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Khuda Ke Liye : A Pakistani film on the so called “Jihad”
Khuda Ke Liye (In the name of God) is the first film by Shoaib Mansoor and he has written, directed and produced the film. As a first film director, he shows great potential and film actually covers the areas which people belonging to other religions want to know about Islam.
How wrong interpretations of the old scriptures by Maulavis have affected the life of Islamic people, its shown by a simple narrative.
A muslim man in his youth may go to a western country like England and may live with or marry a English woman there but he does not allow his daughter to marry an English man because then all of a sudden Islam will come under the danger. After all these years of living in western facilities he is reminded of his roots. He is ready to cheat his own daughter. Her daughter, half british young woman, is married to a young Pakistani man, who has been hypnotized by poisonous preachings of a Maulavi.
Film has its moments and several scenes leave long lasting impact as they should leave when film deals with such subjects.
Three main characters and through their lives writer/directors tries to dig the role of Islam in present days life.
:- A young man, who has got modern days education, somehow gets influenced by a maulavi’s ideology and hence starts conflict between this new hypnotized status and his hither-to modern life style. He is unable to follow any path completely and his existence becomes like two persons residing in same body. He is impressed with Maulavi’s ideology but he is unable to follow violent route Maulavi is advocating. He is unable to follow religious fanaticism.
:- Another young man, A young muslim singer, can see clearly that his younger brother is going on a wrong path but he cant stop him as later has disapeared from the home. Elder brother is advocate of modern days reality based values. He goes to USA just before 11.09.2001 and there he falls in love with an American woman and she wants to marry him but he has reservations because she is not follower of Islam. She is ready to follow conversion but he is not ready to accept such sacrifice from her side as he thinks it will be done just under the heat of the passion and later this marriage will produce many problems before them like what religion their children will opt?
Somehow he is also unable to resist voice of his love and he surrenders before the present passion. 9/11 happens and he is detained by FBI because a neighbour finds a Sikh man fighting with him and calling him terrorist and she calls the police. He faces victimization by American authorities. But inspite of torture in American prison he tries to maintain his mind sane and balanced.
:- A young woman is there who has been cheated by her own father and has been married off to her cousin who has opted path of Jihad. She has not lost hope and its her fight also to come back in to the mainstream of life. She is not able to forget her lover left behind in Britain. But life is very strange and due to her captive status in a remote village she is able to encounter another kind of lives. She is able to see that life still flows amidst the guns, amidst the religious hate. She sees that people can laugh inspite of having no exposure to life outside their small village.
Small Girls ask her to teach them English as they think English makes good impression on others. When they find that their teacher has no plan to stay longer here then they innocently say,” to tum bhag jana hum bina english ke hee kaam chala lenge (Ok then you pleasse escape and we can manage without learning English)”. There is a laughter among women but can we laugh on this predicament? This is the most hitting moment in the film and film has some other powerful moments.
Film’s beauty lies not in the performances but in the dialogues and the content. Being most experienced actor, Naseeruddin Shah plays very well the role of scholar of Islam who should be role model for all the Islamic people. Iman Ali, who plays the main female protagonist, impresses with her performance and though she starts bit slowly but soon engrosses the audience. Austin Marie Sayre, who plays American lover of elder brother, is also quite good rather it can be said that both the female actors are better in performances than their counterpart male actors. Fawd Khan, who plays the role of younger brother, who becomes Jehadi, also impresses.
Camera work is quite good and it captures the beauty of Afganistan and border areas of Pakistan and Afganistan. Music is good. Its first film of the director and shortcomings are bound to happen but film tries to cover the most desirable area of the present time and that’s its USP.
Film has many beautiful moments which are usually present in a very good film and this film is not a closed film where you can feel that this is shown and thats the end. It creates a debate inside you and at so many places film takes turns which leaves audience stunned. Its not necessary that a film should always provide an answer but it should provide the opportunity so that questions are raised inside the mind of audience after watching or during the watching of the film and though film may not have great performances but its successful in creating questions inside the audience. It certainly fills the gap and non-Muslims may start seeing muslims as a living entity which also can discuss things which affect their lives and they also can dare to challenge old and outdated religious beliefs and they can also demand modern analysis of old scriptures.
Interaction between women in small village situated at Afgan border produces some good cinematic moments and brings films under category of good literature and woman protagonist’s decision in the end creates a debate about life with a purpose or life for the sake of life. Phiolosohical take in the climax makes it a beautiful climax.
When people become part of a crowd then thinking ability is lost and such films divide again that crowd in to single inviduals as a man should be atleast in thinking ability. These mass views and collective views have been proving too dangerous for humanity and we have become habitual to treat and analyse whole communities with single criteria. At the end, one is an individual and film depicts that transition of humans that how they become part of crowd and how they again come back to realise about real issues of life.
Film is a daring attempt by Shoaib Mansoor. One must watch the film. Film should have proper release in India to open the eyes of knowingly blind people.
* * * *
Why film should be viewed? American society is a heterogeneous one like India but there Paul Haggis is able to make a film like Crash which covers topics relevant to their present days problems but this thing is lost in Indian cinema.
And do Indian audiences or audience belonging to religions other than Islam have any introduction with Pakistani films? We know something about entertainment business there due to some over the top comedy plays came to India in mid 80s like Bakra Kishton Par.
We know that erstwhile heartthrob singer cum actress of undivided India Noor Jahan was migrated to Pakistan.
Famous poet Faiz had gone there and several other famous muslim artists preferred to go to Pakistan.
Manoj Kumar had imported a Pakistani actor/star for his film in 80s.
Indian actress Rina Roy had married Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan and later brought him to India to work in hindi films.
We know Adnan Sani basically belongs to Pakistan.
We know Pakistan because of hugely talented singers like Menhdi Hasan, Ghulam Ali, Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and folk singer Reshma etc.
We have idea that Hindi films have been quite popular in Pakistan also.
Dilip Kumar has been the most respected actor of India and he has earned same reputation in Pakistan also.
It’s a strange relationship between India and Pakistan. This relationship swings between two extreme ends of love and hate like a pendulum. Indian people hated General Musharaf like anything as he was seen as main conspirator behind the Kargil war but when same General Musharaf came to India with his family then people gave him the warmest possible welcome.
Hardly any one in India will believe that Pakistan has not been supporting terrorism in different parts of India.
Commercial films have been made in India which have tried to encash this love and hate relationship between India and Pakistan like Border, Gadar, Hero-The Spy, Veer Zara, LOC Kargil, 1971 etc where, except Gadar and Veer Zara, though war has been in back drop but several other things were also inculcated.
* * * *
Indian muslim population has been sieged in strange situation. Their mentality is often under scanning and they have been attached with an image of religious fanatic people who don’t want to discuss anything modern and good for the country as this may hurt their religious sentiments. And due to this propaganda countless muslim people have actually started believing in this falsely created image of theirs and have started behaving like a group of morons. Debate, logic and respect for other’s point of view has been lost. Because of this lack of healthy debate there have been problems reklated to very small things. Pakistan may demolish as many number of mosques as it likes if they are coming before the path of progress but in India, govt. has to spend Millions of rupees extra because some small and ruined structure of religious place come in the way where road has to be built and now road has to take a longer route.
If Tasleema Nasreen writes about victimization of Hindus and demolition of numerous hindu temples in Bangladesh after December 1992’s demolition of (babri masjid + rammandir structure) and she has to leave her country to save her life and she seeks shelter in India then a section of Indian muslims becomes active to make it a burning issue. Is this an issue directly related with their lives? Without reading her books, maulvis start giving fatwas against her and less literate muslim crowd start believing in the propaganda.
Indian Muslim forget that when hindu fundamentalists attack some muslim people then a large number of Hindus come forward to oppose these fundamentalists. After Gujarat riots opposition has been shown largely from Hindus, whether they are politicians, social workers, lawyers or artists or not so famous people.
But when people don’t see Muslims coming forward to oppose stupid fatwas or wrong doings of terrorists then a particular mind set up starts building up and then fundamentalists of other religions find opportunity to give Islam a bad name and they try to polarise their religionwalla people against Islam. Common men can be spared but Islamic intelligentia should show some bravity and intelligent outlook.
Not a single known muslim came forward to condemn maulavi of small group of Kerala when he gave fatwa against a song in MF Hussain’s film and this fatwa pressurised Hussain and he immediately called off the screening of the film. Same Hussain was wholly supported by Hindus when hindu fundamentalists had questioned him for making nude paintings of Hindu goddesses. No known muslim name came forward to condemn a powerful religious Islamic leader when, during a live chat programme on TV, he openly called one of the most famous actress of India, a woman equivalent to Prostitute. Leave alone her husband, who has been otherwise very active in voicing his opinion on many social issues but actress herself locked her inside her house. Though she has been so active whenever issues are related with women of other religions and rest assured if same incidence had happened with any other woman or actress belonging to other religion then this actress cum activist would have lifted sky on her head.
But in this case otherwise active people maintained silence and these things give chance to opportunists of other religionwalla to blame Islam.
A healthy and lively society needs a proper debate on every issue whatever comes before as a challenge before the people but in India it does not happen as far as so called minorities are concerned.
Without applying any mind, Christian minorities started opposing Da Vinci Code. They forgot that same film has been screening in 100% catholic countries. A film is nothing before the peace of the country and anything can be banned if people are fearful but then this attitude is not good for a lively society.
* * * *
People of India know that Pakistan supports terrorism in India and supports bigotry in Indian muslims. People believe that Dons, who are wanted in India because of their involvement in terroristic activities, live in Pakistan. People believe that Pakistan train terrorists and sends them across the border in India. People have started believing that perhaps whole of the Pakistan is involved in these actions because most of time since 1947, Pakistan has been under dictatorship and world does not see Pakistani people protesting against these dictators.
Let alone India, world does not know much about Pakistan and its people’s daily lives. Do they have tradition of debate there or they all are happy to support this sponsored terrorism policy?
In India we have people following thinking of right wing politicians and for them Pakistan and its people are involved completely in pursuing JIHAD.
Then there are a group of people like Mahesh Bhatt who thinks that this right wing mentality is the real culprit and its not that bad in Pakistan and with muslims and they are most often victims of wrong imagification.
Reality lies somewhere in between. But how reality can come before people because neither literature nor films and plays are able to depict the true scenario prevailing in Pakistan?
Building an image about muslims without any debate always bring burden on some muslims and this can be the reason that Naseeruddin Shah and Irfan Khan could not play roles in Black Friday. Naseeruddin Shah denied playing Mohamad Ali Jinnah.
* * * *
In such confusing scenario over Muslims, Islam, Pakistan and Jihad, if some films come forward to shed some light on the Islam, Muslims, conflict between old religious concepts which can be completely outdated for modern men and wrong definitions of old scriptures etc then it’s a good thing and efforts are praise worthy.
Whole world is burning with this conflict between Islam Vs rest of the religions. Situation has reached to that point where others are trying to define the Islam and they are pointing out lackings in Islam. Ideally such debates should be started from within the Islam.
What is this Jihad? Can something which is ages old and defined for a particular kind of people in a certain period of time can provide panacea to human being of modern time when problems have become different. And how to interpret those old scriptures?
[ and we dont have a category of Pakistani films in the category section of films at PFC, hope this film opens the gate for Pakistani films and we see many more films in future]
68 Responses to “Khuda Ke Liye : A Pakistani film on the so called “Jihad””
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Wow! Thank you so much for telling us about this film. It sounds like a must see. And that brings me to the question, where and how can one see it? Is it available on DVD? Will it be shown at any film festivals in the U.S.? Is it in general release?
The rest of your article also makes some excellent points, and I like the way you tie in all these greater issues in society to this film.
Nice post. RK, where and how did you get to see this film? Please pass on the info
Where can we get this film in Bangalore? Any idea?
sm: yes film is a must see. Who knows this film will be Pakistan’s entry in to foreign category films in Oscar. Our Hindi films and their makers fear a lot while covering Islam and this film tries to enter in to that taboo territory.
It covers all the stupid things spread about Islam among Islamic people and others also. Like we can see bearded youth wearing a particular payajama which can be said as three quarter in length and then a long kurta and a particular type of cap, and when they enter in the boggey of train or in a bus, everybody start looking at them, now depending on their will power, they react. Some are always boiling inside with unknown anger and they stare you back with whole anger in their eyes. Students wear uniforms, many religious people wear particular dresses but we dont find that uncomfort in them as we find in people wearing above mentioned dress. That age is not to follow stupidily irrelevant myths. That age is to question the things which we find uncomfortable.
In one scene when Nasseruddin Shah’s character, who is a renowned scholar of Islamic studies, is asked in court that is not it necessary to keep beard in Islam and he himself has kept a beard he replies,” Beard is there in religion but religion is not in beard” If one feels to keep one can have beard.
He replies to those who make everything manadatory to follow religion that “in Pakistan two people served Islam more than anybodyelse, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal and both never had any beard and they both wore western dresses”
Film covers these small myths which some Muslims follow without giving any thinking and then other religion walla make their opinion based on these muslims only.
World needs a debate and better understanding about Islam and this film fulfils that demand.
sm, aditi and Sandil:
in following link you could get more information regarding the film.
http://www.inthenameofgod.com/
Hindi films are not released in Pakistan but most of the Pakistanis watch them. Its time for their film to be seen by Indians. Its duty of every Indian to watch this film, whether it gets proper release in India or not. How? its for everybody to think , how Pakistanis have been seeing Hindi films? This way they will also get the feelings which only Hindi filmwalla will be having till now.:)
There are always chances that such films can be banned under the pressure of hard core fanatics though film is mild in tone but we never know.
Have no idea if makers have released it on You tube also.
With some efforts you may get to see this film.It shd be available by now in the market in US also.
Naseer Saab has acted in the film so may be he will be arranging for its screening in Bombay also.
I was eager for someone to post a review on thie movie. My friend told me to check out how good is this movie and then there were no reviews on PFC. I checked on on youtube and saw naseer saab in the movie (on IMDB it did not show Naseer’s name in the main cast. I had to click complete Cast and Crew to see Naseer’s name.). In way RK i did not like all the reasons you mentioned why I should i Watch the movie, Namely
1. Dilip Kumar is not a great actor me. People Call him legend/method actor n other shit, but i think he was one more ham actor of yester years.
2. Veer Zaara was one fcuked up movie which mebbe wanted good moolah from both the nations. Mebbe I’m wrong but i hated the movie.
3. Adnan Sami
4. Reena Roy
I mebbe missing the point here but i dont have to watch a Pakistani movie just becoz Adnan sami/Reena Roy/Veer Zaara.
I’ll watch watch the movie anyways for your first half of the review n thanks for the same.
@MyAlterEgo,
Man you certainly need to read it again, as there is something missing. These are not the reasons for which you shd watch a film. You shd watch the film for the sake of film only. None of the fourt points are made to suggest you to watch the film.
Dude, thats your prerogative whatever you think about Dilip Kumar. I have met people thinking Marlon Brando as biggest ham actor on earth. For every actor we may find people in this category where they find them ham. On earth we have place for everybody, theists, atheists, anarchists, communists, democrats, autocrats, nihilists, socialists, capatitalists, religious, spiritual, balds, hairy, white, black, wheatish etc etc. Variety is good.:)
Re: my views about Dilip Kumar as an actor, you will have to keep visiting PFC till second week of December. Then we may find how people see him as an actor.:)
Thanks for the comment. All the best for your viewing of the film:)>-
Blame it on the beer. I thot since Khuda ke Liye is such an awesome movie, u trying to sell it at any possible excuse. worst u wrote Veer-Zaara :D. Anyways i Know i’m very much biased. I like Sanjeev Kumar a lot even tho he hammed in lot of movies (what made me his fan was movies like angoor, koshish). But i did not see a single performance (n again I have not watched all his movies but have seen atleast 7-8 like Bairaag, Gopi, Shakti, Karma n other crap movies) that moved me or made me his fan. Anyways thanks for the review.
Movies watched
La haine - 8.5/10
Airplane - 7/10
Heyy Babyy - (Buddha mar gaya - 10)
Buddha mar gaya - (heyy babyy +10
Movies in the que -
the Wrong Man
Rosemary’s Baby
Salinui chueok(Memories Of Murder)
I meant that neither moved me nor made me his fan…
My Alter ego: Hindi cinema usually has been champion in making crap films with A+ grade actors. Actors have been available but scarcity has been of better Directors.
But man, even Beer cant carry one on that higher plane where one cant see Dilp Kumar in Shakti. whatever crap was the film, if one finds Dilip Kumar ham or less capable as an actor in Shakti then there remains no room for discussion about art of acting.
history of acting in Hindi Cinema dwells around Dilip Kumar. Time is divided in to two parts. before Dilip Kumar and after him. Whole lot of actors have learnt art of acting by watching his films only.
anyway I just recalled your other form:)
Hope to see a post on Rosemary’s baby:)
Did not get your mathematical rating system re: hey baby and Budha mar gaya:-?
RK bhai excellent post. will definitely watch it. Dilip Saheb to bas ek hi hain. PERIOD.
My Alter Ego — you are picking on odd bits of information and trying to make sense out of it. Even if you have loaded youself with umpteen kegs its not gonna work mate.
RK bhai lets skew the discussion back to the film and its socio-political context.
Assalam-O-Alaikum, Everyone!
I have already watched this movie on internet
@ridemghost,
yes film has enough aspects which give material for discussion.
Film has captured small things which affect the psyche of people of India and Pakistan belonging to Hindi and Muslim religions.
One is to always live with the impression of past. Many muslims live with this impression that Muslim rulers have ruled India for several hundred years and somehow they correlate themselves with those rulers though reality is different that most of the Muslim population of India can not be migrated but converted one.
If people discuss these things seriously then things can take serious turn but film releavs this aspect in an otherwise light manner.
Its very amusing scene in the film.
American lady shows ignorance to Pakistani Man about geographical existence of pakistan and when he explains her that its Iran, Afganistan, China and India and in middle of this region there is Pakistan then she exclaims that ok you are neighbour nation of India. India that has TajMahal. I love India. Pakistani man boasts yes we built the Taj. She shows curiosity that you made Tajmahal? He says with proud that yes we muslims ruled India for 1000 years Spain for 800 years. She laughs and says,”How US embassy gave you visa after knowing these facts?” She leaves CD of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on his table.
This was very humorous take on the subject.:)
The subjects which can be reasons to create laugh among friends/ordinary people, people of India and pakistan have been fighting over same issues as these things affect their day to day lives.
Sameer: Its good that Literature and films like arts can actually cover the prevailing social issues which affect the present days society.Its much better to reply a film by making a film or replying the book by writing a book. If you are not familiar then you must see such efforts done by Indian poet Ali Sardar Jafri and Paksitani Poet Ahmad Farhaz. They did it during a programme organised on the occasion of Ghalib’s birth ceremony and at same time when Pakistani politicians were boasting about Ghajini and Indian politicians were showing power of Shakti. These poets poetic conersation was titled as “Dove Talk”.
—–
Whatever you say no sector of Indian cinema can afford to put blame on Islam. Your conclusions are not based on facts. where around 200 Million Muslims (1/5th of total population of India) reside there no film maker can dare to do this. First country will not allow this and second its not in commercial interest. Hindi cinema rather have been benefited commercially by making sweet toned films with Islamic background.
and India does not make James Bond kinda films where villain has to be from politically enemy country of USA or films like True Lies.
Things here are not as simple as they may be in Pakistan because Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran Iraq etc are basically countries belonging to single religion. India has inhabitants belonging to every possible religion ever existing anywhere.
On an average people here cant afford to go on extreme and same is reflected in our films. Yes this is true that as films may cover other religions they have not covered Islam because a fear that topic should not offend the sentiments of Muslims is always present there and this fear has stopped a healthy debate in muslims in India. Hindi Cinema can make better films than “In the Name of God” but somehow they are under pressure and we have yet to see what fate this film will see in India. Whther it will be given green signal from religious leaders and organisations as their fears are always very big.
Nobody denies from the fact that no religious scripture ever can teach killing or violence and errors lie in wrong interepretation by people having vested interests.
And since ages Humanity has never felt hitch in calling bad as bad. Terrorists have no religion and they shd not be given shelter by any religion. Human history tells that same era, same place may give birth to a Prophet and Yajudi (Yazudi). Now people have to say Yazudi as bad because Prophet is good, and people cant say other way round. Those who beleive in Prophet cant believe in Yazudis. Thats blasphemy.
and this difference has been vanished somewhere.
People have to shout strongly about their support to the side of Prophet else their silence may be mistaken and Yazudi’s men may create illusion before others.
Debate has to be generated among Islam only if there are some wrong interpretations. and film is a brave effort in that direction. It will polarise the people. It will produce friction in the mind of the people. and this is must.
It does not matter that film may not have ultimate definition as it cant have. It can create a debate and its role is finished as bigger goal is achieved.
It does not really matter whats written in old religious scriptures, they are for the time when we are living with peace and can understand things in better manner. We have to see what is affecting daily life.
It does not matter whats written in Holy Qoran about rights of Women. We have to see whats the general approach of these powerful Maualavis and powerful social contractors on this issue.
Prophets cant differentiate as they dont have this eye which may see people in different views. They dont know any such thing. They know only equality. so if difference has come in to existence then we will have to sort out those people who make this difference.
Intelligent people seldom go to seek advise where they themselve can solve the problem. What one has to do with his wife, if he is going to ask a person who has no experience of married life then its more than possible that he will get advice to have separation.
If a person is expecting Lord Budha to give him knowledge about Nano Technology then he is the most foolish person on earth or if he has gone to ask how to keep camera so that he can capture scenes during rain. Or how to make a ration card when he is not an authorized citizen of a country.
Or he has got pain in left side of his arm and now how to get rid of this. Or whether he should eat particular things like those vegetables grown inside the earth etc then these things are height of absurdity.
Religion is very very personal thing and it shd remain like this only. History is the witness that as soon as religion becomes organised than life becomes victim as then restrictions start happening on day to day life.
Practical present form of any religion has to be considered and “Khuda Ke Liye” film enters in to this area only.
Whats valid and essential for present days humanity will prevail only and rest will go in to oblivion and it does not matter who has said what at which time in the history. Humanity has survival instinct. Man is alive so we know religion is there its not other way round. No man, no religion, though it may be existing but to realise this religion life of man is essential and when man is alive he needs to laugh, smile, he needs to admire beauty spread in the nature, he needs to feel joy on listening the chirping of birds, he has to admire a rainbow after a rain, he has to admire the whole atmosphere when sun is there and it starts raining and tow contrary forms exist at same time.
in Life man has to face sadness also as thats part of human life but on an average one has to be happy and should make others also happy.
When all books will be lost or say one day when all the human beings across the world wake up in morning with no prior rememberance of any kind of religion then only these small and ordinary things will remain.
Who will fight, who is hindu, who is muslim, who is christian or who is jew etc etc.
This fight is because one group wants to over power other and wants to control the world. One can live happily in one’s home without trying to capture others home. :)
ITS SAD THAT IN THIS AGE IN THE YEAR 2007, WE ARE STILL FIGHTING ON THE BASIS OF RELEGION, THIS WAS NOT SO IN THE 1970′S NOR WAS IT LIKE THIS IN THE 80′S. THE SOONER THIS IS STOPPED THE BETTER IT WOULD BE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS.
@Vardan Bhaiya,
Could you please type in small caps so that we poor Junta get clue that when whole humanity and all the religions are fighting with each other then atleast You are not fighting:)
People were fighting for religion in 107,1007,1507,1907 and now in 2007 also,. But surely we can hope they wont fight in 3007.:-?
Thanks RK for posting a link to the website. Here is a link to the trailer on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAoTD072n04
Comment Edited [.......................................]
Note:
Badmash, please refrain from posting any unauthorised weblink of any film at PFC. Comments and discussion about the film/films are more than welcomed but no unauthorised link. Thanks for your understanding.:)>-
Newsweek did an article on the movie, check it out
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20299883/site/newsweek/
OMG, it was a fantastic movie! Its a must watch for everyone ESPECIALLY in India. Although, I did not learn anything new about Islam or Pakistan, but I am sure some people can learn A LOT from this movie. :d/
@Jay,
Is it releasing in India?
any news? any chance?
Nice post. I am a Pakistani in London and have been lucky to watch this film.
This film is being released slowly in different countries. It was released in Dubai last month and in the UK this month. All screens were sold out on its first weekend so I had to go there the next day.
It was released in selected areas. Its average screen business was the highest when compared with Bollywood films. Its average screen income for two days (weekend) was
@Fayyaz,
Thanks for your comment. Its good that such an important film is now widely released at so many places in different countries. and Its also good news that film is actually making profit as it will encourage the filmmaker to make more such films.
Peaceful friendship between India and Pakistan can not only do wonderful things politically and economically but there can be quantum leaps in arts and cultural fields.
Hope democracy prevails soon in Pakistan and people live again without any fear of dictatorship.
Hope this time its last battle with dictatorship and Democracy will be deeply established there.
Hope again Menhdi Hassan Saab’s voice resounds the words of Faiz saab all over the Paksitan, Gulon mein rang bhare bade naubahar chale”.
:)
Excellent movie i must say. The movie was very touching at some moments. Pakistan did a good job in creating a film worth-seeing. I think we in India lack that as we tend to make more dreamy movies and not cater them as reality based. Than again, we the people are so obsessed with dance numbers and songs that we get lost in them. Anyhow Khuda Ke Liye is a very good movie and I recommend everyone in India to watch this Pakistani movie as RK mentioned before, they have supported us in watching our movies, we should support them in watching there movies.
-Maya
Also wanted to mention that the movie will be releasing in India on or around Dec. 20th of 2007.
NOORJEHAN(1926-2000)
Noorjehan was renowned singer and actress of Indian and Pakistani film industry. She enjoyed enormous fame in Mumbai and later at Lahore.
Now Vitasta Publishing New Delhi has come out with an illustrated book Noorjehan-The Melody Queen which covers Noorjehan’s person life as well as her remarkable professional career spreading over sixty years.
@Maya (24,25),
Khuda Ke Liye, film has generated a discussion among Pakistani citizens living in Pakistan or anywhereelse in the world. Hardly any film generates this kind of thought clashes among different people belonging to different economic classes, age groups as KKL is producing and it suggests that film has hit the right spot. Today this is the scene within the Pakistani citizens and soon it can play same game with any islamic person living anywhere in the world.
Hope film does in India what other films could not do in the past.
This much is sure that It wont leave people unaffected. It will start provoking their minds to think.
a right film at right time.
@Khalid (26)
Thanks for info about a book on Late Noorjahan. It should be a nice read.
When Noorjahan had visited India after 50 years or so, then it was a big event in India. She left India during partition but she was never forgotten because of her songs. Her physical absence did not send her in oblivion and she always remained in the memories of the audience and in the heart of her admirers. Because she had left India so even news of her death does not affect her image in India and she remains here as a legendary singer who never can be forgotten.
@RK
“Gulon mein rang bhare bade naubahar chale”
“Chale bhi aao, ki gulshan ka kaarobaar chale”
:-)
@the commutist,
wonderful poem,
let people read this Great piece in full along with a loose translation ( with obvious mistakes as its hard to translate the real feelings hiding inside the original words used in the original poem)-
[ Guloun main rung bharaye, baad-e-naubahaar chalaye
Chalaye bhi aao kay gulshan ka karobaar chalaye
Qafas udas hai yaaro saba say kuch tou kaho
Kahain tou bah-re-khuda aaj zikr e yaar chalaye
Kabhi tou subah tere kunj-e-lub say ho aaghaaz
kabhii to shab sar-e-kaakul se mushk-baar chalaye
badaa hai dard kaa rishtaa, ye dil Gariib sahii
tumhaare naam pe aaye.nge Gam gusaar chale
Jo hum pay guzri so guzri mager shub-e-hijraun
Humaraye ashk teri aaqibat sanvaar chalaye
huzoor-e-yaar huii daftar-e-junuN kii talab
girah mein leke garebaan kaa taar taar chale
Maqaam faiz koee raah main jancha hi nahi
Jo kuh-e-yaar say niklay tou suu-e-daar chalaye ]
[cool breeze of spring moves and colours are splashed in the flowers
come here so that the still garden may resume the life
The cage is gloomy O my dear fellows!!. Please say few words to the breeze.
for heaven's sake, somewhere today should be the mention of something about beloved one
sometimes dawn should fall from your juicy pout
sometimes dark night should encompass the day from your black waving fragrant hair.
Big is the relationship with the pain and though this heart is poor
Your loyal follower will come to you whenever you call, forgetting the pain
whatever suffering fell upon me .. but listen O lonely night
My shedding tears constructed your fate
My passionate desire towards my love was suppressed by power
I started moving with torn collars on my neck
Faiz could not find any suitable destination in the path during the journey
and when left beloved's place, destination was the platform of death ]
:)
Imran Khan to Nawaz Sharif and Benajir Bhutto,
“Gulon mein rang hum bharate rahe aur mauke par jhula jhulane tum barh chale”
Imran, Benjir and Nawaz Sharif to Parwez Musharaf,
“Chale bhee jao ki gulshan ka karobar chale”
RK saab, bahut badhiya! :-)
Hello Again
Thanks RK. I am very hopeful that this struggle for democracy is the last one because our civil society has never been so strong and resistance never been so long lasting. Musharraf has given in to some extent and has removed his uniform. Enough of politics..
This film is still on in the UK after more than 5 weeks and its limited release policy is very successful. This film targets certain cinemas and then it is gradually released in different cities. Even after a month, this films’ average screen earning is second only to Om Shanti Om and is above Sawnriya and Jab we met etc.
This film has been released in the USA as well. As far India, it will be released early December according to some reports. It is being shown in Indian Film Festival at the moment.
According to Times of India, this film ‘has become the talking point at the international film festival after its first house-packed screening on Sunday’. Read the news item below.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/IFFI_Pakistani_film_Khuda_Ke_Liye_a_big_draw_on_Day_2/articleshow/2570554.cms
Thanks again for showing interest. Pakistan India Friendship Zinda bad
@Fayaaz,
Has KKL been sent to Oscar this year as Pakistan’s entry in foreign language films category?
World is praying that this should be the last struggle in Pakistan and hence now Democracy will be installed so firmly that no extra constitutional forces ever will be able to destablise it.
:)
nice movie
I’m looking for investors for my new project. please contact me at aichahaq@yahoo.com
i enjoy it very much.
thanks shoaib mansoor
@Aftab,
Thanks for comment. Hope film is able to keep alive fruitful discussion in Pakistan.:)
@ RK
Thanks again for well wishes on political situation.
Khuda Ke Liye has been a pride for us because it became a very successful film and proved that people in Pakistan support meaningful films.
In the past, we had many films that were not supported by media so public doesn’t even know that!! Javed Jabbar made a Pakistan’s first film in English language as far back in 1976. Name of this film is: Beyond the Last Mountain. (Another English language film ‘Blood of Hussain’ (1978) was banned because it had some scenes that made fun of the army). When media didn’t encourage Javed Jabbar, he stopped. His daughter is making a film (coming soon) based on a true story:
‘Ramchand Pakistani’ starring Nandita Das
http://www.dawn.com/weekly/images/archive/071125/images1.htm
Another good punjabi film was ‘Khamosh Pani’ or Silent Waters (available on Youtube). Sadly, again our media didn’t support that film, even though it won International Awards. I met a portugese person who had watched it in a Cinema in Portugal and was surprised that this film about Pakistan was not even released in Pakistan!! We watched it on Channel 4 in the UK.
Last year, a horror film came from pakistan, called Zibakhana or Hell’s Ground (Trailor available on youtube). This film is going around the world in festivals but has not been properly released in Pakistan because of (probably) Gore scenes.
http://www.zibahkhana.com/
Pakistani government is too busy in strengthening its power and has no time to send these films for International Festivals. All efforts are purely private. Good thing is that our Media, especially biggest group Jang Group, has started to support good Pakistani films.
@Fayyaz (39),
Thanks for informative comment. Did not know about any other film than Khamosh Pani.
Hope commercial success of KKL bring some change in the scenario there because after all its business which matters in todays era and even fundamentalists need money to live and propagate their self made theories.
Its good that a big media group is backing now the Pakistani films.
Once they start getting success, many groups will be entering in the field.:)
i enjoyed it very much
movie was very touching at some moments:)
I’ve seen this movie..
It is Brilliant..
everything is awesome..
And i just hope people realize where “Lakshya”
the Farhan Akhtar movie was inspired from..
google ABC or alpha bravo charlie
and findout about Sunehre din! :)>-
@Ayesha (41,42),
True, inspite of preaching tone at some places and inspite of technical lackings film has got many sensitive scenes and its successful in creating the atmosphere which it wants to create.
One cant ignore the films pluses as they are so visible.
@Kamlesh,
Lakshya may have scenes inspired from many films including “Full Metal Jacket” and “An Officer and a Jentleman” and one more which I am not able to recall at this moment.
But whats this ABC or Lakshya’s connection with Sunahre Din (You meant Raj Kapoor’s B&W film?)?
Alpha Bravo Charlie and Sunehre Din are Pakistani TV serials based on Army Life. These were directed by Shoib Mansoor (He was a writer/TV producer in PTV).
Sunahre Din (1993)
And the other famous one is Alpha Bravo Charlie (1998)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=siW9Le6plx8
Shoib also made some music videos eg this one on Anarkali
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=a39X6OQgfEk
@Kamlesh(46)
Thanks for more information on Shoaib Mansoor’s works.
His skills in taking good performance from his actors has obviously been improved in Khuda Ke Liye. In his TV serial performance level is very very synthetic type.
Same is happening in his video song also. ;)
But liked last part of the video song. Did not know before that about Anarkali’s majar. Is it true?
By now have observed that only Hindus used to complain about Muslims capturing and converting their religious and other important buildings in to islamic buildings. Here video song accuses First Sikh raja and later Britishers.:)
Felt as if Mangal Dhilon was saying commentary. voice and style is similar.
@ RK
thanks.
Anarkali’s majar story is true.
When people have power (any religion), some of them are good and some of them are bad. Most people (not all) believe in the ‘goodness’ of their own religion and ‘badness’ of others.
This way followers of every religion develop their own ‘truths’. Actually all of them are true (because there were people who did bad things in every religion - if they had power), but majority of people believe in selective truth. The truth they want to hear! Their attitude is like: ‘Bad and me? Impossible! No way! Its gotta be someone else!!!’
Go watch Khuda Kay liye tomorrow..
Much better than most movies you’ve come across..
:)
Khuda Ke Liye: Bold and worth a watch
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/04khuda.htm
rediff review is very short nd doesnt throw much light on the film:(
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/moviereview/2926547.cms
nikhat kazmi writes =
Din mein daadi hai, daadi mein din nahin (the beard lies in religion; religion doesn
din mein daadi hai… dadi mein din nahin ( grandmother is in day, day is not in grandmother):d:))=))
khalid mohamad review…
…Of ifs and guts…
http://tinyurl.com/6obwe9
Throughout the music is extraordinary.
(Throughout, the music is extraordinary)
khalid mohamad also writes a short review…
he is intelligent… a muslim … a director… experienced critic….
nd film shows burning issue…
expected a brilliant piece from khalid but he disappoints…:(
waiting 4 bhardwaj rangan article… he ll write in detail….nd ll throw more light on a relevant film…..:)
=48,
anarkali??????????????
anarkali of salim anarkali fame??????
was she a real woman nd not a fantasy of few?:-?
Khuda Kay Liye is a well-made film, but it caters to the thinking audience, the intelligentsia mainly.
http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/review.php?id=14637798&ctid=5&cid=2425
Do you guys know that Shoib Mansoor was inspired because of some true incidents in his life.
For example, he supported some talented Pakistani pop group, Vital Signs, and even made some (maybe all) their videos for free. Later the lead singer, Junaid Jamshed, became religious and left Music. Shoib felt betrayed and you can see the story about a singer who becomes religious.
Junaid Jamshed’s videos before he became religious (eighties/early nineties):
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=67l3U0-zHaM&feature=related
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dPSRP6Dxb7I&feature=related
Junaid Jamshed now sings religious hymns only:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=nde_4-hPRoA
Namrata Joshi in outlookindia.com…..
No doubt a brave move forward for the Pakistani film industry, bur cinematically it leaves a lot to be desired…..
(bur cinematically = but cinematically ??:d=)) ) in outlook the famous ;):))=)):d~X(@-)[-x
Shoaib Mansoor, Pakistani director of
———
Editor’s Note(D):
Go easy on the language k. U risk being banned. Read PFC comments policy
——————
go watch it instead of reading reviews you cheap fk.. you’ll like it..
=60…
k dude if u wanna target me… i ve seen the film…. i read many ppl writing on same film ….. so chill :)
@fayyaz (57),
Thanks for more info. and video links
Hope soon Director of KKL makes another movie with improvements in cinematic area also.:)
@Krishn,
Thanks for links of reviews.
Have read only Khalid Mohammad’s review by now. I also expected a detailed article from such an experienced film critic and he is familiar with the details of Islam also.
Khuda Ke Liye had given him a chance to write in detail but he simply fulfilled his professional duty to write something on KKL.
He should understand the film more and better than all the other film critics.
Khalid Mohamadd reads PFC?…..it seems so….
he talks with director of khuda ke liye….
after writing a small review of the film…
http://tinyurl.com/5dtuul
:)
Iman Ali , actress of khuda ke liye…..
“I never thought I would be part of history when I signed the film. But yes
A L’il late but amazing. The movie is haunting, the music deep throated and soulful. Sad and satisfying. I went to see da movie today. Though there were’nt much people in the hall. But the audience were emoting, laughing, empathising, crying in tandem. It was truly satisfying. I am crying even as i write this. I only have one regret, they did’nt picturise the beautiful song Janie Janie in the movie…
Bravo Shoaib Mansoor ! Good Job! I was so moved bye the film,Was very soul stirring! And good music too.
Wr can I get the Bakra Khiston Pe? CD or DVD whatever .. Enjoyed the play as we wr growing up.. awesome comedy… still brings a hearty laugh just thinking of it.. Any help is greatly appreciated.