And Lollywood Shows Improvement!

I am a biggest Pakistani movies’ fan, and I am not shy or hesitant to say that. But in the last few years (better say a decade or more) I have not seen many quality oriented movies in terms of script, performances and tone. Khuda Kay Liay, Bol, Yeh Dil Aapka hua and few other movies were technically and script-wise good along with the performances that were impressive. Rest of the movies, sorry to say, were typical formula based that offered no quality content to audiences.

Few days ago I was enlightened to watch the trailer of “Naach” – a joint venture of Nasir Teherani and Manduck Collective Films. It was a state of surprise for me watching finest actors delivering some great dialogues (I must add, Pakistani industry once had the best of dialogues back in 60’s to early 90’s). This movie is claimed to be the first ever movie produced in Pakistan that is based on Dance. It showcases the amazing talents of Javed Sheikh, Shaan, Momal Shaikh, Noman Butt and Komal Rizvi along with many glittering stars. The movie is based on passion, dance, romance, inspiration and imagination.

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The trailer of the movie is very appealing and it builds up the curiosity to watch the movies – which in itself is a victory. Let us not go in to the debates of originality of the concept or inspirational adaptation. Just consider this movie as a move of brighter cinema. Jaaved Sheikh is definitely amongst the finest actors of Pakistan right from the days of “Shama” and the way he delivers his dialogues in “Naach” is tremendous, his voice and his moves will impress you the way they impressed me.

Shaan, on the other end, is the most sensible actors of Pakistan, leaving apart the kinds of movies that “masses” like. After all, someone had to step into the genre of the movies that was introduced by late Sultan Rahi. And he undoubtedly did a remarkable job in maintaining and increasing that list of cinema goers. Whether it was his “Guns N Roses”, “Very Good Dunya Very Bad Log”, “Tere Pyar Mein”, “Ghoonghat”, “KKL” and “Moosa Khan” Shaan always tried to give composed, remarkable and genuine performance. It is a shame for Pakistani directors to not to offer him roles that he really deserves.

There are many people who would say in a movie that is based upon DANCE, how anyone can cast Shaan and Jaaved Sheikh? both being older and hardly suitable for dancing roles, for all those “think tanks” let me add, try to promote your own stuff, if it is worth appraising. Did you ever thought the same way when SRK acted as the coach of hockey team?

I am excited to enjoy this movie and I hope those who appreciate quality movies from Pakistani cinema must feel the same.

And TAMANNA BEGUM Dies after Spreading Smiles for Decades – What She Left for me are few Questions

There was a time when Pakistani Film Industry and not “Lollywood” was at its peak. People used to watch Pakistani movies all around the world. We had collaborations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bangkok, China and India etc. Movies used to celebrate Silver, Golden and Platinum Jubilees. Cinemas used to be studded with audiences. In those days, there lived a performer, who was as innocent as a child in all her comic roles and who also had the potential to look cruel and unkind when she used to bag a vamp’s role. Tamanna Begum (late) had one of the strangest personalities that one can find in film industry; incorruptibility and mischievous sprite both at the same time were find in her. And she won her audience in both undoubtedly.

She started her career with Radio Pakistan then in mid-60’s she started theatre and later introduced to Pakistani Film Industry. The woman who performed and competed neck to neck and shoulder to shoulder, with one of the finest comedians of Pakistan ever produced LEHRI along with Rangeela and Munawwar Zareef. On the contrary when she was cast against Agha Talish, Adeeb and Alauddin who were and still are considered as volcano of high voltage dramatic scenes, she stood out with her bravura performance and impressed the audience. She acted with legends of Pakistani film stars like Muhammad Ali, Waheed Murad, Nadeem, Mustafa Qureshi and Shahid etc. and earned the title of legend herself.

She earned a lot of appreciation in comic roles, but I personally prefer her bitter roles as well – it used to take an instantaneous moment to abhor her, with those performances as she fits to the character just like a latex-glove in hand. I suppose this is the quality of a true performer. After the downfall of Pakistan’s film industry, or better put it as, after the transition of Pakistani Film Industry to “Lollywood” she adieu film industry and started to focus on TV dramas. From 1960 to 2012 the legend kept proving herself a true performer no matter what kind of roles she was bagged with. Her journey from Multan to Karachi and from 1960 – 2012 definitely had ups and downs – and only a strong headed and powerful woman like her could manage to travel on such path with consistency and élan.

As per the sources, prior to her demise, she was working for “Bubban House” (An Ever New Production). So, its not just Raj Kapoor or Moin Akhter who believed on the motto “The Show Must Go On” – Tamanna was in the same league of performers too. She was under treatment for 9+ months but government of Pakistan did not bother to take care of her, medically. Not even “Lollywood” cared to provide her any assistance and support. Is it not a shameful thing for a nation? Pakistan’s nation is not equal to few handfuls of individuals who have tenderness for others. To me Tamanna Begum left few questions, after spending a life full of success, pride and serving as a national artist (a national asset).

Questions include;

1. What is the use for working for your nation? At the end of the day every one’s life is busy and don’t have time for others.
2. What is the use of being patriotic? As patriotism does not provide treatment to an ailing patriotic. Money does.
3. Why do we teach live for others and care for others? Show me huge list of examples and not Cheepa, Edhi and such few others.
4. Do we have to wait for another Tamanna Begum to wake up?
5. Lets stop waiting for natural losses or unavoidable disasters to unite as a nation. Try to become a good individual on daily basis and find those people who are suffering from illnesses – of any kind.

Few Facts;

1. She spent 350,000/- PKR for treatment. Only for 9 days. She was admitted in Tabba Heart Hospital, Karachi.
2. She was then taken to SIUT, where she had free of cost treatment. I wish we have more of SUCH organizations.
3. How would a poor individual afford any treatment?

I wish Tamanna Begum’s soul rest in peace and may Almighty grant her mercy. Enough said!