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.
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 � 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 ‘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.
I saw the movie when I was in college and enjoyed it for the dialogue and the dhishoo dhishoo. Then I say it again (on a very bad DVD print) a few years ago. I liked it much better next time because it really has a great story line. Also, I think it has a hero who looks like ordinary people in that region rather than the very ‘beautiful’ looking heros that were appearing in the Urdu cinema of the 1960s. I do think it is a great film.
‘Nawa aaya hai, soonia’
I have set it as new SMS alert tone on my cellphone..! ;)
Talking about old ‘classics’, the names which come into my mind are Munawar Zareef, Ali Ejaz, Naanna, Sudhheer, Rangeela etc. The movies which come into my mind are Geera Blade, Insaan Aur Gagtha; and I would say any movie of Munawar Zareef was a classic. He was the best comadian of Pakistan Film Industry. Some old movies of Rangeels like Kubra Aashiq, in which he has palyed more serious role, were classics too. He was also a wonderful singer.
It would be interesting if folks can list out some memorable quotes from old movies.
I can start by “Kahan se aaye haen yeh Jhumke? Kis ne pehnae haen yeh Jhumke?”. I believe the movie was ‘Badnaam’.
These lines were also used by Majid Jahangir in a 50-50 skit where he plays a Custom officer at the Airport.
I saw this movie when I was a kid and hated it. I have seen bits and pieces of it again and to me, the only reason this movie was such a big hit were those verbal exchanges between Maula Jat and Nouri Nat. Other than that, the direction, the production, the music and the acting in this movie are just like any other formula film produced in those days with “Jat” in their title, not to mention the inspiration behind this film was a film called Wehshi Jat. Also in my opinion, I seriously doubt the cinema going public in those years (early 80s) understood one bit of the social or the political satire, that some claim, is depicted in the film. I think this film is for no reason shoved down everyone’s throat just because it was a huge hit in a country with an abysmal literacy rate! and for any film critic to criticize it in a bad way is tantamount to blasphemy. To me, this movie was extremly ridiculous yet amusing by virtue of the dialogue and those over the top actions sequences, and the very first step towards the self destruction of the entire Pakistani film industry.
Disclaimer: I am a big paindoo, and would prefer Sheeda Pistol and Sala Sahab over Maula Jat any day! :)