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Pakistani cinema: The start of a new era
October 14, 2011
Reema has come a long, long way since she stepped out in her debut film ‘Bulandi’ as a fresh faced Lollywood actress to today, when she’s director of a film, a Lux girl and a Pakistani icon in her own right. And while she’s committed some terrible fashion and style crimes along the way- most of which can be attributed to the inherently low budgets Bollywood films have - Reema now looks drop-dead gorgeous. She has finally fit into the part of a movie star and can find her sober, mature and competent actress/director.
Reema Khan’s new film ‘Love Mein Ghum’, released on Aug 31, 2011 across Pakistan, marked the start of a new era in Pakistani cinema.
Casting
Earlier, Shan was picked to play the lead role; however, he declined as he wished to not star in the movie. Shan was not capable of doing the film. However, he clarified that he refused to work when he was shocked to learn that Reema had copied Indian songs for her promo ad, directed by Saqib Malik, India copycats. Secondly, when he noticed that she was not doing justice to the script as an actress and director as well as influenced by Indian content. Basically, I wrote the idea of the film from Paulo Coleho’s novel Veronica that decides to die. Reema however refuted charges leveled against her calling it a white lie. “It was Shan that wasted my time and money when he didn’t bother to attend scheduled shooting that led me the jerk of 5 to 6 million Rs loss”, Reema clarified her position.
Filming
The first spell of the film shooting started in September/October 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan while the second spell of the film was shot in July 2009 in Malaysia. Giving reason to shoot it abroad she has solid justification as stated that its mostly in Baku (Azerbaijan), along with India, Pakistan. First the demand of the story was abroad. Secondly in foreign countries you can shoot it cool and calmly without any disturbance since people and institutions are usually very cooperative. You can’t be disturbed using delaying tactics by them. Thirdly Pakistan’s current political situation especially in Northern areas isn't conducive to shoot anything there. Fourthly a change of picturesque always leaves healthy impression on viewers as well as identifying other country’s culture. Fifthly it strengthens your country’s relationship with them. So, plenty of reasons can be stated.
Post Production
The post production was done in Bangkok and India by Akiv Ali, who was also the editor of Hrithik Roshans Kites which was released in 2010.
Budget
Reema Khan, the director and producer of the film, claims that Love Mein Ghum is the most expensive film to be made in Lollywood. In an interview, she said: "I have not compromised on any aspect of the movie, from music to clothes, and from sets to post-production everything is done with open heart and no compromises were made, the best available gadgets were used for the movie production and post-production".
Story:
Zindgi (Reema) works as a Librarian abroad. By temperament she is an innocent girl who isn’t much aware about social values. That’s why she hurriedly believes the hypocrite love of Wilson and falls in love. Wilson in a kidding mood humiliates her in public gathering. Zindgi takes this insult to mortify her passions. She attempts to commit suicide but timely saved by Doctor Kanwal (Nadeem).
On the parallel, Haroon (Javaid Sheikh) marries young woman Nisha (Jia Ali) whose sole aim is to extort the property of her old husband but she feels his young son Moammar Rana the major obstacle. To defame him, she employs cunning sexy tricks but her advancing steps are always restricted. However, one day when she forcibly tries to subdue her ill wish, Haroon’s arrival changes the scene. He accuses his son of this heinous act and forces him to leave the home. The disappointed Momy commits suicide but again saved by the Doctor Baig (Nadeem) who is a friend of Haroon. Both patients Zindgi and Momy fall in love and start a new life. The love infuses new energy in them to live a healthy life. One day Shina’s ill plan is overheard by Haroon. He divorced her and apologies to his son and brings back both Zindgi and Momy. In other words ‘Love conquers all’.
Analysis:
After a long time Pakistani audience is able to watch such a nice romantic movie with excellent screenplay, music. The cameraman captured some beautiful scenes which add to the beauty of the film. Earlier, Reema was considered a good dancer than actress but with the passage of time she improved her skill of acting. The best part of her life is that she has declined to work in third rated formula type films that brought disaster to Lollywood. Well in her film Johny Lever from India and Rambo both couldn’t leave any positive impression but overacting. Their role was additional. In no comic scene they leave any laughter to viewers. However, remarkable performance is seen by Jia Ali who has just now made her cinematic return.
Amazingly, she was the one who stole the show. She is a mother of two children but how young and attracting damsel she was looking on screen that viewers remarked: “she is attractive enough to tempt”. She recalls the glory of Husna Begum whose vampishness is legendary. Romantic heroes of the past Nadeem and Javaid Sheikh did better than they did in ‘Bhai Log’. Such type of roles quite fit to their personalities and age. Moammar Rana proved a mature actor after ‘Yeh Dil Apka Hua’. The gentleman had spoiled himself engaging in third rated Punjabi movies. His scenes with Shina are praiseworthy because of how emotive he is capable he is being without saying a word.
However it is noteworthy that the film was completed keeping in view the previous title, ‘Kitni Haseen Zindgi’. Consequently the title ‘Love mein Ghum’ have nothing to do with each other. That is why Reema injected additional song at the end of the film with multi stars that had zero roles in the film’. It would be far better if previous title be accepted.
The fact is that Reema might suffer financial loss due to her film but she deserves appreciation for daring to take a different course. She is also planning to screen her film abroad. She proved to be an excellent director and actress. The success of ‘Love mein Ghum’ opened doorsteps for Reema as director. Producer Shane Mustafa and Evernew pictures have offered her to direct their next venture. She is frustrated at the government’s inaction to stop the screening of Indian film ‘Body Guard’ at this critical juncture. “Look, they are free to screen Indian films throughout the year but at least give us one week on Eid. “Body Guard’ earned Rs25 million from Pakistani cinema. If that be not released the same amount would be generated by our films,’Bhai Log’, LMG as well as Jugni”, Reema sorrowfully said. Despite all these hurdles she is not disappointed and planning to screening her film abroad.
Music
Love Mein Ghum's original music is by M. Arshad, Najat Ali, Waqar Ali, Ravi Behal and Huntar and the lyrics are penned by Khawaja Parvaiz, Ahmad Aqeel Ruby and Marz. The singers include Ali Zafar, who has sung the title song of the film and Abrar-ul-Haq, Kailash Kher and Shazia Manzoor for song 'Sohniye Yaadan' Composed by Ravi Bal, Sunidhi Chauhan and Hunterz for Aila Aila, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shaan. Lyrics are penned by the late Khawaja Parvez.
Choreography:
Pappu Samrat is the choreographer who has praiseworthy words for Reema and calls her a good planner. Pappu told this scribe that most of unprofessional producers don’t have time to plan film or choreography. They just order us to come on the set and do whatever you have in mind. That’s the reason that most of the songs sequence less. That’s just exercise not badan ki shairi. But Reema provided at least three days for rehearsal of a song and then to picturise. I hope both me and Reema haven’t disappointed the audience but they have seen this time new steps, fresh angles of choreography.
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