Adil Najam
For a moment I flirted with the idea of using the title “The Greatest Pakistani Movie Ever?” (to match with the earlier ATP post on PTV show Fifty-Fifty). But even with the question mark at the end, that would have been unfair on the remarkable movies of the 1960s; particularly, for me, the Waheed Murad–Ahmad Rushdie hits.
That said, I do believe — and I know I am in a minority here — that Maulla Jatt is not just a remarkable but a milestone Pakistani film. Most people think of it as an ‘action’ film (and some would call it an over-action film), but for me it is a dialogue movie. Memorable for its dialogues and even more for how they were delivered by Sultan Rahi and Mustafa Qureshi.
This next clip is a good, although not the best, example of the barak (brawl) vernacular that is the hallmark of the Maulla series of movies.
Let me go out on a real limb here and suggest that Maula Jutt is to Pakistani cinema was Godfather was to Hollywood and what Shoalay was to Bollywood. I know, I know. That is too much to gulp. I am exagerating (on acting quality, for example); but only for effect! But play along and think of it….
It is an action movie most memorable for its dialogue. It blurs the line between good guys and bad guys. It is thick with political and social commentary. And it leaves an imprint on everyday language that lives beyond the movie (“I’ll make them an offer they cannot refuse”, “kitnay aadmi th-ay?”, “nawa aaya hai, soonia?”).
Produced by Sarwar Bhatti and written by Nasir Adib, Maulla Jatt is not only the biggest box-office hit ever in Pakistan’s history (it ran for five years straight), it is also a cultural, social and political icon; for good and for bad.
Released at the height of the Zia-ul-Haq regime, it was full of political innuendo. Die-hard fans will talk about how the message of the movie was that when faced with oppression we sometimes have to take things in our own hand (as Maulla does) but this is a painful process (hence Maulla’s constant desire not to have to use his dreaded ganDassa). At least, this is what the myth became.
Anyhow, I have a feeling I am going to get into trouble for this one; always happens when I mention Maula Jatt.
Amongst a large segment of our educated elites there is a deeply ingrained (and cultivated) feeling that Maulla Jatt is the height of the uncouth, of the ‘paindoo.’ No surprisingly, I find that most who hold this view have never actually seen the movie. So, be it. If paindoo it is, then paindoo I am!
Maula jutt is a 100% dialogue movie. There is no thriller or drama intended to be delivered. And whatever action exists is simply a vehicle to carry dialogues.
And I think it was the first movie in sub continent who had an explicitly sadistic villain. I have not seen that in any other movie before it.
For those who make fun of it being loud and comedic action scenes, well what can i say about you guys. First thing is that its a third world country movie (atleast at that time) its not going to be hollywood standard. secondly even indian movies at that time were full of crap. Hell even much later a movie “border” had a guy blowing tanks with guns and gernades. Tom cruise flies in wrong direction when missile hits the car on bridge in MI3 which is so apparent to even kids.
As far as action scenes being done tastefully goes, well it was tasteful then. dont judge old movies on todays scale.
And finally its a movie for pure entertainment. Just like many other love stories are. Ever wonder how much of big crap they are when trying to judge them on reality or stupidity scale?
Lifestyle of Punjabis. Expression on Punjabi Culture, Punjabi Music, Punjabi Songs. Punjabi Dances, due to the long history of the Punjabi culture and of the Punjabi.
If anybody want to watch the full movie ‘Maula Jatt’, I have upload it on Youtube. And also a lot of other Sultan Rahi Films.
http://www.youtube.com/user/WeshiJatt
No doute Maula Jat was a success with respect to performance of Sultan Rahi and Mustifa Qureshi by virtue of dialoigue, action and business but what message way was conveyed to the sociaty. The scanario of our film industry was changed from social, romantic and commedy to violance, which resulted in the down fall of our film industry. The images of Mohammad Ali. Nadeem, Waheed Murad and Kamal were blurred. Onward there was only violance not only in the movies but also in the society. With the depature of Big Names of film industry, next generation is always trying to copy Sultan Rahi but in a very cheep manner.
Mohib,
I saw your post about looking for video of an old Noor Jehan song. Here is a link to it, Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5jAGjge9AI&mode=re lated&search=
By the way someone posted all songs of majajan on Youtube. If you have not seen the movie or heard sound track, do a search on You tube for majajan songs. you will really enjoy it, beautifull music and excellent dances.