Adil Najam
(UPDATE: You can view this movie here).
Shaib Mansoor’s feature film Khuda Kay Liye: In The Name of God is to be released in Pakistan on July 20, 2007. There is great buzz about it; as there should be.
Regular readers know how much respect, even reverance, I have for Shoaib’s work. For me he is one of the single most talented Pakistanis I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
Indeed, one of the single most talented Pakistanis ever.
As we have written before, he may also be the single most under-rated Pakistani artist, since his contribution to TV music, to TV drama, to TV comedy, TV stage shows and to popular music remains unknown to many; too many.
I have not seen the movie myself yet and have been hearing about it from a number of people – including some directly involved – for quite some while. The promo clips are now available on YouTube and – no surprise – the quality of cinematography, of artistic composition, of music, of attention to detail all look great. Typical Shoaib Mansoor. Of course, how the whole package comes across remains to be seen. This is, of course, his first feature film but he is already a master of each of the genres in a movie and his long plays (like Alpha, Bravo, Charlie) must have trained him well for this.
To me, of course, the story is Shoaib Mansoor. For others, however, there are other draws. The cast includes Lollywood superstar Shaan, Bollywood maestro Naseeruddin Shah, Iman Ali (who is PTV’s Abid Ali’s daughter and was in Shoaib’s Anarkali music video), and other notables. But the real story here is the story. Or, rather, the topic of the story.
The film has a wonderful and wonderfully rich website, and according to the synopsis posted there:
The film is about the difficult situation in which the Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims in general are caught up since 9/11. There is a war going on between the Fundamentalists and the Liberal Muslims. This situation is creating a drift not only between the Western world and the Muslims, but also within the Muslims. The educated and modern Muslims are in a difficult situation because of their approach towards life and their western attire. They are criticized and harassed by the fundamentalists and on the other hand the Western world sees them as potential suspects of terrorism just because of their Muslim names. This paradox is resulting in great suffering for a forward looking Muslim.
This paradox of the divided society is, of course, a constant theme of ATP too. It is always a controversial subject here and will be much much more controversial for Khuda Kay Liye. It is, despite the controversy, a topic that we as a society have to confront. Thoughtfully and seriously. Since I have not seen the movie I cannot say how he has treated the subject, but based on his track record if there is anyone who has the ability to deal with this difficult issue sensitively and without turning things into slogans, it is Shoaib Mansoor. All the more reason to watch the movie and refrain from judging it in advance.
But there is another important angle to this too. GEO is promoting the movie as a ‘revival’ of Pakistan cinema. As a long time fan of Pakistani cinema, I certainly hope it is. Again, if anyone can do this, Shoaib Mansoor can.
I saw a post today in Metroblog Lahore that made me think that he just might. It was not about this movie, but about a new very modern movie house opening in Lahore. I have long believed that the reason Pakistani cinema declined is not just because of the movies, but also because of the state of movie houses. Well, this new theatre – the DHA Cinema – is quite something.
With tickets at Rs. 250 and Rs. 500 it may be pricy, but from the pictures at the site, it is clearly something that could attract a lot of people simply for the theatre experience. Interestingly, this theater also opens on July 20, and one of the movies it is opening with is Khuda Kay Liye. Coincidence? Probably not.
I must confess that I have been planning to write this post for nearly two weeks now. I had originally thought of calling it something like ‘The Other Lal Masjid Story’ simply because Abdul Rashid Ghazi had taken an interest in this movie. According to Daily Times (July 3, 2007):
Lal Masjid has demanded a ban on a yet-to-be released movie, Khuda Kay Liye, declaring it blasphemous… “The film is against Islamic norms and traditions and is being released on a private TV channel without prior approval from a censor board. We won’t allow this,â€? said Abdul Rashid Ghazi, the Lal Masjid deputy mullah, who did not mention his source of information about the movie. He said he would not object to the movie if ulema approved it. He demanded that the government form a board to review the film. “The government will be held responsible if the film is released without being censored,â€? he said.
I had not understood then, nor understand now, whether his source of objection was the subject matter, the fact that it has an Indian actor in it, or a statement of support for the Censor Board. I guess we will never really know. I do know, however, that it is bound to be controversial for same for at least two of those reasons. As for myself, I will reserve my judgement until after I see the movie. But anything from Shoaib Mansoor, and anything on this subject, I do want to see.
Here is an actual review of the movie, from Daily Times, which provides insights into what is actually in the movie.
Salamalikum,
Atif, you are right. And nobody is suggesting to abandon this life. You are correct that there are duaa’s that seek goodness (preventation of fitaain/tribulations) of this world and the hereafter. In fact, Rasoolillah (saw) used to seek refuge in Allah from the fitna of extreme poverty. That is so, in my view, because poverty can make you compromise your values and take the wrong path. Allahu Alam. Also, on youtube I was listening to Shaykh Saud ash-Shuraim’s duaa after qiyaamul layl (night prayers) in ramadhan and he made a profound duaa, which went something like: Oh Allah keep us away from the wrong side of riches and the wrong side of poverty. SubhanAllah, profound words that should be contemplated upon. May Allah preserve ash-Shuraim.
Takbeer to what asa said!
Faraz, many/most scholars in Makkah and Madinah and any other place have condemned such actions no matter how difficult the situation might be.
Adnan, I don’t think a movie can bring people closer to Islam. But, nothing is above Allah’s power. My point is making movies to bring people “closer” to Islam is not a correct methodology at all, and can’t be sanctioned by any true scholar. I know you’re not saying that but nevertheless I thought I should point it out.
There is a big difference between extremist on right(religious zealots) and extremist on the left(leftist), the later don’t blow them self killing innocent people nor they tell others to do the same. While the ones on the right(bigots) also do not blow them self but tell others (young poor ones) to do so and acknowledge it without shame believing that the liberals are making them do so (what a logic?).
This evening I came across a blog entry of talha masood in which he had shared an article which reveals the actual story of the movie. Like Talha, I also don’t expect so much stupidity by Shoman since it’s like comitting suicide but since he also belongs to leftist cabal so absurdness shouldn’t be considered unexpected.
IFF this column is true then I must say that every single Pakistan should watch this movie because it will force them to realize the background of liberals,their upbringing and their life styles and they will learn what kinda creature they are. As GEO advertised “sochney par majboor kardey gi” tu really it would make them feel that they are still better than these _educated_ people who after getting degrees in higher institutes still following the path which people used to follow before Islam.
Marketing campaigners have been claiming in different papers that it would bring some kinda “revolution” in Pakistan, offcourse it would because such movie would bring pakistanis more nearer to Islam(Inshallah). Just like spreading Islam all over the world is considered the biggest aftermath of 9/11. I am one of many so called muslims who were pretty careless about religion. Offcourse I was not as low as majority of liberals who never miss chance to abuse religion but I had never realized to practise it Due to heavy participation on web/irc forums during Iraq war and dealing with several yanks and others who used to talk lots of crap about Islam, I had no choice other than finding what actually has been said. So whether it’s Shoman’s movie or Apostate Ali Sina’s faithfreedom website or Bush’s “war on terror”, such lame tactics can never be hurdle infront of Islam. Matter of fact that that today non-muslims and liberals are playing lead role to spread Islam by demonstrating strongest opposition.,hehee lamers :-) Somebody told them that whatever they are doing is against human nature. More you oppose something,more people would get atteacted towards it. THanks anyways *grin*
Khair, the funny thing about the article is that script has been written by media generated scholar Ghamidi. lagta hay ghamidi sahab ko Geo se paise waise nai mil rahay aur mujhe lagta hay wo waqt dur nai jab ghamidi sb ShoMan ki movies ka poster bana rahey honey,akhir kar ghamidi sb k islam me painting halal hey :D
For a moment I had doubt that script was written by Naseeb.com management because they are also struggling hard to spread such things but theN I read name of ghamidi sb. =)
On other hand, India is not allowing to release movie, if it’s true then local liberals could learn something from their seculars fellows across the border;) also the article cleared my confusion which I expressed in my blog that govt is also supporting this project. Kudos!
i think “suicide bombers” are becoming symbol of muslim civilization. Why we are so desparate and powerless. Why not express anger in some other way.
Why our scholors dont gather in Makka and denounce this weapon once for all and declare it haram.