Khuda Ke Liye

After a long time here comes an Asian movie with a well-crafted screenplay, a thought-provoking storyline and creditable actors. Films from India and Pakistan based on the 1947 Partition and its after effects have been done to death. They speak the same words, spout the same sentiments, and the familiar mis-en-scene is invariably the rugged Pakistani village.

The new Partition is 9/11. A new genre of films portraying the events and after effects of the Twin Tower tragedy has been born.

I went without expectations. I avoid reading reviews of films which I plan to watch in the theatre. So I had actually no idea what it was all about. I knew Naseeruddin (as Maulana Wali) was in the film. That’s it. Shoaib Mansoor is the writer –director of this film.

I was quite taken aback. What hit me first was the music. Tremendous. A die-hard fan of great Pakistani Ustads Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan brothers, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Fuzon, I was thrilled to hear how music had been made use of in this film The one moment which brought a gasp and a sob from me was when the entire music class joining to accompany the character Mansoor when he showcases his talent. UN World Peace delegations take a hint- see how the magic of music erases mental and geographical boundaries in a few glorious moments.

The story is of two music loving brothers (played by Shaan and Fawad Khan) from a progressive family in Lahore. Many doubts and questions one has about a Muslim woman’s rights, Taliban, USA’s racial profiling and East-West culture are answered here. One is mesmerized by the gravelly but rich voice of the rabid Maulana Taheri (Raza Naz), the breathtaking but stark monochrome landscape of Afghanistan and the frightening gravity of the impossible situation right next door.

All these subjects have been dealt with in a controlled fashion without going to the extreme of preaching or throwing the Islamic book at the viewer. Actually towards the end one really wants to know what the Koran says and how it is interpreted. It is amazing that a film on this sensitive issue was released in Pakistan. In ‘liberated’ ‘cosmopolitan’ Mumbai even whiskers are precious and can catch fire!

Iman Ali impressively plays Mary and Mariam with the inner strength and dignity of an educated modern woman. The filthy American prison is as scary as the Taliban hideout among the rocks in Afghanistan.

There are a few loopholes in the story. In this age (2001-2002) of speedy communication with email and cell-phones, the main characters somehow are not in touch with each other. The film is slow and elaborate. While old-fashioned me loved it some may feel that the subject requires a faster pace to impart a sense of urgency and suspense.

 I confess the high flown Urdu went over my head sometimes but the magnificent voices and flowery Urdu of the Maulanas sounded so beautiful I never tired of it. 

Go see it – in the name of God!