Print

    Film Review: Lahore Se Aagey

    Film Lahore Se Aagey Review

    Written by: Momina Mindeel
    Posted on: November 14, 2016 | | 中文

    Saba Qamar as Taraa and Yasir Hussain as Moti

    “Amidst all things bad in 2016, Pakistani cinema is giving us hope” had lately become my favorite conversation topic, until I watched Lahore Se Aagey, the sequel to last year’s Karachi Se Lahore. To put it simply, the film was all over the place with its poor storyline and witless humor. The foot-tapping songs and beautiful scenery were the only things that kept it going. I entered the cinema hall hoping to get a good cinematic experience but came out entirely dejected, a sentiment that I just cannot seem to conceal even though I am generally a very positive person.

    Lahore Se Aagey revolves around Karachi Se Lahore’s popular character Moti (Yasir Hussain) and his quest to reach Swat in order to meet his dying mamu (maternal uncle) played by Behroze Sabzwari, who wishes to entrust all his belongings to Moti. Mamu’s rather avaricious wife (Rubina Ashraf) dispatches two ghunday (assassins) to kill Moti before he reaches Swat, so that she becomes the sole recipient of her husband’s wealth. Amidst all the bedlam, Taraa, an aspiring rock star, is headed to Islamabad for a singing competition when she almost runs Moti over by her car. Moti ends up asking Taraa to help him escape the ghunday, and together, they set off to Islamabad. As expected, the two fall in love in a span of a day and a half. The rest of the movie is unfortunately a futile attempt at binding together out-of-place scenes, music and humor.

    Film Lahore Se Aagey
     

    Given that it is supposedly a road trip from Lahore to Swat, one would have hoped to see some real landmarks and genuine picturesque scenes from the north. However, all we get to see are some scattered sequences with Moti asking people to beat up a British national (I did not really understand what this scene wanted to convey and how it could be amusing to anyone), some tribal rave night dance competitions, Moti and Taara stopping by Katas Raj Temple for a song, and Saba Qamar randomly agreeing to dress up and dance to Kalabaz Dil.

    Film Lahore Se Aagey

    Moti and Taraa at Katas Raj Temple

    Moti and Taraa’s journey paints an extremely unrealistic picture of road trips in Pakistan, with both of them camping and dancing wherever they please. Cherry on top: they randomly end up at a tribal rave night, where Wajahat Rauf, the producer of the film, is shown as the tribal leader in – wait for it – blackface. Despite relentless debate on the offensive connotations of blackface outfits, Wajahat Rauf still chose to go with them. The rest of the film is equally inundated with inappropriate references and crude humor.

    Lahore Se Aagey’s only savior is its music. The song Kalabaz Dil, if watched in isolation, perfectly embodies all the characteristics of a quintessentially entertaining item song, with Aima Baig’s incredible voice and Saba Qamar’s stellar dance performance. The rest of the songs are good too, but their picturization is too poor to ignore in most cases. The great soundtrack is the result of Shiraz Uppal’s incredible musical talent and Shakeel Sohail’s cheery lyrics.

    Film Lahore Se Aagey

    Atiqa Odho as seen in the film

    Given their seniority and previous experience, one would expect to see Behroze Sabzwari and Rubina Ashraf in rather classy roles, but they contribute nothing more than stereotypical cameos to the film. The guest appearances by Atiqa Odho, Noor ul Hassan and Aashir Wajahat (the producer’s son) are a delight to watch. Ali Zafar, Ali Haider and Shiraz Uppal also give amusing special appearances. Unfortunately, though, a few good cameos are not nearly enough to compensate for the general absurdity that encompasses the entire movie.

    Film Lahore Se Aagey

    Noor ul Hassan (left) as 'Balla'

    Overall, Lahore Se Aagey is a major letdown. Certain scenes in the movie make subtle references to a prospective third and fourth part as well, but let’s hope that was just one of the many uninspiring jokes in the film.


    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