempt an interview summary in English, if anyoone cares for it.

imran02feb79

July 29th, 2008, 08:43 AM

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imran02feb79

July 29th, 2008, 09:06 AM

"The weeping queen"

KARACHI: The weeping queen of Quetta

By Khursheed Hyder

KARACHI, July 15: Quetta was known as Little London during the British rule. Today, this once thriving city has become a land of turmoil and political disharmony, where violence, bomb blasts and unrest have become an everyday scenario.

The premiere of The Weeping Queen, a docu-drama depicting the glorious past and ugly present of Quetta, was screened at a local hotel on Monday. According to the film’s writer, director and producer Talha Ghaznavi, the film is an anguished voice calling for help.

Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, the capital of Balochistan has the Chiltan range on one side of the city. One of the mountains is shaped like a sleeping woman and this is where the story begins. Zeba Bakhtiar plays the main role of the sleeping woman who takes on a human form, symbolizing Mother Earth, who brings the city of Quetta to life while journeying through its past, present and future. There are small enactments of historical events and Zeba Bakhtiar as Mother Earth is seen commenting on them.

In the welcome speech, Talha Ghaznavi said the sleeping woman, known as the Chiltan Queen, had intrigued him for a long time and what was visualized as a documentary initially developed into a docu-drama.

“We take so much from the land but we don’t give anything back. Quetta – a border city – is full of history. It has welcomed newcomers, borne the brunt of armies and colonization, suffered a severe earthquake and yet survived all this, continuing to sustain everyone and remaining peaceful, strong and steadfast all the while,” the director said.

He revealed that the docu-drama was an indigenous production with the artist, editor and cinematographer belonging to Quetta as well, hence there is depth of feeling for the topic by everyone involved in the project.

Sindh Minister for Information Shazia Marri, who had walked in late and missed most of the film, congratulated Mr Ghaznavi on the film and what it stood for, but said she disagreed with some of the points in the film as some of the causes of the problems were not shown.

Replying to Ms Marri, the director said The Weeping Queen was not a political statement; it was about the soul of the land, a historical document on Quetta as a city.

The premier for the moment had turned into a dialogue when the information minister, who has also lived in Quetta, shot back saying that the documentary did not show the deprivation of the people as well as the reasons for the present situation.

The chief guest, Sindh Assembly Speaker Nisar Khuhro, seemed to save the situation when he was invited to speak. He said the documentary should be shown internationally. He praised Zeba’s acting and said the director had depicted the land as the weeping queen, and its soul was the people. “Showing history in 50 minutes is not easy. We should be optimistic and hopeful about the land. Talha Ghaznavi has done a good job.”

As the story begins Zeba Bakhtiar is seen getting up from the mountain and states Quetta was known as Shalkot, which means chador, which protects everyone and people of all religions lived in harmony. Gradually, as the city’s problems grow, from the time of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the influx of refugees and drugs, gun culture and violence, she starts to wither.

Zeba Bakhtiar’s acting is good; what is lacking is her vocal intonation, which seems to quiver and thus jars the impact of what she is saying.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/07/16/local13.htm

imran02feb79

July 30th, 2008, 10:40 AM

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imran02feb79

July 31st, 2008, 11:19 AM

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imran02feb79

August 2nd, 2008, 08:35 AM

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Pakia

August 2nd, 2008, 06:15 PM

^^ Wonder why Pakistan's English print media is not covering it as much.

This film is just a hope that Pakistan film industry could be revived, even if it means importing actors or technical help. Therefore its important to give such new films all support possible.

Pakia

August 10th, 2008, 10:29 PM

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2008-weekly/nos-10-08-2008/instep/images/article5_1.jpg
An actor par excellence, Maria Wasti has been a familiar face on Pakistani television for long. She has been seen wowing audiences in her blow away performances in television series such as Paranda, Kuch Dil Nay Kaha, Boota From Toba Tek Singh and her super hit drama series Kallo which left audiences raving over her performance. Maria has been seen playing diverse roles through out her career and hasn't yet been typecast into a particular role. It is her strength as an actor and her confidence in her abilities that sees her doing diverse roles ranging from portraying prominent Pakistani women Salma Murad and Bilquis Eidhi in a serial while managing beautifully to act as Kallo in her acclaimed television serial Kallo.
Her best performance yet was recently brought to the limelight when we saw her playing the part of Kamla, the warden with much heart and soul in the recent heart-felt and critically acclaimed Mehreen Jabbar film Ramchand Pakistani. Though all the actors in the film have rendered their roles brilliantly and beyond expectations, specially the young Ramchands played by Syed Fazail Hasan and Navaid Jabbar, it was Maria Wasti playing the warden, and the beautiful relationship she had with young Ramchand that touched the heart of the audiences the most.

In Mehreen Jabbar's magnum opus project, it was Maria Wasti's performance that was a delightful surprise and left the audiences stunned, which proved once again why she remains such a bright talent in the television and now film industry.

After seeing the same faces again and again in films over the past many years, we badly need fresh faces in the film industry and Maria Wasti's move from television to films is a much welcomed move.
And so this week, after seeing her most moving performance as an actor, we pick Maria Wasti as Instep's Hotstepper of the week. And if you haven't yet seen the film, do watch it to know what we are talking about.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2008-weekly/nos-10-08-2008/instep/article5.htm

siamu maharaj

August 11th, 2008, 07:06 AM

Actress par excellence? Maria Wasti? Hahaha

Intoxication

August 11th, 2008, 07:19 AM

^^ She's good though! :yes: I like her!

cntower

August 11th, 2008, 08:23 PM

Same here...

imran02feb79

August 12th, 2008, 02:38 PM

Reviving the Pakistani Cinema, One Film at a Time
A review of Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani by Laila Kazmi
August 2008

For those who have been following the recent slow but promising trend of indie films from Pakistan, watching Mehreen Jabbar's feature-length debut, Ramchand Pakistani, is a thrilling experience. Recently released in Pakistan, the film premiered earlier this year at the Tribecca Film Festival in NYC then played at the Seattle International Film Festival and the Osian's Cinefan Film Festival in New Dehli. It is perhaps only the second Pakistani feature to make it to major international film festivals.

The first was of course the much-celebrated Khamosh Pani (Silent Waters) of 2003. And for those of us who have since been patiently awaiting another quality film by a Pakistani director, Mehreen Jabbar has just provided a reason for excitement. Ramchand Pakistani is skillfully directed, beautifully shot, well acted and offers a moving sound track.

Produced by Mehreen's father, Javed Jabbar, Ramchand Pakistani is a fictionalized account of a real-life story of a Pakistani father and son of the Hindu dalit (untouchable) caste, living in the desert village of Bhimra near the Pakistan-India border. In 2002, as tensions between the two countries flare up following an attack on the Indian Parliament, eight-year old Ramchand (Syed Fazal Hussain) and his father, Shankar (Rashid Farooqui) inadvertently cross the marked but open border into India. The pair is immediately arrested and jailed by Indian security on suspicion of being spies. While the father and son spend years in prison (with an older Ramchand being played by Navaid Jabbar – no relation to the director), the mother, Champa (Nandita Das), struggles at home, awaiting their return.

Das is of course the versatile Indian actress of Fire and Earth fame. Jabbar has put together a talented cast, which includes several well known actors from Pakistani television. Maria Wasti is Kamla the feisty prison officer, Noman Ijaz is the interloper Abdullah, who admires Champa from afar, and Shahood Alvi is the officer in-charge of the Indian prison.

Even though the protagonists of Ramchand are Pakistani Hindus wrongfully jailed in an Indian prison, this film is not about religion and not even about political ideologies. Instead, the film is about people and bonds forged out of circumstances. There are strong women characters and no unnecessary plot-twists. Mehreen, who was present at the SIFF screening, described the film herself as “a simple story of a family torn apart through no fault of their own.”

If you are looking for a hard-hitting film on the lives of prisoners in Indian or Pakistani jails, that is not this film. Here the prison is a bit too clean, the guards a bit too likeable, and the prisoners a bit too accepting of their grossly unjust fate. And perhaps the least interesting thing about the film is its unoriginal title. A film so beautifully done deserved a more intriguing title. But don't let that distract you.

Even in its soft representation of a troubling issue lies one of the strengths of the film. Ramchand focuses on the human similarities that draw us together even under adverse circumstances. In a way, the Indian prison guards holding the innocent prisoners are as much at the mercy of the system as the prisoners themselves. Resulting from decades of antagonism and suspicion between the two neighboring countries, the system of course is likely the same on both sides of the border.

Through the story of Ramchand and Shankar, Mehreen aptly brings attention to the plight of hundreds of innocent people held in both Indian and Pakistani jails in border-crossing cases, often forgotten in the system for many, many years. Although, here the protagonists are Pakistanis jailed in India , the film makes a point to remind us of the similarly situated innocent Indians jailed in Pakistan . Bollywood addressed this topic, though less directly, in a typical song-and-dance love-story, epic hit ‘Veer Zaara' in 2004.

Unlike Mehreen's short films and teleplays, which tend to consist of a small number of cast members – sometimes even just two, Ramchand is filled with a variety of characters. There are the cellmates with whom Shankar and Ramchand spend their years of imprisonment, the Indian prison guards, and the villagers back home in Pakistan . Each of the characters, the protagonists and a handful of supporting characters, is uniquely human with individual idiosyncrasies. It is a sign of a skilled director, when all the actors fit into their roles naturally as they do here.

On that note, all of the actors in this film, from supporting to the protagonists deserve credit for their fine performances. Child actor, Syed Fazal Hussain, playing the younger Ramchand, is superb as he very naturally portrays a range of emotions – childish curiosity, anger, fear, and longing. The 12-year Navaid Jabbar, playing the older Ramchand, is a newcomer with an endearing smile. To Mehreen's credit, the transition between the two actors is so craftily done that it is tempting to believe that we are actually watching the same child develop into an adolescent. Of course, the alluring Nandita Das shines in her role as usual. Among the cellmates, the political activists Sharma (Adnan Shah) and Vishesh (Saleem Mairaj), who has lost his mind from being locked up for some ten years, make a lasting impression.

The cinematography is beautiful. Sofian Khan captures the desert skyline of the Thar in riveting wide shots, making it a film worth watching on the big screen. The musical director is India 's Debajyoti Mishra, whom Jabbar recruited after being impressed with his work for the Indian film Raincoat . And with lyrics by the renowned Pakistani writer, Anwar Maqsood, performed by Shafqat Amanat Ali and the Indian singer, Shubha Mudgal, the film is a truly collaborative effort between Indian and Pakistani artists - a recent phenomenon that seems to be occurring with an increasing frequency. Mehreen's co-editor, Aseem Sinha, is also from India .

Pakistan 's once-strong film industry has suffered from severe neglect and lack of funding over the past thirty years, making television the primary source of entertainment. Ramchand is the latest among a sporadic number of films marking a slow but hopeful re-emergence of a viable film scene in the country. While the talented Sabiha Sumar raised the standards high with her finely directed Khamosh Pani , films like Raat Chali Jhoom Kay ( A Long Night ) (2001) by Hasan Zaidi and last year's super hit among Pakistani audiences around the world, Khuda Kay Liye (In the Name of God), were refreshingly bold and non-formulaic. Still, despite its relevant subject, Khamosh Pani didn't get a theatrical release in Pakistan , and Raat and KKL could not compete on an international scale. Raat , about a young man's late night adventure in a seedy part of the busy city of Karachi , was an all-too-obvious low budget production. KKL tells the story of two musician brothers from Pakistan who take two very divergent paths. One comes to America to attend a music school, only to suffer dire consequences in a post-9/11 America, while the other is persuaded by zealots to join the ‘jihad' in Afghanistan. Even with a much higher production quality and being credited with bringing the mainstream audiences back to the theaters in Pakistan , KKL suffered from some very weak acting by some of the cast members. A small number of short films by Pakistani filmmakers screening at various festivals over past several years have also been signaling the talents that are yet to emerge.

After the commercial success of KKL in India and Pakistan last year, Ramchand is now the second Pakistani film to have a theatrical release in India. As for the audiences in Pakistan, release of Ramchand has given them another reason to return to the theaters.

This film is yet another sign that the Pakistani indie filmmakers may yet succeed in reviving the country's ailing film industry and competing in the international film scene.

Mehreen Jabbar currently divides her time between Pakistan and the United States. More on the film at: http://www.ramchandpakistani.com.

http://www.jazbah.org/ramchand.php

cntower

August 12th, 2008, 03:59 PM

I think that's the only way to go about it.

All I know is that Pakistan needs more thought provoking films. Enough of these fantasy crap films, we need films which are going to get the public talking and Khuda Kay Liye REALLY got the public talking!

I'm sure this film will also get people talking about how Hindus do actually live in Pakistan and that how are they are treated in Pakistan. As much as we'd love to sugar coat it, minorities aren't treated fairly we need to change that.

NewYork-wala

August 13th, 2008, 02:39 AM

Interesting look at the movie Khmosh Pani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpRVKuEf19g

s6demon

August 13th, 2008, 08:20 AM

Interesting look at the movie Khmosh Pani.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpRVKuEf19g

one of the best movies i have ever seen, period, Pakistani or otherwise.

I started watching the first part and couldnt stop untill it was finished, I loved it. Thanks Newyork walay :)

NewYork-wala

August 13th, 2008, 04:38 PM

one of the best movies i have ever seen, period, Pakistani or otherwise.

I started watching the first part and couldnt stop untill it was finished, I loved it. Thanks Newyork walay :)

lol.. Yeah, I watched the whole thing yesterday to, couldnt stop:)

Tantalizing story, but I think it blows certain problems out of proportion.

For example, their are still many Punjabi villages and others villages where women arent covered up and things havent changed much in all these years... Unless they consider wearing a basic duputta as being covered up.

And ofcourse their are still women walking around without their head covered in most of the big cities....

Otherwise, the story was great and more Pakistanis should see it, particularly now with the Taliban showing their ugly faces.

siamu maharaj

August 14th, 2008, 09:23 PM

I had the misfortune today of watching Ramchand Pakistani. I commend Jabbar on finding a way of saying the 4-lettered word crap in 2 hours. I'm in a state of shock right now, might comment on it later. WTF was that. Overrated pile of shit.

August 15th, 2008, 03:10 AM

s6demon

August 15th, 2008, 03:17 AM

so why is everyone making such a hoopla over Ramchand Pakistani?? I watched Khamosh Pani and it was actually very good.

Plasma.

August 15th, 2008, 03:19 AM

so why is everyone making such a hoopla over Ramchand Pakistani?? I watched Khamosh Pani and it was actually very good.

Watched that a couple of years back, quite a good movie.

Although i didn't understand the last few minutes of the movies.

Plasma.

August 15th, 2008, 03:19 AM

Stop whining you babies.

Im sure it was better then most of the crap bollywood spits out. :tongue3:

siamu maharaj

August 15th, 2008, 07:20 AM

You actually went to see it?

:ohno:
I didn't have a choice in the matter. But seriously, I didn't expect it to be this bad.

Intoxication

August 15th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Pakia

August 15th, 2008, 04:10 PM

Stop whining you babies.

Im sure it was better then most of the crap bollywood spits out. :tongue3:

I guess FK & Siamu are better critics than those at NYC & Seattle & Singapore film festivals. And those people I saw who clapped for good 5 minutes, after and during the film screening, even some rose on their feet, and waited patiently for Mehreen & her father afterwards for 20 minutes long question and answers session, were just far too intellectually inferior to the above-mentioned two.

Having said that, everyone has the right to their opinion but majority does carry some credibility.

August 15th, 2008, 04:21 PM

I guess FK & Siamu are better critics than those at NYC & Seattle & Singapore film festivals. And those people I saw who clapped for good 5 minutes, after and during the film screening, even some rose on their feet, and waited patiently for Mehreen & her father afterwards for 20 minutes long question and answers session, were just far too intellectually inferior to the above-mentioned two.

Having said that, everyone has the right to their opinion but majority does carry some credibility.

It was probably better for them because they were expecting it out of Pakistan Cinema.

siamu maharaj

August 15th, 2008, 04:27 PM

I guess FK & Siamu are better critics than those at NYC & Seattle & Singapore film festivals. And those people I saw who clapped for good 5 minutes, after and during the film screening, even some rose on their feet, and waited patiently for Mehreen & her father afterwards for 20 minutes long question and answers session, were just far too intellectually inferior to the above-mentioned two.

Having said that, everyone has the right to their opinion but majority does carry some credibility.
I know a few goras who came to Pakistan and couldn't get enough of the rickshaw and the minibus. Since what I saw was nothing new to me, I was looking for something deeper - story. There was none.

siamu maharaj

August 15th, 2008, 04:32 PM

And just so that you know, my sentiment was shared by everyone coming out of the cinema.

siamu maharaj

August 15th, 2008, 04:38 PM

I don't get the bold part?
It means she made a 2-hour movie that's basically crap.

Pakia

August 15th, 2008, 11:06 PM

And just so that you know, my sentiment was shared by everyone coming out of the cinema.

Well no offence to you but perhaps Pakistani people are part to be blamed foir the cinema decline. Afterall wasn't it some of us who made Maula Jutt a huge hit too and a long string of such duds.

I admit that RP is no landmark movie but has got some awards even in India( with similar sensibilities like ours) because it was given the right treatment to a true story that resonated with thousands of marginal people on both sides.

We may fail to see a story in it but those affected by such events do. Its gonna be screened in Mirpur Khas & Rahim Yar Khan too, inspite of their pathetic cinema halls due to peoples demand there.

siamu maharaj

August 15th, 2008, 11:26 PM

Dude, sorry, but the movie was crap. It got kudos coz it was about Pakistan-India. It was a hollow movie. Instead of blaming the Pakistani people, try blaming writers who come up with such crap. It wasn't even filmed like a movie. It was what you call a long play in Pakistan. Titanic won a record amount of Oscars incl. best movie. So awards mean jack. I personally want to watch every Pakistani movie, hell, I wanted to see Khule Asman ke Neeche. Just to support the cimena. But don't expect me to come say how amazing a movie this was. It was utter crap. No story, nothing. The 'story' bit of the movie - the suffering of the prisoners was explained in 1 second - a screen saying '4 years later'. It showed a few days in the beginning and a few hours at the end of the travails. It was an average long play. That's about it. I don't like something just coz it's Pakistani. That's as stupid a reason I can find to appreciate something.

Pakia

August 16th, 2008, 01:09 AM

Like I said everyone has the right to their opinion. But yes, it was more like a documentary/play than a full fledge feature film. So there!

siamu maharaj

August 16th, 2008, 08:39 AM

Anyone who has a high opinion of this movie is retard.

oogabooga

August 16th, 2008, 05:09 PM

Anyone who has a high opinion of this movie is retard.

"is a retard"! Use proper grammar!

http://mightyredpen.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/literacy-cat.jpg

siamu maharaj

August 16th, 2008, 05:55 PM

Funny. My 'e' and 'd' keys are broken.

oogabooga

August 16th, 2008, 05:56 PM

Funny. My 'e' and 'd' keys are broken.

How does that effect your 'a' key? :laugh:

Pakia

August 16th, 2008, 08:16 PM

How does that effect your 'a' key? :laugh:

:hilarious

Intoxication

August 16th, 2008, 08:59 PM

Its not a grammatical mistake. Probably a typo. He just forgot to add the "a" there. Everyone's been there!

oogabooga

August 16th, 2008, 09:20 PM

Its not a grammatical mistake. Probably a typo. He just forgot to add the "a" there. Everyone's been there!

Shutup before I report you for underage drinking! :sly:

Intoxication

August 16th, 2008, 09:24 PM

Shutup before I report you for underage drinking! :sly:

I'm allowed to drink here. You only have to be 18 to drink and 16 to smoke! :happy: You grow up a lot quicker in Europe than in North America. :tongue3:

siamu maharaj

August 16th, 2008, 09:30 PM

How does that effect your 'a' key? :laugh:
think...

Plasma.

August 16th, 2008, 09:58 PM

think...

Admit it.

You got got owned by booga.

oogabooga

August 16th, 2008, 09:58 PM

:rofl:

Intoxication

August 16th, 2008, 10:01 PM

Admit it.

You got got owned by booga.

OWNED!!! :lol:

Plasma.

August 16th, 2008, 10:02 PM

:laugh:

siamu maharaj

August 17th, 2008, 08:40 AM

Admit it.

You got got owned by booga.
Not really, coz he didn't understand it. I wanted to write "is retarded". He didn't get it.

oogabooga

August 17th, 2008, 05:22 PM

Not really, coz he didn't understand it. I wanted to write "is retarded". He didn't get it.

Ohhhh! :tongue3:

Intoxication

August 17th, 2008, 09:23 PM

Not really, coz he didn't understand it. I wanted to write "is retarded". He didn't get it.

I thought so at first, before Ooga came in with the grammar BS!

bhopalus

August 18th, 2008, 08:45 PM

do average people in pakistan even watch pakistani movies or is it only a small group of people who do? i thought they only watched bollywood like bangladesh and nepal and sri lanka and afghanistan.

August 18th, 2008, 08:52 PM

do average people in pakistan even watch pakistani movies or is it only a small group of people who do? i thought they only watched bollywood like bangladesh and nepal and sri lanka and afghanistan.

Yes they still watch it, either in the theaters or at home.

Pakia

August 20th, 2008, 12:25 AM

Rented KKL last night but was quite disappointed. Bad British accent by Iman, mostly overacting by Shaan except the jail part. Shaan looked too haggered to play a 20-something role, being 40 himself. The new fella played his complex role okay though but noone was exceptional.

The court dialogue & Iman running away scenes were good. What Pakistani courts have huge national flag in the back, news2me! :nuts:

Intoxication

August 27th, 2008, 04:00 AM

HAHA!! We're SHIT!!! :laugh:

http://nitawriter.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/film-production.jpg

^^ Look at that teeny weeny, ant sized Pakistan, next to Rajasthan!! :lol::lol::lol: Though I guess its Quality and not Quantity that matters!!! But we don't even have that!!! :lol:

siamu maharaj

August 27th, 2008, 07:03 AM

I'm surprised by Japan!!! And which country's below Egypt?

s6demon

August 27th, 2008, 07:26 AM

I'm surprised by Japan!!! And which country's below Egypt?

surprized by Japan? Japanese movies are world renownd and freakin awesome. not to mention they own the animation world completely.

and the country below egypt is probably southafrica.

Intoxication

August 27th, 2008, 07:43 AM

I'm surprised by Japan!!! And which country's below Egypt?

and the country below egypt is probably southafrica.

Nope! You guys are wrong! The country below Egypt is NIGERIA. Nollywood is HUGE!!! South Africa is the small dot below Nigeria.

August 27th, 2008, 08:32 AM

brightside.

August 27th, 2008, 10:16 AM

KKL was better than any Bollywood movie at least. I hope our films follow Hollywood formats, and not Bollywood. That is the only way they can get the middle classes to go back to the theaters.

siamu maharaj

August 27th, 2008, 02:35 PM

surprized by Japan? Japanese movies are world renownd and freakin awesome. not to mention they own the animation world completely.

and the country below egypt is probably southafrica.
I know about amines. I didn't know about feature films.

Pakia

August 27th, 2008, 04:51 PM

KKL was better than any Bollywood movie at least. I hope our films follow Hollywood formats, and not Bollywood. That is the only way they can get the middle classes to go back to the theaters.

I totally agree and will go as far as saying that they should rather follow Iranian, other foreign movies or Indy conceptual movie footsteps than Hollywood or heaven forbid Bollywood!!

They could be made with lot less too with fresher and newer talent.

Don't watch much Bollycrap, average less than one a year :banana:

Intoxication

August 28th, 2008, 02:22 AM

Wolverine

September 16th, 2008, 03:38 AM

FRONT SEAT: Off Karachi’s Streets

By Ras H. Siddiqui

When a Pakistani film holds its world premiere in America, not only is such an event a rarity but a welcome change as well. With Streets of Karachi and its opening at the Aquarius Theatre in Palo Alto on August 16, a long drought of Pakistani-inspired entertainment has ended (ever since Hassan Zee’s Night of Henna premiered in San Francisco a few years ago). The only other Pakistani films of note that have been screened here in Northern California for the South Asian diaspora have been Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye and Hassan Zaidi’s Raat Chali Hai Jhoom Kar, and the icing on the cake, Sabiha Sumar’s Khamosh Pani.

Bollywood rules the hearts and minds of the Asian community in the US whereas Lollywood is rarely seen or heard from. And while we anxiously await Mehreen Jabbar’s Ramchand Pakistani to arrive at desi theatres here, the showing of Streets of Karachi carries with it a sense of anticipation. Karachi used to be home for many who live here on nostalgia today and want to revisit some of it in celluloid.

Many in the audience could somehow relate to the main character of Zakir (Adil Murad), the naïve idealist who misses his Karachi home while living in the US and is in search of something. He is the son of Dr Pasha (Munawwar Saeed), a retired professor, and with them lives the youngest member of their family, Babar (Noman Habib) who is a special person.

The screenplay writer Shoieb Yunus successfully grasps growing up in a multicultural Karachi of yesteryear where one lived in harmony with all communities whose imprint on the life of the city was immense. The fact is that this legacy still continues.

With a limited number of roles, Streets of Karachi gives its main female character Maheen (Nadia Hussain), Zakir’s love interest, quite a powerful voice. She is strong, opinionated and a pillar of strength as opposed to Zakir who is a dreamer.

Up to this point in story development, Shoieb Yunus, who also wears a number of other very important hats in this project, deserves kudos. Not only did he successfully grasp our nostalgia and longing for the once peaceful City of Lights, but his pen takes our emotions for a ride. The conversations between Zakir and his father are all too familiar. The days of going out to eat ice cream at midnight without caution or a care for one’s well being are not real today.

The story then takes a couple of twists and turns. Zakir and Maheen are robbed and Babar is kidnapped for ransom. It is disappointing as the bad guys are a bit overdone and we are in for some adapting and transformation. Overall, congratulations are in order to Shoieb Yunus and Jawad Qureshi of Precept Productions, a media division of Precept Global Access (www.preceptglobalaccess.com) for branching out of their world of software to make this film. The film has a TV drama feel to it (especially with Umair Leghari’s and Shaheryar Zaidi’s roles) as it was made on a limited budget. Nevertheless, one has to encourage the Yunus-Qureshi team to continue their film-making efforts.

Wolverine

September 17th, 2008, 04:27 AM

FIRST PERSON: Sure As Shaan

By Fouzia Mapara

Photography: Essa Malik/WhiteStar

The roomful of frantic brand managers were whispering, gushing, giggling, organising, scheduling and holding out a lighter for him, offering him lemon or milk for his tea. For his fan club, Shaan is the best but for the benefit of those who aren’t his fans, trust me he is gorgeous. Tall, polished, suave, eloquent and intelligent with honey-coloured eyes, the camera doesn’t even transfer half of his aura across the lens. From being an LSA anchor, he’s now gone on to endorse the rival brands. But that’s not the only change he’s undergone.

There were no fumbles and no stumbles as he sat in the backdrop of balloons and diaper packs, diligently set up by the brand people for photo sessions. Yes, the bloodthirsty gandasa-swinging onscreen gujjar does have a softer side to him.

Shaan was in Karachi last week to launch the One Pack = One Vaccine campaign in Pakistan, joining hands with P&G and Unicef. Supported by the ministry of health, the cost of one tetanus vaccine for every bachat pack of Pampers sold during Ramazan will be donated to Unicef.

“Are you always surrounding and waited upon by so many people,” I asked Shaan, awed at the furor his presence created. He glanced at me, smiled quietly and put his cup down.

In age and experience, he could be compared to Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar who have built themselves as hot brands. So where does Shaan stand after spending more than a decade in Lollywood?

“As far as Salman or Akshay are concerned, I just feel that they are less-gifted but luckier, whereas I am more gifted but less lucky. If you look at the bigger picture, they make as much money working in three films as I do working in, say, 35 or 40 films. But it is not all about money. In Bollywood, they are doing good work in their own right but they can do far better. Here, I am talking from an actor’s point of view and I am disappointed in everything I have seen so far.

“I saw Asoka and also discussed with Shah Rukh Khan that he should have at least read a book on the historical character before doing it. It was his responsibility to accurately portray the legend. His Asoka in the film was dancing and being funny, but in reality he was a swordsman who didn’t swim around half-naked with women. What would you say if there was a barish ka gana in Lawrence of Arabia? They’re all doing the same run-of-the-mill stuff, nothing outstanding. You might see a good shot by some actor in some role and people might love their films, but I rate them for being stars of sava lakh ki abadi. There should at least be one Tendulkar.”

If Shaan hadn’t been an actor, he would have been a lawyer. But he believes that at this stage he needs to be satisfied with his work in films more than anything else. “It is not about doing a lot of roles or that Lollywood doesn’t offer me stuff to show my potential. That’s a different story altogether. It is about knowing yourself and that you have the potential. It is scary to see people who are recognised as international stars doing such bad work. You ask yourself what would you do if you had that role? But you have the satisfaction of knowing that you could have done it better. It is not the kind of work or the amount of work I am doing, I have done justice to my work and that is what matters most to me.”

While Shaan defends the Pakistan film industry for not playing its role in projecting a positive image of Pakistan in the international arena, he has plenty to say about the portrayal of Pakistanis in Bollywood productions. “It is not just their films that portray us in a certain way. When you go to India there is a certain ‘thing’ that you feel. I can’t pinpoint it but I know it’s a negative vibe. If you look at our history, Partition and the resulting massacre, we have our side of the story and they have theirs. The anonymous verse Akhaan di laali vi dasdi ae, roye tussi vi ho, roye assi vi aan probably explains it in the best possible way. On the face of it there is love, they talk loudly, show a lot of emotion; ‘tussi Lahore ton aaye ho’, touching their chest and your feet, reeling off little anecdotes and stanzas about Lahore and Delhi…but the bottom line is they don’t want you….simple!

“I was offered a film and it was to be directed by Sudhir Mishra. He sent me the script and I read the whole thing. It was okay except that they were going to portray Dilip Kumar as a playboy, show his on-the-set romances as the story of a Muslim lover boy. I felt that they wanted to tamper with Dilip’s image who is now 85, and I didn’t want to be a part of it. Why were they doing it, just because he is a Muslim? Then there was another film called Dehli 0006 where they had a barber shop with an image of the Hindu god Hanuman on the wall next to a picture of Khana-i-Ka’ba. Also, there was a she-goat in the film called Fatima who did funny things in the mohalla like eating people’s stuff, etc. I severely objected to the image of Khana-i-Ka’ba hung next to that of Hanuman and the name of the she-goat.

“From Ghazi Ilamdin Shaheed killing Rangeela Jasoos the writer, these subtle pinches push you to a point where your sanity can become insanity. I was talking to cricketer Shahid Afridi and he told me that from behind the stumps the Indian audience irritates us so much that we sometimes lose concentration. There are many examples of this particular psyche that you come across in India.

“I would work in Bollywood if a good film is offered to me, not otherwise. Not like Jawaid Sheikh who is doing crappy roles which he really shouldn’t.”

Shaan feels that the Pakistani film industry suffers with each changing political scenario. “Even my gardener wanted to be paid early because he was concerned about mulk kay halaat. In this situation, it will probably take another 20 years for art, not just in one medium but as a whole, to flourish in Pakistan.”

With such a big deal being made of Abhishek Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and even nothings like Tushaar Kapoor just because they happen to be second generation stars, does Shaan (he is the son of renowned film-maker Riaz Shahid and film actress Neelo), with the film industry in his blood, think we lack the right attitude? “The basic link is missing here which is the appreciation of art. We need to respect artistes with all our heart. Actors make a lot of money now but the true sense of respect is something different. The process of art is killed from the day a boy or a girl informs his/her parents to their utter dismay that s/he wants to become an actor. In our society, a girl’s fate is decided the day she is born. We need women as script writers, poets, actors…”

Don’t we need young men as well? “I see hero material every day and while they are good, they lack commitment. You don’t necessarily have to be good looking to make it in showbiz. I have seen ugly people carry themselves really well. There has to be that flair that the screen requires.”

I try to provoke him by accusing him of filling a dead man’s shoes. What was his own identity, other than being the modern-day Sultan Rahi? Unruffled, he explains. “We are a very politics-oriented nation. People attach their hopes, happiness and sorrow with the politics of this country. It is a close-knitted thing. In such a scenario, you have to understand the audience and I do that very well. I fill a dead man’s shoes because at the end of the day that’s what the public wants. For me, it’s a bigger vote than a casted vote because they pay for that vote. I bring the people to me, make them pay and then I say what I have to say to them whereas politicians have to pay people to listen to them. So I’m better placed.

“Films are magical. Name one TV actor that you can remember apart from Lucille Ball. Films stay in your memory, live with you while television lives in the house. It will cost me a Rs20 crores to open up a TV channel but if I could put that kind of money into making a film, it would certainly make a difference.”

Does that mean more Gujjar roles in the future for the actor? “Yes, Gujjars are very intelligent, they know how to market themselves.”

With Khuda Kay Liye (KKL), Shaan says he tested the waters and loved the experience. But he has separate views as an actor and as a viewer. “As a person I feel that KKL is a beautifully made film but the truth was limited. Why does the film point fingers only at mullahs? Is it a trend? As an actor I really enjoyed working with Shoaib Mansoor. He is a creative man and a creative writer, though a bit difficult to work with. Once you accept the script and agree to do the role, there is no going back. It was a good script, I read it and asked Shoaib saheb what he wanted. He said ‘give me something new’. So I took a month to shop for the character in my mind. I borrowed from here and there, a bit of Ali Azmat and another rock star, and Mansoor was the end result.”

“As far as Salman or Akshay are concerned, I just feel that they are less-gifted but luckier, whereas I am more gifted but less lucky. If you look at the bigger picture, they make as much money working in three films as I do working in, say, 35 or 40 films. But it is not all about money. In Bollywood, they are doing good work in their own right but they can do far better. Talking from an actor’s point of view, I am disappointed in everything I have seen so far,” says Shaan.

What did he think of Mehreen Jabbar’s Ramchand Pakistani? “Bad!” And Jawaid Sheikh’s Khulay Aasmaan Kay Neechay (KAKN)? “Worse!”

Details follow. “Mehreen needs to actually sit down and figure out what she wants. If the country is like a burning house and if I make a film on flies, where is the relevance? The film should make a statement about the present-day situation highlighting her point of view. Ramchand Pakistani doesn’t do that. She should stick to making plays and moreover she is a Jabbar, she doesn’t need to work.”

His demeanour is calm but wosrds blunt. “KAKN should be banned. Sheikh saheb has yet again goofed up. Yeh Dil Aap Ka Hua was no better. I think Sheikh saheb needs a good script. He should stop directing jokes. Yeh chotay chotay lateefay hain jin ko wo kahaniyaan samajhte hain. I am sure he has more to offer than that. He should shop for some good writers in India, or do some screenplay adaptations. Anyone can do that. My seven-year-old daughter took pictures from my camera and some of the photos came out really good. Sheikh saheb works with Ediflex and needs to know what he is shooting. Anybody can get a top shot with a helicopter but that is not a good shot. The question is what exactly are you shooting?”

With several film stars now working for television, does Shaan have any plans for the mini-screen as well? “I have been offered TV plays many times but I think Humayun Saeed is doing a good job, so is Faisal Qureshi and a number of other actors. I feel a drink needs to be served right whether its juice or wine. I am a celluloid person. My practice is in this medium and television is not inspiring enough for me. The only catch is money, but then I’m doing other stuff for money.”

His film Zille Shah will be released on Eid-ul-Fitr. “Zille Shah is made in Pakistan apart from the post-production work and it is how a Punjabi film should be. It is a semi-art film about a Punjabi poet. It is mellow and has a softer touch for an audience that is happy watching Gujjar films. The challenge here is that you can’t bring them to a semi-art film overnight so it has to be wrapped in what they like to see, but it carries a subtle message for the audience. The main character is a true character, but I have tweaked the screenplay a bit. I’m acting and directing, I have done the screenplay and a song as well. The leading ladies are Noor and Saima. I have taken a risk with my money but why not? It is not a very expensive venture, only Rs3 crores.”

Why Saima I wonder out loud. “I think mature love is more exciting. Saima is a sellable commodity and when I am investing my money I want the financial stability to be there. It is a selfish thing but when any actor stops selling, you don’t use them anymore and that goes for anyone out there.”

Shaan hosted the LSA twice in a row but was missing from the third. “Frieha (Altaf) stopped being my manager, so I fired her. I didn’t do the third LSA ceremony because they were going off to Malaysia and had to cut the budget. I asked them to fly 90 people instead of 100 but not compromise on the budget for stage planning. We disagreed and I quit. I think the brand was going through a turbulent time. The LSA has really lost its touch.”

Talking about joining hands with P&G’s anti-tetanus campaign, Shaan says, “I had not realised that tetanus was such a killer, I thought awareness about it was much better than it actually is. The target audience is not elitist but the masses, and I can speak their language. I also intend to have subtle messages in this regard in my films. Actors have a lot of power and awe and it sometimes scares me when I shake hands with a chowkidar or a person on the street and I find his hand trembling. If I can create that kind of awe in a person then surely I can convey a message that will have an impact.”

And then he speaks about his transition from film star to style icon. “I was always the person I am and hundreds of people today are taking credit for grooming me. When I started out I was very confused. Basically I am a very shy person. I don’t have many friends and like to keep to myself. Like my idea of a vacation is to chill at home and not meet anybody.”

Shaan talks fondly about his family. “Ours was a very Persian-influenced family. My paternal grandfather did his PhD in Persian in 1936 and he also wrote a Quran Sharif ka nuskha and met the Shah of Iran as a translator. The Shah told him that he spoke better Persian than he did. My eldest daughter is Bahisht-i-Bareen Shaan Shahid.

“My triplets are called Fatima, Raanay and Shah Bano. My real name is Armaghan Shahid. These are all Persian names. I think every family should have a daughter as they make a better person of you and bring you to perfection. As Khalil Gibran said: ‘I would have been snoring and farting if it were not for the three women in my life’. The three women being his mother, lover and daughter. Women need to understand that they are keys to the mental asylum called man. If they open the wrong door, a fanatic can come out. Women can make men into beautiful, caring, elegant beings.”

It suddenly dawns on me that I have stumbled upon the philosopher in him…but that would have to be a story for another day.

brightside.

September 17th, 2008, 09:13 PM

I would have to agree. Shaan is actually a better actor than any Bollywood actor. Sorry to say, Bollywood films don't contain acting, only over-acting. So do Pakistani films, but KKL managed to do the jail scene pretty well, and that was because of Shaan. The court room scene was still Bollywood-ish though.

imran02feb79

October 4th, 2008, 09:46 AM

'Ramchand Pakistani' - a poignant tale set in two nations (Film Review - Rating:***)Fri, Oct 3 04:34 PM
Film: 'Ramchand Pakistani'; Cast: Nandita Das, Rashid Farooqui, Noman Ijaz, Syed Fazal Hussain, Navaid Jabbar Maria Wasti; Director: Mehreen Jabbar; Rating: ***

Cross border problems is the basic theme of first time Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar's 'Ramchand Pakistani'.

Since partition in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars, excluding the Kargil conflict. Six decades after partition, the common man continues to pay a heavy price for the tension between the two countries.

There are several cases of innocent people from India and Pakistan who are caught and sent to jail on mere suspicion.

Mehreen's film focuses on the human sufferings on both sides of the border and she has succeeded in giving it unbiased treatment.

The stellar performances by the entire cast make 'Ramchand Pakistani' an emotionally engrossing watch.

Set in 2002, the film, inspired by a true story, is about the accidental crossing of the Pakistan-India border by a boy and his father.

'The film is based on actual events. My father (former Pakistani politician and filmmaker Javed Jabbar) works a lot in the areas close to the desert. One day he came across a father-son duo who narrated their story to him. That is where we got the inspiration to make this film. I am sure it will reach out to audiences,' said Mehreen.

The film revolves around Ramchand, an eight-year-old Dalit Hindu boy. He lives with his parents - mother Champa (Nandita Das) and father Shankar (Rashid Farooqui) in a village in the border area of Pakistan.

One day, after a fight with his mother, Ramchand runs away from home. While walking aimlessly, he accidentally crosses the border not knowing this will cost him his freedom.

His father spots him crossing the line of control and tries to stop him. In doing so, he too crosses the border. As expected, the boy and his father are caught and put in a jail in India. After that starts their long battle to prove their innocence and secure freedom.

While at the mercy of jail authorities, Shankar tries to cope with the trauma of forced separation from his mother. His mother is shattered by their sudden disappearance.

Nandita is the only non-Pakistani actor in 'Ramchand Pakistani'. Well-known Pakistani TV and stage actors like Rashid Farooqi, Maria Wasti and Farooq Pario's performances are specially noteworthy.

Fazal Hussain, who plays the eight-year-old protagonist Ramchand, has been particularly appreciated for his outstanding performance.

'The younger Ramchand has been played by Fazal Hussain. A friend of mine who is a director himself suggested him after a lot of search. The older one, however, is 14 years old. He is the son of a mechanic in Pakistan and has acted for the first time ever in any film,' said Mehreen.

The no-frills film is made at a nominal budget. Technically, the film is not of high quality, but Mehreen's narrative manages to hold the viewers' attention till the credits roll out.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20081003/914/ten-ramchand-pakistani-a-poignant-tale-s_1.html

Intoxication

October 10th, 2008, 12:54 PM

MADE IN PAKISTAN, is a doc but looks good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kFAUHdowI&feature=related

Any updates on this documentary Pakboy?? Been waiting a long time...

That would be great if this turns into a popular animation movie.

Hats off to Khurram. Here is his version of Iqbal's Shaheen!

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Parcham : Itihaad mera muqsad hai (Unity is my goal)

Wow! This wasn't working for me before. Only been able to see it now. Amazing!!! But its not a movie is it? Just a show by the looks of it. Says "Every Monday 8pm".

You're welcome. And yes I did bring up SSC & UrbanPk to her and asked her to register there but she said she won't be able to. Though Matthew & Joseph, 2 Americans who worked on the movie too, While walking with us to the Polish restaurant across the street, said they may check out SSC.
I even remembered you guys in New York. Do you think I need help?
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m300/MARIJ01/newyorkmay08023.jpg?t=1210208052
Ooga thats my niece's hand, not mine. Just incase you think of some wisecrack.

Damn straight you need help! Only think about SSC whilst you're online. Otherwise F this shit!!!

.baby gurl.

October 10th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Our film industry sucks.
"Khuda Kay Liye" was the only movie I liked.:)
And I don't support bollywood either.

brightside.

October 10th, 2008, 07:58 PM

There was an excellent article in Instep magazine about the Pakistani horror film Zibakhana being released in India. I can't find it, but I did find this from USA Today.

Pakistan gets first modern horror movie (http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/2007-07-20-2014585631_x.htm)

By Denis D. Gray, Associated Press Writer

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Pakistani film director Omar Ali Khan responds during an interview in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, June 26, 2007. Khan has added a quirky dimension to the description of Pakistan as a frontline of the war on terror

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Omar Ali Khan has added a quirky dimension to the description of Pakistan as a front line of the war on terror -- a Hollywood-inspired movie that's sparking surprising interest at home and abroad.

"We had zero expectations," says the director of "Zibahkhana," the country's first modern-themed horror film which mixes plenty of blood and gore with humor as well as just about every genre cliche and some social commentary about today's Pakistan.

The film (titled "Hell's Ground" in English) has already been shown at festivals in Europe and the United States, cheered at sold-out screenings in Pakistan and garnered positive press, including an article in Time magazine.

Not bad for a what the 45-year-old director disarmingly calls "a very low budget, scuzzy, rough-edged, cheesy little horror film."

He attributes its success so far to it being "a modern-style horror movie from Pakistan when some foreigners still ask, 'Do they really make movies in Pakistan?'"

Domestically, Khan sees "Zibahkhana" as a badly needed antidote to what's being churned out by the country's ossified film industry -- bad imitations of India's Bollywood with stylized acting, worn-out plots and obligatory song and dance numbers

"We'd like to rock the movie scene here. Our film demolishes all the traditional film-making barriers in Pakistan," he says. "We hope it will inspire some to take more risks."

Earlier this year, the country's actors, producers and directors appealed for government support to save the industry from near terminal decline, saying it could help reform society and wean viewers away from Islamic extremism.

While Khan doesn't aspire to such lofty goals, he says his film better reflects contemporary realities than most of what's offered by Lollywood, as Pakistan's Lahore-based film industry is known.

In it, five teenagers -- jeans-clad, attractive, mostly hip -- cut classes, then lose their way en route to a rock concert. As they stumble deeper into the countryside, they come across a psychotic family, zombies and a cannibalistic killer dressed in a burqa -- the head-to-toe robe worn by women in conservative Muslim communities. Khan insists it's an apolitical touch.

In fact, the director says there's a solid Muslim underlay to the film alongside a depiction of Westernized, urbanized Pakistani youth finding themselves aliens in Pakistan's still mainly rural culture.

The English-language film is unabashedly American, "a fan's love letter to the great horror movie makers I grew up with and worshipped," says Khan in his living room, its walls plastered with posters of such old U.S. films as "My Bloody Valentine" and "Creature from the Black Lagoon."

He credits his craze for horror flicks to watching the "The Wizard of Oz" at age 4 or 5 and being "annihilated to tears and laughter" by the Wicked Witch of the West character in that 1939 classic. His father was an Alfred Hitchcock fanatic.

Although he studied film in the United States, Khan went on to teach school and set up a chain of popular ice cream parlors in Pakistan before the movie bug bit him again.

"Hell's Ground" premiered in March at Denmark's biggest film festival and was shown at the Philadelphia Film Festival as well as three unofficial screenings in Pakistan.

Censors willing, Kahn hopes for an August release date in Pakistan, where he thinks his tale of gore will "entertain the pants off people."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Damn straight you need help! Only think about SSC whilst you're online. Otherwise F this shit!!!

What better thing to think of than SSC at the top of a skyscraper? ;)

surfer707

November 8th, 2008, 07:41 PM

Karafilm postponed to 2009

The journey and the roadblocks of Pakistan's definitive film festival
The much-awaited KaraFilm Festival that has been attracting the cinema lovers since 2001 has been postponed again due to the instable condition of our country. Instep talks to the Festival Director, Hasan Zaidi, about the journey of Kara over the years and how important it is in the larger scheme of things.

By Fatima Zakir

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With the revival of cinema happening in Pakistan, against all odds, the hope of seeing good movies return to the big screen is finally being realised. Along with the commercial fare, films like Khuda Kay Liye and Ramchand Pakistani are also getting a chance to see the light of day. As are off the wall films like the slash fest Zibahkhana. One thing is for sure - we do want alternative cinema to flourish in this country. A country's cinema is made more vibrant when all kinds of people are making all kinds of film and all kinds of people turn up to see them. This is the great service film festivals do for a country - they provide an opportunity for that to happen and are also a catalyst that fuels the process. For the past eight years, the Karafilm Society has been organising the Karafilm Festival in Karachi with both national and international appeal that does just that.

The 7th KaraFilm Festival was scheduled to take place in November this year. Preparations were in the middle but ironically terrorism strikes again in the form of Marriott bombings and they had to postpone it for a second time. It took a lot of time and hard work to make Kara recognizable in the national and international arena and we can't afford to miss out such a healthy entertainment.

"It was supposed to be bigger this year as we had to incorporate films of this year, last year and 2006 as well but we had to call it off at the last moment because of the Marriott blasts," says Hasan Zaidi, Festival Director Kara. "Of course who is going to come to Pakistan after all the bombings and political instability? Film festivals are made with international participation and without that the whole idea of a film festival is just killed."

That Kara has gotten cancelled now is a tragedy. Ever since 2001, when it was first held, the festival has become bigger and better attracting international and local filmmakers and giving cinema buffs a chance to interact with them. The festival that has grown bigger and better every year culminated in 2006 with a showing of Omkara for which it's star Ajay Devgan and ace director Vishal Bharadwaj had come down. But sadly, last year we couldn't have the luxury to attend Karafilm Festival due to the instable political situation caused by the tragic death of Benazir Bhutto. And just when we thought we can enjoy it this year… here comes the Marriott blast postponing this year's Kara to February next year. The process that film festivals start is wonderful, but when there is instability of the kind there is in Pakistan, hurdles come up that stop the process in its tracks.

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Film festivals internationally are made possible because filmmakers from all over the world participate in them. Take Cannes, Tribeca, New Delhi or Kansas International Film Festival; all are big events and are made possible because they showcase movies from all the continents of the world. Similarly Kara, though not that big internationally, is gradually making its place amongst international film festivals. And instead of supporting Hasan Zaidi's efforts for this, the political situation comes out as a hindrance to its success. The event that should have gotten bigger with time (and it was actually) is falling prey to the terrible state of our country.
The Karafilm Festival started out at a time when there was no scope of telefilms in Pakistan only because they didn't generate enough revenue. "Of course, the filmmakers needed a place to put up their movies and with Kara; we provided them their much needed platform," says Hasan Zaidi who knows what it's like to be a filmmaker without a platform. He made a film Raat Chali Hai Jhoom Ke that he had to arrange a private screening for and then toured with it to various film festivals around the world in the early 2000s. It was after this exercise that Karafilm was launched in 2001. And over the years, Hasan Zaidi has made it a hub for filmmakers to come together.

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Hasan Zaidi has also been credited to introduce international filmmakers and actors in our country. He was the first one to start the process of bringing in international stars at a time when it was a taboo, well at least, those from across the border definitely were. Nandita Das came along with director Jagmohan Mundhra to showcase her film Bhawandar. It was an art film, but even so, was a big draw at Karafilm because it was possibly the first time in years that an Indian film was publicly screened with its star present. And then, Hasan brought in Mahesh and Pooja Bhatt to Karachi with her film Paap after which Mahesh Bhatt kept on coming to Kara every year, having taken a shine to this country because his mother was Muslim and he felt an affinity with the culture here.

Mahesh Bhatt called himself India's ambassador for Karafilm Festival and he was right in saying so. He had the World Premieres of three of his films - Paap, Rog and Holiday - at Kara, which was not a piece of cake as far as the Pakistani government policies were concerned at that time. But the love for Bollywood movies in Pakistan and the vision of showing good movies irrespective of their nationality overpowered all the pressures. To this, Mahesh Bhatt was very grateful to Kara organisers, "The encouraging response expected from our movies can be gauged from the fact that despite the objections of Pakistan Censor Board to screening of Indian films at the festival, the festival organisers stood their ground and went ahead with the screening," he said at an interview given in India after the Karafilm Festival here.

It's words like these spoken about celecbrities that build reputations and with Nandita Das and Mahesh Bhatt vouching for Karafilm, stars like Ajay Devgan (who had starred in Mahesh Bhatt's excellent Zakhm) turned up. Also, needless to say that once Karafilm broke the taboo of Indian films being screened in Pakistan timed with the one sworn foes deciding to turn friendlier politically, it was only a matter of time before Indian films were screened here.

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If Hasan Zaidi had succumbed to the government's pressure then we wouldn't have had made our stars into icons. Remember Atif Aslam's success story? It all started with his song 'Woh Lamhay' being featured in Mahesh Bhatt's Zeher after which Atif became an even bigger star in India than he was in Pakistan. And, now Atif has 'Tere Bin', 'Pehli Nazar' and 'Bakhuda' to his credit - all superhit songs from Bollywood.

Mahesh Bhatt also took actress Meera to India and gave her the first Bollywood break, Nazar followed by Kasak. She might not have made it big in India but still has projects in hand. One of her upcoming projects is another Mahesh Bhatt production Shohrat - The Dark Side of Fame and the upcoming Jhansi Ki Rani. Bhatt had first met Meera at the Karafilm Festival.

This how the much needed interaction and exchange of talent between the two countries started and, consciously or unconsciously, Hasan Zaidi has played a major role in it.

"It wasn't that easy too as we had to do a lot of advocacy and lobby with the government to make them realise it will help our industry in the long run more than it will benefit Bollywood," says Hasan. "And, that's when Kara became more important because it was not just bringing in international talent here to showcase their work but was also taking our stars to their country for wider exposure and greater opportunities."

To make Kara stand in the line of international film festivals, Hasan Zaidi keeps going to different countries to see how such festivals are run successfully. And, no matter how much he learns from them what Hasan says can't be ignored is that the backbone of film festivals internationally is sponsorship!
"They are heavily sponsored by the government because their authorities take the film industry seriously," shares Hasan. "The Dubai International Film Festival started two years later than ours and now has a 2 million dollar budget. They are far ahead of us even after starting off late.

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"Don't even go to Dubai and take the neighbouring country. The Delhi Film Festival is government sponsored and gives away 10 million rupees for prizes only. On the contrary, we have to rely on just our supporters for financial help," Hasan tells Instep.

Seeing the stability and credibility of Karafilm festivals it won more and more sponsors through the passage of time. What started off as a Kodak sponsorship program got Marriott, TCS, DHL, Cinepax, and different TV channels like Geo and Aaj helping out as media partners over the years. But it was during the last Kara when Mobilink stepped in as their main sponsors and helped Kara save enough money to establish their own office. Before that, they operated its functioning from Hasan Zaidi's home.

Everything for a film festival is here. With Indian films coming in more frequently and international blockbusters like the Dark Knight playing in our cinemas, and local film talent also cropping up slowly, Karafilm could be a stronger platform than ever. It can also be an agent of change, catalysing an industry, creating employment opportunities and building much needed bridges with other forums internationally. Karafilm could also cast a spotlight on the positive side of Pakistan and generate international interest in our country that is much maligned in the foreign press. But for that it needs to happen. Now, that the tentative date is for February next year, one hope that the time is conducive for the show to go on and to go on magnificently.

KARA Timeline
1st Kara: See, hear, feel
Year: 2001
Duration: 3 days
People attended: 2.500

Some 35 films were screened at Alliance Francaise that included the World Premiere of Bawander. Most of the films were of the South Asian origin.

Very few foreign delegates and filmmakers were able to attend the first KaraFilm festival Jagmohan Mundhra, Nandita Das, Siddharth Anand Kumar and Ankur Tewari. Nandita lost Best Actress to Uzma Gilani.

2nd Kara:
The Rebirth of Imagination
Year: 2002
Duration: 8 days
People attended: 7,000

This was the time when the Afghan war was the main concern world over, especially affecting our country. A major bombings occurred in Karachi - at the Marriott and US Consulate. With this, the situation between India and Pakistan became tensed and soldiers took position at their respective borders.

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Because of the political situation, they switched the venue to Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) as Alliance was under strict security. In 2002 year, Kara wasn't as big as it was expected to be with no Indian delegates and few international filmmakers but still it managed to pull through an 8-day event.

Around 70 films featured in the 2002 KARA that includes the premiere of A Small Life directed by New Zealand's director Micheal Heath. Though this Kara was low on international delegates it had Micheal Heath attending the festival despite of all the instability.

The KaraFilm Festival didn't call off the show despite the tense political situation but then it had just started and was striving to make a mark. Whereas, currently Kara can't go down after going up so high with its 6th coming.

3rd Kara: Dekh Magar Pyaar Se
Year: 2003
Duration: 10 days
People attended: 15,000

Over 80 films were showcased in 2003. This year Kara also had the world premiere of Pooja Bhatt's Paap. The number of venues also increased to two with an addition of Cineplex alongside PIIA. Some big international movies that were presented were Khamosh Pani, In This World, Matir Moina and Zakhm. The foreign delegates and filmmakers who attended the festival were Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Elahe Hiptoola, Sabiha Sumar, Catherine and Tareque Masud and Anand Patwardhan. This was when Meera first met Mahesh Bhatt. And the Indian contingent ensured that Kara got bigger than ever. So what if Pooja Bhatt's Paap was a bad film? It still ran house full...

4th Kara:
Dharakta Hai Yeh Dil
Year: 2004
Duration: 10 days
People attended: nearly 15,000

Over 100 films from over 18 countries were screened at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) Auditorium. .

The Festival marked the World Premieres of Pooja Bhatt's Rog and Vinta Nanda's White Noise, at least two documentaries Crossing the Lines and The Forgotten Song as well as many shorts.
The foreign delegates and filmmakers who visited in 2004 were Om Puri, Irrfan Khan, Mahesh Bhatt, Pooja Bhatt, Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, Rakesh Sharma, Elahe Hiptoola, Vinta Nanda, Mohanjit Singh, Ankur Tewari, Shanab Alam, Priti Chandriani, Rani Dey Burra, Alice Stilgoe and Alina Mirza. The Karafilm brand was gaining strength.

5th KARA:
Sab Se Karara
Year: 2005
Duration: 10 days
People attended: 40, 000

Over 150 shorts, documentaries and features marked the success of 5th KaraFilm Festival. As a result, the movies were screened at three separate venues - PIIA, Alliance Francaise and Iqra University.

Amongst the 150 films, Cherry on Top, Holiday and Dubai Return had their world premieres at Kara while Kisna, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, Al-Ghazali - The Alchemist of Happiness and Shooting Dogs were also screened.

The foreign delegates and filmmakers who were there to support their films make up a long list of names including Subhash Ghai, Anupam Kher, Pooja Bhatt, Dino Morea, Sudhir Mishra, Aditya Basu Acharya, Samina Mishra, Avinash Deshpande, Rakesh Sharma, Daksha Bani-Etemad, Priti Chandriani and etc.
And that's not all! This was the first year Kara had invited a chief guest at any of their functions for the last five years. And it was none other than former President Pervaiz Musharraf and his wife Sehba Musharraf.

6th KARA:
Tamanna Ka Chhata Qadam
Year: 2006
Duration: 10 days
People attended: 50,000-60,000

There were a grand total of over 170 films being screened, including over 40 features, over 30 documentaries and over 95 shorts. The venues for 2006 Kara festival were PIIA and Arts Council.
Some of the acclaimed movies showcased were Children of Men, Hope And A Little Sugar, Infinite Justice, Khosla Ka Ghosla, The Incredibles, Man Push Cart, and Omkara.

The foreign actors and filmmakers who visited Pakistan for Kara were Ajay Devgan, Vishal Bharadwaj, Kumar Mangat, Robin Bhatt, Jamil Dehalvi, Mukesh Bhatt, Mohit Suri, Catherine Masud, Jahar Kanungo, Jaideep Sahni, Ruchi Narayan, Tanuja Chandra, Dhruv Dhawan, Shyamal Kumar Karmakar, Ahmed Muztaba Zamal, Dylan Grey, Reema Borah, Alan Krita Shrivastava, Surendra Hiwarale, Raza Malal and Hammad Khan