Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: May 10, 2022 | 
| 中文
Poster of Chakkar
The plot of the Pakistani film ‘Chakkar’ released this Eid, has been used as a theme by storytellers and filmmakers in the past quite often ‘A Stolen Life’, a 1946 American film produced by and starring Bette Davis, based on a 1935 novel of the same name, was perhaps the first to employ this plot for the screens. It was nominated for Best Special Effects at the 19th Academy Awards. In 1964, Davis again played the role of a twin sister in ‘Dead Ringer’, in which the working-class twin of a wealthy woman murders her sibling and steals her identity. The 1985 TV miniseries ‘Deceptions’, and the 2018 TV movie ‘The Sister’s Secret’, used the same plot. In India, Ramesh Sippy’s ‘Seeta aur Geeta’ (1972), Pankaj Prashar’s ‘Chaalbaaz’ (1989), and David Dhawan’s ‘Judwaa’ (1997) and its remake ‘Judwaa 2’ (2017), used similar themes. This list is by no means exhaustive. In Pakistan, the 1976 Diamond Jubilee film ‘Shabana’ by Nazar Shabab, starring Babra Sharif, Waheed Murad, and Shahid had twin siblings, Shabana and Farzana, both played by Babra Sharif. They swap places to fix domestic life of one caught in an abusive marriage, by replacing her with the more gutsy one. The Jasoosi Digest in December 1980, Pakistan’s most popular monthly suspense magazine, published a story by legendry writer Mohiuddin Nawab titled ‘Laila ki Alif Laila’, which had the same premise of twin sisters swapping places, but with a more sinister twist. Fortunately, the similarities between Mohiuddin Nawab’s story and Chakkar end just before one can pass a verdict of plagiarism.
Ahsan Khan and Neelum Muneer in Chakkar
In Chakkar, the action, maliciousness and confusion gets heightened with the modern sensibilities of cine goers, but that is also where the plot and the ensuing mix-ups pose the biggest challenge for director Yasir Nawaz. He has coproduced the film with his wife Nida Yasir, under the banner of Farid Nawaz Films, and also shares his credit as a storywriter for the film with Zeffer Imran and Syed Jibran.
Yasir Nawaz
Neelum Muneer plays Zara, a leading film star with a temper. Her life of glitz and glamour is on the verge of falling apart as she continues to make enemies, thanks to her difficult temperament. We are also introduced to her good natured, docile twin sister, Mehreen, also played by Neelum. Mehreen’s husband Kabeer Ahmed Khudai, played by Ahsan Khan, is established as a man of principles who does not approve of his wayward sister-in-law, and does not want his wife to have anything to do with her. The siblings though share a sweet sisterly bond, and whenever he is away they meet. During one such meeting while Kabeer is away for a few days on an official trip, Zara proposes that they swap places for the time, so she can enjoy the anonymity of a middle-class quiet existence, and Mehreen take on her role of a diva in the world of lights, action and attention. The fact that Mehreen always wanted an acting career before her domestic responsibilities confined her, is gently slipped in. Things take the predictable turn, and Mehreen living as Zara is murdered. Zara, shocked by this turn of events, decides to keep up the charade. Enters Inspector Shahzad, played by Yasir Nawaz himself, to investigate the murder. What follows after that is a game of greed, deceit, and confusion as audiences struggle to keep pace with how the probability of who committed the crime is shifted from one character to the other.
Neelum Muneer in Chakkar
What helps this whodunit mystery thriller, a welcome break from the usual rom-coms that we get to see churned out by the local film industry, is the star prowess of the actors playing central characters. Neelum Muneer puts in a lukewarm performance, but looks ravishing, and her wardrobe deserves a special mention. Ahsan Khan looks dapper and fits into the role of the male lead with equal aplomb. In Chakkar, despite his lighter skin and colored eyes, Ahsan reminds one of the charm once exuded on screen by the legendry chocolate hero of Pakistani films, late Waheed Murad. Yasir looks good in his role and it is good to see him taking on more acting assignments on TV and hopefully in films.
A fight sequence of Ahsan Khan
Javed Sheikh, Naveed Raza, Shamoon Abbasi, Adnan Shah Tipu, Mehmood Aslam, and Rana Asif provide ample support in character roles, though none of them get much screen time. Ahmed Hasan as Sur Buland Iqbal Cheema has the most lively character in the film, and he pulls it off with authority despite a hideous wig and an obnoxious pot belly. A sequence between Danish Nawaz and cricketer Shoaib Malik is randomly thrown in for comic relief, but doesnt gel with a films storyline. Similarly, a few other comedy inserts tossed here and there seem forced as the plot has enough to keep the audiences glued on its own. Saleem Dad’s cinematography is on point, especially in action sequences set against the overpopulated neighborhoods of Karachi. The approximately 140 min long film definitely could do without good 20 minutes wasted in a few inconsequential sequences.
A scene from the song 'Dil Harray'
The film has two songs, the dance number ‘Chirya’ choreographed by Nigah Hussain and sung by Neha Chudary is forgettable at best. Surprise cameos by Sheheryar Munawar, Faysal Quraishi, Mohib Mirza and HSY barely save it from being absolute cringeworthy. The other and much more palatable song is ‘Dil Haaray’, sung by Momina Mustehsen and Shafqat Amanat. It is melodious and has been shot beautifully with vivid wardrobes against breathtakingly parched terrain of Sindh. Good job by choreographer Zahid Hussain on this one. The music is by Naveed Nashad.
Neelum's item number 'Chirya'
Over all Chakkar is fairly engaging, so I will give it three and a half stars out of five. It brings to focus darker corners of human minds such as greed, disloyalty and deception. Despite its shortcomings, Chakkar will keep you on edge with suspense and that is where the success of the film lies. With more than five domestic and international films released over the Eid holidays, here is hoping that Pakistani filmmakers continue to have an impact and produce popular films.
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