Adil Najam
The greatly trumpeted, fairly controversial, and mostly disappointing movie Jinnah was released in 1998 to even lesser acclaim than it deserved.
Despite all its flaws–especially its overly convoluted and philosophical plot which contributed much to its failure to excite ordinary non-Pakistani film-goers–it was thought-provoking rendition for Pakistanis: for those who liked the movie, and even more for those who did not.
It is sad that it ended up being seen by very few Pakistanis. The movie’s distribution was extremely sloppy, mostly due to the bickering between the principals of ‘The Quaid Project’. It played in Pakistan (in Urdu and in English) but very briefly and in very few theaters, and was never picked up for serious distribution abroad. Many who wanted to see the movie could not, simply because there was no place to see it at.
That has–belatedly–changed. Someone (it says Jamil Dehlavi) has recently placed the entire movie on video.google where it can be viewed if you have a reasonably fast Internet connection.
You can view it here by clicking on the image below, or go to video.google. The movie is just under 2 hours long, and in two parts.
For Part 2, click for rest of this entry.
Hi,
I am a history lover and an india, i watched the movie. Is good to know story from both the sides. I am a software developer and i want to stupidly compare to a Steve JObs (CEO apple computers) for Bill gates (Microsoft). He said, (amid the bitter history of rivalry) the era in which for Apple inc to win, Microsoft has to loose has ended for me. I am dying to hear from politicians of both of our country the same. For pakistan to win, india does not have to loose. For india to win pakistan does not have to loose.
Pakistan,India and Bangladesh are facts now, lets move beyond it. The europe had fought 2 World wars and millions have died in wars. But still today there currency is same (Euro), you can go without visa from one country to another. Why cant it happen for us. its bizzarre that we fought an enemy together (brutal british empire) but now both countries have good relations to britain but not with each other.
Jinnah is the best movie I have ever seen. I love Jannab Jinnah sahib and I deeply admire the great task which he undertook for the creation of our great land, Pakistan.
A proud Pakistani who loves his country.
Ahmed Bukhari
London
I am an Indian and I must say I did enjoy watching the movie, it’s well made. I like to see things from both sides and this movie did give an additional view. I know that Jinnah was progressive and wanted Pakistan to be a tolerant nation- even Advani agreed to that. Hindus and muslims have completely different way of living and different beliefs. But, I still don’t think that partition was the best idea. We still have muslims in India- president Abdul Kalam, Shahrukh, Amir, ….to even my car mechanic rahis with whom I always enjoy having a chat about cars and general stuff. Muslims enjoy all the festivals here from eid to moharram, without any violence. So, I don’t agree with Jinnah’s thought that muslims needed a separate country.
If people say Babri masjid demolition says that muslims aren’t safe in India, I should point out that it was the plan of some selfish politicians who don’t want even Valentine’s day to eb celebrated and I must say that we all hate them.
We just want Pakistan to be a successful country and prosper. I really don’t enjoy Pakisanis to be always India centric, be it economy or defense or anything. Rise above it! Look beyond India!
Cheers!
Thanks for showing i love pakistan
The movie was smashing….obviously the comical end with shashi wandering around with Mr. Lee who made my tears flow in few scenes….Still we need a lot to know about Quaid as a person but the opening phrase from Stanley Wolpert says it all. …. I pray that we get to see a film parallel or better than ‘Gandhi’ as CGI is here and all we need is initiative.
I heard so much about the film and finally this evening - May 07, 2007 - after about a decade watched it.
All I can say is that when will Pakistanis wake up and think they’ve to do something for their country. Our country may not be seen in positive light, may be poverty-ladden, with mass illiteracy, no proper education and healthcare facilities, no efficient and legitimate leaders; yet it’s our country and we’ve to work to make it “one of the greatest nations of the world” (as Quaid said). Inshallah!
very good.
Thanks for putting this here.
It is interesting for us Pkaistanis but really as a film not that good.
I wish someone will make a better movie on him soon.