The Most Memorable Pakistani Movie Dialogue Ever?

Posted on January 17, 2007
Filed Under >Adil Najam, People, TV, Movies & Theatre
18 Comments
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Adil Najam

I should confess that one of the posts that I had most fun writing for ATP – and one that I myself go back to often – was our original homage to the movie Maula Jatt.

The title I had used then was ‘Nawa aaya hai, soonia’ which, of course, is the hallmark line from the movie. At that time I had not been able to find a clip where this wonderful line is so wonderfully delivered by Mustafa Qureshi (Noori Natt in the movie). I have found that clip now and wanted to share it with you.

Maula Jatt Part 2 (Nuri Natt)
08:13

The clip that I had included in the earlier post was, I think, a very good exemplar of the ‘juGGat’ style of dialogue and ‘baRak’ style of delivering dialogue, but it is this current clip that demonstrates the art-form at its best. Note the entry of Nuri Natt (in that Clint Eastwood style), note the to and fro of exaggerated dialogue between Mustafa Qureshi and the jailor, note heavy weaving of metaphor in the dialogue. This scene, to me, represents the movie more than any other.

You do not need to know the intricacies of Punjabi to follow the dialogue. Indeed, I find it amusing as well as appropriate that the greatest Punjabi film dialogues were delivered by a Sindhi (Mustafa Qureshi).

On the importance of the movie, I had written in the earlier post:

I do believe â€â€? and I know I am in a minority here â€â€? that Maulla Jatt is not just a remarkable but a milestone Pakistani film. Most people think of it as an ‘actionâà¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ 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… 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 exaggerating (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 (â€Â?Iââ‚ ¬â„¢ll make them an offer they cannot refuseâ€Â?, “kitnay aadmi th-ay?â€Â?, “nawa aaya hai, soonia?â€Â?).

For those unfamiliar with the movie’s political and cultural context, let me repeat again from the earlier post:

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.

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.âà ƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ Unfortunately, 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!

By the way, if you have not seen the movie and want to, nearly all of it can now be viewed on YouTube.

18 responses to “The Most Memorable Pakistani Movie Dialogue Ever?”

  1. Qausain says:

    //Maula Jutt is to Pakistani cinema was Godfather was to Hollywood and what Shoalay was to Bollywood.//
    LOL .. vary true

  2. Like RTU Khan, I didn’t ever know about the movie but yes, the dialogue, and m’ really impressed to see the clip. I mean we have had something in the past, that was probably, or certainly based on the real picture of the society, and so is memorable till yet.

  3. faraz asif says:

    hello all of you
    can any one tell me where i can download this movies or there is any site so i can download pakistani old movies plz if any body knows to let me know my email address is f_t_da@hotmail.com and pakistani old movies are the best but i dont know people why they not making any good movies like we make in past so hope they make again

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