Action Movies

Writer: Akhtar Qayyum
Director: Amir Mohiuddin
Producer: Vision Art Films, MH Films and Malkani Films
Cast: Urwa Hocane, Bilal Ashraf, Goher Rasheed, Ghana Ali, Alyzeh Gabol, Seemi Pasha, Saba Faisal, Saleem Mairaj & others.

Rangreza is essentially a love story and like many other love stories which we have seen on the silver screen lately, this film too has a few social messages as well but unlike some other films which excelled in highlighting these messages while keeping the viewers interested and engaged, Rangreza falls short on many levels. The film is overcrowded with characters you feel absolutely nothing for and the love story doesn’t even start until after the interval. There is a lot of focus on the side characters who have nothing exciting to offer with the exception of Waseem Wallay played brilliantly by Goher Rasheed. Although the character itself is one-dimensional but the energy with which Goher Rasheed has translated it on screen makes it the only performance which stays with you.

Bilal Ashraf plays Ali Zain’s role in the film, he is a famous singer who falls in love with Reshmi (Urwa Hocane) who belongs to a Qawwal family. The family ties and backgrounds of both these characters are just as unappealing as the characters themselves. Bilal Ashraf’s performance is just as plain and forgettable as his character and Urwa Hocane too doesn’t get a chance to showcase her acting skills. Although there is zero on screen chemistry between the leads but it is also a fact that the screenplay is such that it does not even explore the relationship these two share. Ghana Ali gets a lot more screen time than she deserves just like many other supporting characters. Alyzeh Gabol’s cameo in the film is pointless to say the least! Saba Faisal gives a decent performance in the film although her character too doesn’t have a lot to offer.

Watching this film was like watching an average episode of a drama which doesn’t have a solid storyline and is badly executed. The film does not even have the edge of being visually pleasing and it doesn’t have a single well choreographed song to its credit. Urwa Hocane proved that she can dance really well in Punjab Nahi Jaungi but the director and the choreographer failed to make the most of her ability to do so. The most disappointing aspect of the film is that the leading pair is hardly seen together in a romantic setting. Rangreza has the most unimpressive cinematography and overall it has an artificial feel to it which is why you feel completely disconnected from the happenings all through the film. The dialogues are just as plain as the characters and the story and there are also scenes in which the dialogues don’t even make sense. Overall the film is a big “yeh shadi nahi ho sakti scenario” which leaves a lot to be desired and literally puts you to sleep. Unfortunately such films are the reason why the cinema-goers think twice before watching a Pakistani film!

Writer: Shaan Shahid
Director: Shaan Shahid
Producers: Hammad Chaudhry, Faraz Chaudhry, Shaan Shahid
Cast: Shaan Shahid, Uzma Hassan, Humaima Malick, Mohib Mirza. Imran Momina, Yasir Hussain, Ali Azmat, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & others.

Arth – The Final Destination (or Arth 2) is the remake of Mahesh Bhatt’s film Arth, a 1982 Indian film which even today is considered a classic for its groundbreaking storyline and powerful performances. This film therefore had big shoes to fill and I must say that Shaan Shahid deserves full credit for not only doing complete justice to this remake in all departments but also giving this classic a brand new identity. Arth 2 can easily be termed as a better and improved version of the original film because Shaan successfully managed to focus on that one character which I felt did not get the attention it truly deserved in the original version while keeping the essence of the original story and characters intact. Raj’s character in the original film was one of the most likeable characters but his journey wasn’t covered as beautifully in the original version of the film as it has been in this remake. The clarity with which Arth 2 has been executed reflects in every single scene; the characters are brilliantly etched-out and the riveting performances coupled with seamless direction and editing make this film a must-watch.

Arth 2 is essentially the story of two individuals who are lost and find their respective destinations in places where they weren’t even looking. The film has a strong message which is in line with its title but is different from the original film. Unlike many other recent Pakistani films, Arth 2 does not try to achieve too much but it stays true to its primary subject which is why it is a clear winner. Shaan Shahid essays the role of a singer (Ali) who loses his fan base as well as his career when he moves abroad. Shaan Shahid breathes life into this beautiful character almost effortlessly which is why you cannot help but feel and root for him every step of the way. Uzma Hassan plays the role of a housewife who also happens to be Ali’s biggest fan. The journeys of both these characters have been told in such a manner that you feel an instant connection with them right from the get-go. Uzma Hassan gives a phenomenal performance throughout; she owns her character completely all through the ups and downs. Humaima Malick and Mohib Mirza’s performances are equally impressive although there are times when you feel that Humaima Malick’s character gets more screen time than needed and it has also been over-sexualized. With this film Humaima Malick proves that she is perfectly capable of giving a solid performance therefore there was absolutely no need to focus on her sexuality so much.

This movie also has some beautifully composed songs to its credit with lyrics which gel in perfectly with different situations. Every song represents a specific point in a character’s journey therefore these songs are not just enjoyable but also unforgettable. Arth 2 is a complete package, a film which you can watch over and over again. It has an amazing screenplay, brilliant performances and it has been shot beautifully. The only disappointing aspect of the film is that the dialogues are mostly in English, there are many times when you want these beautiful characters and those wonderful actors speaking Urdu. That is the only reason why I gave this film 4 stars. I hope that the next time Shaan Shahid decides to make a film as beautiful and compelling as this one, he writes the dialogues in Urdu.

Since the release of Waar, there is one thing we hear all the time and that is, “Support Pakistani Cinema“. Well, Guys! Cake is the film for which we all should be saying this and repeating it over and over. This is in just two words: A MASTERPIECE! Let’s break it down, of course, without any spoilers.

Story And Performances:

Cake is the story of a family and their emotions and bonding with a major twist. Zain(Faris Khalid), Zareen(Amina Sheikh) and Zara(Sanam Saeed) are three siblings who are stuck with a lot of problems in their personal lives. With a tragedy in the family, they all are pulled back and comes out the monster everyone was hiding for a decade. The characters of the story are so well written that you can feel what they are going through. The ladies of Cake are the true show stealers. They are shown as very strong and badass women and all the actresses have done 100% justice to their roles. Amina Sheikh and Beo Zafar(the mother) are just THE BEST! They melted completely into their roles and for the whole film, they are their characters, not themselves. Sanam Saeed has also been fabulous as the caught-in-self Zara. Muhammad Ahmed is outstanding as a loving husband and a protective father. Romeo played by Adnan Malik is a very important character but Adnan has not been very outstanding in the portrayal. However, in the most important scenes, he has done better and the other cast members have filled the low that was being created.

Direction, Editing And Music:

The director Asim Abbasi has nailed it. As they say, the director is the captain of the ship and he had stayed true to the statement. He has brought out the best in every actor and kept every layer of Cake juicy and delicious. Editing is another strong point of Cake. The film has been perfectly edited with not a single extra scene. The cinematography is beautiful with mesmerizing frames which will make one fall in love with the screen. Music is also Cake’s strong point. The Sketches have produced the music and it just soothes the nerves. There are no special sequences for the songs. The story moves forward along with the songs and they have been placed in the perfect places.

Some Really Cool Stuff:

We have problems in our lives which are not just marriage and love stories and Cake has shown that. No one is whining over lost love. These ladies have careers, ambitions and they are strong. They are Zameendaars. Cake has addressed many taboos too from not having children in your thirties to smoking to the ordeals of a divorce. They have shown minorities in a very positive light too. Adnan’s character who is a Christian has not been stereotyped and is shown in a very positive light.

To sum it in a line: “This is a very delicious Cake which has a lot of frosting but is not heavy, it is sweet but not too sweet, it just melts in the mouth with every bite.”

Written by: Fasih Bari Khan
Directed by: Meenu Gaur – Farjad Nabi
Produced by: Dawn Films – IMGC Global Entertainment

7 Din Mohabbat In is visually stunning, smartly written, emotionally captivating, thoroughly entertaining, suspenseful and crowd pleasing. There are very few romantic comedies which make you connect to the characters instantly because they are not pointless and 7 Din Mohabbat In is definitely one of those films. It is appealing right from the get-go and holds your interest till the end. 7 Din Mohabbat In is not just another love story, it is unique and unforgettable. Shehryar Munawar’s award-winning performance is the highlight of this film since the story essentially revolves around his character. It was truly refreshing and extremely enjoyable watching Mahira Khan play a character which was both sweet and appealing. Neeli is one-of-a-kind heroine who doesn’t get as much screen time as the hero but definitely manages to impress in every single scene. Javed Sheikh once again manages to make his presence felt. He keeps on surprising the viewers with his definite screen presence and continues to play roles in films which are completely different from one another but are always impressive and entertaining. The stellar performances by the entire cast, intelligent direction and first-rate special effects are few of the reasons why this film is a must-watch. Mira Sethi’s performance is the most pleasant surprise in this film. The superb styling and brilliant makeovers also give this film a definite edge.

7 Din Mohabbat In is the story of a young man who sets out on an unexpected journey in the most unusual manner. This journey turns out to be an exciting, unpredictable and engrossing adventure. The people he finds along the way are equally interesting and pleasing. The story never gets too serious and even those comic dialogues which weren’t exactly brand new were translated on screen in such a manner that they had a fresh appeal. The background score is impressive throughout and the editing is perfect. All the songs in the film are different from one another but equally pleasing. The cinematography is top-notch throughout.

7 Din Mohabbat In is definitely a must-watch. In my opinion it is not one of the best but the best Pakistani film of recent times. Shehryar Munawar and Mahira Khan look perfect together and their sizzling on-screen chemistry coupled with their delightfully entertaining track will leave you spell-bound. The entire supporting cast of this film is equally impressive and faultless. This film has all the right ingredients in the right proportions and is emotionally gratifying. If you are looking for something fun and entertaining to watch this Eid then don’t miss this one!

Parwaaz Hai Junoon – written by Farhat Ishtiaq, directed by Haseeb Hassan & produced by Momina Duraid is a Pakistani film released on Eid ul Azha & it is definitely a must-watch because right from the beginning, it just grabs your attention & each & every frame tells a tale of the hard work that has gone into making this movie what it is.

Parwaaz Hai Junoon is a story revolving around the lives of Pakistani Air Force Cadets & Pilots. The movie shows all the phases that one goes through in order to serve their country; from having a dream in their eyes to join the Air Force, to perseverance shown through the course of their training, to the time when the Country needs their services, alongside their personal lives where they are just regular people experiencing all kinds of emotions. The movie has a perfect blend of everything; there’s comedy, there’s romance, there’s drama & then such moments where you are left teary eyed because you have formed this connection with all the characters that they affect you on an emotional level. Parwaaz Hai Junoon highlights how everyone associated with Air Force is not only a fighter by profession, but is a fighter & a go-getter in every aspect of life – that is why all the characters have one thing in common & that is competitiveness. I must say what I liked the most about Parwaaz Hai Junoon is that it doesn’t portray everyone as a robotic hero, they all are shown as human beings who have their strengths & weaknesses, which makes it all quite realistic.

The story keeps on shifting between the past & the present, which some viewers might find confusing at first but it later makes sense & everything falls into place. Sania (Hania Amir) & Hamza (Hamza Ali Abbasi) are the lead characters with the entire movie based on their journey; together & on their own as well. Nadir (Shaz Khan), Saad (Ahad Raza Mir), Zaid (Syed Shafat Ali) & Rashid Minhas (Sikandar Vincent Khan) are the supporting characters who also have a very strong role to play. The cast also includes actors like Rasheed Naz, Asif Raza Mir, Hina Bayat, Marina Khan, Kubra Khan, Shamoon Abbasi, Adnan Jaffar, Farhaan Ali Agha, Faris Shafi & Mustafa Changezi & each one of them have played their roles to perfection. It is worth mentioning how fit & schmick everyone looked & how they all paid attention to the body language, fitting the characters they were assigned to portray.

The songs are really nice & have been picturized beautifully too but I feel they could have cut down on a couple of them to show us a bit more of their lives as Cadets in training. My favorite has to be the Qawwali because the scenario that it was used for struck a chord even more because of that. A good part of the movie is dedicated to personal lives of Hamza, Sania & Nadir that at times I felt I wanted to see more of what was happening in the Air Force Academy. It won’t be wrong to say that Parwaaz Hai Junoon can also be classified as a love story but yes, when the movie ends, you totally come out feeling satisfied with the message conveyed loud & clear that the love for Pakistan overruled everything for all the characters. It has been reinforced repeatedly that for men serving their country, nothing else matters more than Pakistan. Operation Zarb e Azb has also been touched upon & the way the Cadets are trained to become GD Pilots has been shown convincingly as well but I wish this part was elaborated further because it was done so so well & was quite interesting to watch!

The movie is visually appeasing & aesthetically sound with the director doing complete justice to the beauty of Pakistan. Every single frame is awe-inspiring & I must say, the opening sequence along with all the other flying sequences were brilliantly done. Special effects & graphics were totally impressive. I must say I am impressed that in a span of 2 hours 10 minutes, they managed to show so much & gave coverage to each & every character that you don’t feel anything was missed out.

I highly recommend Parwaaz Hai Junoon & I must say, Hamza Ali Abbasi has found a new fan in me. He surely has carried the movie on his shoulders & Hania Amir proved that she was a right bet for playing such a huge role because she was phenomenal & has a strong screen presence. The chemistry between the characters is amazing too. Shaz Khan & Ahad Raza Mir were brilliant. Kubra Khan didn’t have much role to play & I feel any other actress could have done that character just fine. Syed Shafaat Ali was phenomenal & he perfectly provided that comic quotient which was needed in the film. Haseeb Hassan deserves a special mention because without his vision, Parwaaz Hai Junoon wouldn’t have been this good. Camera work, direction, angles & different shots contributed a lot in setting the mood of the film right.

If you want to enjoy this movie completely, I will suggest going without expecting anything & it will surely surprise you. I really didn’t have anything on my mind & I took the movie as it came & ended up enjoying it a lot. For me, a blend of everything works & because the movie started on a lighter note & then got intense, it ended up being a complete package. I won’t give anything away but I will say, my favorite character has to be of Sherbatgul & to find out who he/she is, you will have to watch Parwaaz Hai Junoon yourself!

Written by: Vasay Chaudhry
Directed by: Nadeem Baig
Produced by: Six Sigma Plus & Salman Iqbal Films

*Spoiler Alert*

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 keeps the essence of its prequel intact but the addition of new characters and actors definitely makes the film more entertaining. This time around Sherry’s (Humayun Saeed) story is different but the relationship between the three friends remains the same. Right from the time the movie starts, you look forward to watching Pervaiz, Sheikh and Sherry together and once they are finally together, their journey is more entertaining than it was in the prequel. In this Sequel Rahat (Fahad Mustafa) is the new main lead and he makes his presence felt in every single scene. Fahad Mustafa definitely takes the lead in this film for so many reasons and outshines all the other male leads. Ahmed Ali Butt is once again seen doing what he does best – nailing a comic role! Vasay Chaudhry’s comic timing is always remarkable therefore he does not disappoint either. Just like many other romantic comedies made in Pakistan, this one too opens in Pakistan and later takes its viewers to Turkey and then Dubai. Like every other comedy film which essentially revolves around men, the female leads do not have a bigger role to play but their characters have definite traits and are not merely caricatures. The comedy element of the film is far more entertaining than the romantic one. The romantic tracks are not covered convincingly, I did not find myself rooting for either of the couples. Sherry and Salina (Kubra Khan) fell in love a little too soon and the dialogues and situations that ensured immediately after their first meeting were not exactly convincing. Although, this is a comedy film and the situations do not necessarily have to make sense but even then this was a rare case of love at first sight.

Although, there are jokes, scenarios and even dialogues in the film which are not exactly brand new but most of them were enjoyable. Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2 is visually pleasing and the director Nadeem Baig has shot every single scene beautifully. There is a lot of focus on Pepe and Rahat’s relationship dynamics in the beginning of the film but later on you are left wondering if there was need to focus on this aspect in such detail. Out of the songs in the film “Aya Lariye” and “Lahore Teray Te” were the best ones – they were catchy, had a Pakistani feel to them and they were well choreographed and captured. Like most of the Pakistani films, this one too could have been easily chopped down. Also, like every other comedy film, this one too has social messages. Although, the Pakistan/India dialogues made the situations relatively more serious but the message they gave was well-put-together. I also feel that Humayun Saeed looks great in traditional attire and he cannot pull off the cool boy look any more. He also has more of a screen presence in serious and emotional situations. Fahad Mustafa’s wardrobe, his entire look and his body language was the most impressive. Ahmed Ali Butt was a lot like he is in award shows when he is giving performances therefore anyone who enjoys watching him do that will definitely enjoy this film as well.

Sarwat Gillani is just as likeable as Gul as she was in the prequel. Uzma Khan looks great in this film and her performance is superb too – she should be given more meaty roles in films because she looks good on the big screen. Mawra Hocane’s makeover is perfect but there is nothing new about her look or performance. In the first few scenes, it is easy to tell that Kubra Khan’s entire look is greatly inspired from that of Karina Kapoor, she also looks a lot like her in few scenes but Kubra looks much more pretty with the long hair and traditional look. Omer Shehzad was the surprise package in the film, I have never seen him perform before therefore watching him own his character with confidence was a pleasant surprise. He is another actor who should be seen on the big screen more often. Sohail Ahmed entertains as usual which was definitely not surprising. Kanwalijit Singh is extremely impressive as Salina’s father – loved his dialogue delivery and the treatment he gave to his character. Hamza Ali Abbasi makes an appearance in the end which is definitely good since he was an important part of the prequel. Adding political references in a film is risky business but JPNA makers took that risk! The story of the film however does not really justify the title.

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 has more highs than lows. If you don’t over-analyze the jokes, want to watch a film with the sole purpose of being entertained then you will not be disappointed. If the social messages were not presented too seriously, the romantic tracks were not handled so carelessly and some of the scenes were chopped down then this film would have been so much better. Overall however, the film is visually pleasing and is sure to make you laugh right till the end.