(UPDATE: You can view this movie here).
We had a preview of the movie Khuda Ke Liye at ATP where we had posed a question whether Shoaib Mansoor will be able to revive Pakistan cinema? A probable answer comes from myself who recently got chance to see this movie. The record breaking Pakistani film Khuda Ke Liye has become my favorite film overnight- Hollywood inclusive. Or more accurately I should say, that there hasn’t been a film in the past that has moved and affected me in this way.
Given the standing ovation the film is getting in theatres all over Pakistan from rich and poor alike, one can safely say that I am not the only one. For one thing it is a uniquely Pakistani story, which could have only come out of Pakistan. To sum it up, it is about us – the people of Pakistan warts and all- take it or leave it.
The genius of Shoaib Mansoor was never in doubt for those who have seen his videos or for that matter the famous Alpha Bravo Charlie – the TV Drama on Pakistan Army. What I was unprepared for was the depth in his thought and the way he has managed to capture the Pakistani dilemma on screen. Ours is a complex and rich predicament which needs to be captured in all its nuances and appreciated in all its paradoxical colors. KKL did just that.
I went to the theatre expecting to see the same old liberal v. fundo arguments. There were those, but unlike how these arguments play out in “The Friday Times” and the “Nawai Waqt“, this remarkable film is fully conscious of its Pakistani identity and the strong Islamic component that forms part thereof.
At the risk of spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it, this is the story of two brothers, Mansoor (played by Shaan) and Sarmad (played by theatre actor/musician Fawad of EP fame) both musicians, brought in a well to do Pakistani family. Mansoor and Sarmad are torn apart by the latter’s increased involvement with a certain Maulana Taheri (based most probably on Maulana Sami ul Haq of JUI-S component of the MMA), who turns the soft spoken Sarmad into full fledge Jehadi.
Things are complicated when the brothers’ cousin Mary arrives from London to spend a few days with them, only to discover that she has been tricked by her father into coming to Pakistan to avoid her marrying her Non-Muslim boyfriend Dave. Meanwhile Mansoor leaves for Chicago to enrol at the “School of Music” there. In an epic that switches from London to Lahore to Waziristan to Nangahar Afghanistan to Chicago, these ordinary Pakistanis are increasingly faced with both internal and external conflict. And then there is September 11.
Shoaib Mansoor does not miss a beat, he does not leave any stones unturned. While all characters have more or less the same significance in this plot, it is Mansoor who is at the centre of it: Mansoor who is a proud Pakistani and secure in his Muslim identity, Mansoor who warns Sarmad against extremism, Mansoor who puts the best Muslim and Pakistani foot forward, Mansoor who is abducted by FBI in the middle of the night and beaten and tortured to a pulp, humiliated and abused for being a Pakistani and a Muslim. He is the contrast to Sher Shah and Maulana Taheri. But there are contrasts on the other side as well… Jenny who loves Mansoor for being Mansoor, his classmates who spontaneously join in when Mansoor performs his “music from Pakistan”, his African American professor… all stand in contrast to the American torturers of Mansoor.
The dialogue reaches a fever pitch in a court room in Lahore, where Mary is engaged in a prolonged legal battle. Enter the Bollywood star Naseeruddin Shah. He plays the character of a long bearded progressive Islamic scholar (probably based on Maulana Ahmed Javed and Allama Javed Ahmed Ghamidi of Lahore). In what would be the localised version of “Inherit the wind” Courtroom drama, he engages Maulana Taheri and his coterie in an argument on Islamic law and Islamic dress code.
“There is beard in religion, but no religion in beard,”
declares Shah, adding that
“Two men who did the greatest service to Islam in Pakistan, Mahomed Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal, did so without a beard and out of the so called Islamic dresscode, in western dress.”
It was on this line that the entire hall filled with applause. Islam – the universal faith – has no uniform. This lays the stage for the final scene- the most poignant scene of the movie, filmed in Lahore’s beautiful Wazir Khan Mosque– the scene which once again made a Muslim out of me. I’ll let you watch it yourself to understand what I am talking about.
As for the film itself, there seem to be a few technical glitches earlier on but they are easily forgotten. Iman Ali‘s performance as Mary or Maryam in the beginning is annoying and one finds her concocted British accent a little annoying at first. However it grows on you and one discovers the fullness of her effort- which is by far the best I have come across by a Pakistani actress. As for the music, those of you who have only heard Bandaya, you are in for a surprise. The film is as a whole an incredible musical experience. What is more is that you discover how aptly Shoaib Mansoor has placed his music in the various scenes. Indeed, driving back from Lahore on the motorway, I could recount/recollect every scene just by listening to the soundtrack.
This is a movie no Pakistani can afford to miss.
Salam aleikum, great review, i mdefinietly going to watch this movie..it released today on dvd in usa..im an indian muslim but has pakistani relatives/friends …. I love to visit pakistan once…inshallah i will very soon…
Hats off to the very genius MANSOOR SHOAIB for bringing out such a real Pakistani movie.Completely agree with the review,,,i had just seen the movie and dint think for a moment that KKL was against Islam in any one scenes so all those fatwahs are just pointless. The arguments were well justified. One more thing which i would like to add to the review is that the story was well strecthed b/w characters and the viewer is never let bored in the film.
Tariq
wow i just went through about 15 pages of comments and just had to put in my bit.
A film is a film. It, as has been pointed out before, is not something to learn religion friom. Although i agree it raises many controversial issues, i do not understand why people would deprecate the film itself. It is a great film, with some absolutely masterful acting friom shaan, a great script and extremely powerful and thought provoking themes not to mention an astounding soundtrack, which deserves respect and recognition on its own. It is highly disappiointing to see people not appreciating a film for just what it is, an expression of ideas, thought and feeling.
It is alsio extremely sad that we Muslims have to argue over everything, especially our religion,. Every Muslim believes in his/her own way. whether they decide to grow a beard or wear a burqa, and it is no ones right but Giod Almighty’s Himself to judge anyones religion but their own. What should be more important to us as human beings is whether we are good human beings or not, not whether someone else is a good Muslim or not.
The ideas expressed in this film may or may not be true, but no one asked anyone to see this film for a spiritual awakening. If one believes truly, this film will not make a difference to their religious ideology, and one who does not believe will ponder about Islam and may even be influenced to be a better Muslim. Where is the harm in that?
This movie does not attack Islam. Fundamentalism, twisted fathers and our hypocritical set of values yes, but Islam, no. I think its really time for us Muslims to develop an aesthetic sense and appreciate a film for what it is.
Personally, i thiought it was a great film, especially as it was Pakistani and we rarely produce many good things. It is moving, deep and emotionally draining, all characteristics of an epic.
I guess this is the first time the history has been made in Pakistan Cinema. KKL, a story that unfolds the issues of time in a fashion to both concious and subconcious minds. 60 years and yet we dont have a clue for what we really stand for. I stand by Justice, certainly not music and obviously not religion.
The government however has a huge to role to play in it. They always step aside in hard times for which pakistanis are and always been really grateful. Throwing the whole blame on a group that was created and sponsered by the same governments who are now calling them jihadist or Terrorist is simply absurd. Am glad atleast somebody is loyal to their people. On the other hand, its $5000/ person. A British citizen gets justice as soon as she was able to contact the embassy while supreme court’s chief justice was humiliated by those who should protect and serve.
“Justice delayed is Justice denied”
We take things for granted. How many funerals we have got to go to? how many scenes of crimes we have to witness? before we realize that the only way out of this is to “struggle to survive”. You want a change you’ve got to fight for it. Ain’t nobody is gonna give it to you. You just gonna have to take it.
“No Justice, No peace”
I think I got carried away.lol.must be the movie.Music was gr8888 especially > was off the hook. gr888 script, gr888 work, way better than those bollywood masala movies. This is a beginning of something huge. cheers and good luck.
I guess its the first time in Pakistan the history has been made and the issues are unfolded in a fashion that addresses the consious and subconcious minds. 60 years of independance and we still confused about whether we’re secular or fundamentalist. Its about time to ease up a little bit.
But ofcourse the government has a huge role to play on this issue. Putting the whole blame on a group and labeling them as a terrorists wont solve a thing. The whole world knows who created Taliban and who sponsered it. Atleast somebody is loyal to their people. For every problem, there’s a solution. Solution is Justice.
“Justice delayed is Justice denied”
“No Justice, No peace”
gr88888 effort and excellent script. I hope its the beginning of something huge. cheers and good luck.