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    Film Review: Arth - The Destination

    Written by: Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid
    Posted on: December 22, 2017 | | 中文

    Arth - The Destination

    The film opens with the announcement, “Inspired by Mahesh Bhatt”. It is actually the Pakistani version of Mahesh Bhatt’s 1982 classic by the same name, in which the legendary Shabana Azmi was in the lead role. Mahesh Bhatt had directed and written the screenplay for this semi-autobiographical film, Shaan Shahid has done the same for the Pakistani version of it.

    Humaima Malik and Mohib Mirza

    Humaima Malik and Mohib Mirza

    The film is shot in the locales of both Lahore and London, and is almost bilingual as the actors switch between Urdu and English with ease, and is accompanied with a good music score by Sahir Ali Bagga to which Rahat Fateh has contributed two superb numbers. Uzma Hassan is a natural as the earnest and unsuspecting wife whose husband is cheating on her. Humaima Malick as the seductive but schizophrenic actor is riveting as a home-breaker, while Mohib Mirza as the struggling but spineless film director fits into his role with aplomb. Those who have seen Humaima Malick in Bol, will be surprised by the versatility of her acting in this role as the proverbial magnetic and destructive femme fatale.

    Humaima Malik

    Humaima Malik

    Shaan Shahid is in the lead role as the recently divorced singer whose wife has taken him to the cleaners, and who returns to Pakistan from UK after a hiatus of twelve years, hoping to revive his career in music. He has portrayed the role of a musician trying to pick up the pieces of his life, with a great deal of sensitivity. He conveys the gentleness of a man in mid-life trying to cope with the ruthlessly competitive showbiz world of Pakistan.  His acting skills are on full display in a role that is a far cry from his familiar macho portrayals in films like Yalghaar, Operation 021 and Waar

    Shaan Shahid (left) and Uzma Hassan (right)

    Shaan Shahid (left) and Uzma Hassan (right)

    The weakness of the film lies in the direction: too much exaggeration in some scenes. The film opens with the divorce scene, but the portrayal of his wife is almost farcical. In another instance of the same problem, when he announces his love for Uzma, her reaction is unrealistically prolonged in its negative intensity. Like most Pakistani and Indian films, it could have been edited to make it easily half an hour shorter, and still not taken away from its entertainment value.

    Uzma Hassan and Shaan Shahid

    Uzma Hassan and Shaan Shahid

    It is a film with an interesting storyline and good acting, but the screenplay and directing leave room for improvement.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021