See Prime’s ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ might not be the first ever anthology film made in Pakistan, as a film in 1970, titled ‘Chaand Suraj’ also consisted of two distinct stories. However, this was the first time a film was marketed as anthology film that too for a theatrical release. The film consists of three distinct shorts by three different teams, hence, we will discuss one at a time.
Sajin Mahal
Nabeel Qureshi’s films are known for having a subject or a message wrapped in the layers of all the packaging of sub-continent’s commercial cinema. In ‘Na-Maloom Afraad 2’, there is a scene where Farhan (Fahad Mustafa) gets emotional talking about disparity in the world, comparing a Sheikh who shits in a gold commode while many in his country (Pakistan) don’t even have enough to feed their children. In ‘Sajin Mahal’, the same comparison is drawn again but this time within Karachi and in a much different and more exciting manner. The film follows the story of a homeless family that is struggling to make the two ends meet in the post-Covid-19 world. The film is written by Basit Naqvi and Ali Abbas Naqvi and what comes out by this collaboration of Nabeel Qureshi and ‘Laal Kabootar’ writers is a product that is fresh and novel.
Interestingly, this short was originally produced for YouTube release, but Nabeel and Fizza with their tried-and-trusted team, from Rana Kamran on cinematography to Asif Mumtaz on edit, came up with an OTT product that is at par with any theatrical release. The film is a testimony that it is high time for Filmwala Pictures to expand its horizon and open its doors for diversification and venture into OTT besides producing films by expanding their team through hiring new writers and executive producers.
The film offers some brilliant performances by the whole cast. From Hira and Mani to child artists and of course the seasoned actress Gul-e-Rana, all are so perfectly casted that you can’t see anyone else playing these characters. The film features a sound track “Jugaar Hamarey” by Shani Arshad which is aptly used in the film and it comes as a laugh riot. This first story of the anthology, which is also the longest one, is itself worth buying ticket for “Teri Meri Kahaniyaan”.
Pasoori
‘Pasoori’ marks cinema debut of Marina Khan as director with Vasay Chaudhry’s script and Nadeem Baig as executive producer of the project. The three geniuses have collaborated in past for ‘Baraat’ series on Geo Entertainment and so it was natural to have high expectations from them. ‘Pasoori’, however, is relatively the weakest part in the anthology. The film starts with one song and ends with another one. The comedy at times is too loud and over-the-top that it feels like you are watching “Jawani Phir Nahi Aani” only this time with a dash of message and serious subject. This would have better suited for full length comedy feature film like previous films by Vasay.
About performances, the lead pair looks adorable and did a fine job too. Ramsha Khan’s performance comes as natural and Sheheryar Munawar is someone we want to see more often on screen. The whole of supporting cast is good too but it’s Babar Ali who takes the cake. His screen presence, his aura and his voice modulation reflects his decades long experience in films. It’s heartening to see him finally getting good roles again.
‘Pasoori’ talks about gender biases that how a woman’s aspirations and dreams are often taken for granted and the society always expects a woman to give up on her ambitions and focus on her marriage and house. The message is somehow delivered in a palatable way. ‘Pasoori’ is a feel-good film with all the makings of an entertaining flick, from comedy to songs and a spark in the chemistry of lead actors. Song ‘Pankh’ is the highlight of the short.
Aik Sau Taeswaan
One word: WINNER. This last story of anthology, written by Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig, ticks all the boxes of a good film. The story is set in a train where two strangers meet and open their hearts to each other and end up making a unique bond. Such setting is not something new, we have seen strangers bonding over first encounter in some of Imtiaz Ali’s films and in many features from Europe available on Netflix. But what makes it different is that unlike all those films, here the surrounding world doesn’t fade away when two strangers meet. Here the surrounding is very much alive, with other passengers being vigilant observer to their encounter and everyone has something to say about them.
Khalil’s script is brilliant. The characters are grey, vulnerable and real. The dialogues are in his quintessential KRQ style and hit the spot. At times one might feel that Khalil is supporting some regressive ideas about women as how they are supposed to be the one who carry the responsibility of making a relationship work. But by the time the credits roll, you realise that it neither supports any regressive idea nor it condemns it. It works just as a mirror to reflect how most of the marriages have been working in South Asia. A mirror that unveils our ugliest, darkest and equally vulnerable sides by taking off many masks, layer by layer.
Wahaj Ali steals the show as Asad with his charming looks, quiet demeanour, talkative eyes and effective body language. He was born to be a big screen actor and he has finally arrived. Mehwish Hayat looks gorgeous and utters Khalil’s lines with mastery. Zahid Ahmed, Amna Ilyas and Adnan Samad Khan are all equally good in their limited roles.
Cherry on the top is a soundtrack ‘Kahaniyaan’ by Shuja Haider that is played right in the final scene of the story and it stays with you for long. ‘Aik Sau Taeswaan’ is the best short of this anthology and Kudos to Nadeem Baig for coming up with the best team and pulling it off like no one else.
Go watch ‘Teri Meri Kahaniyaan’ in a theatre near you. This anthology experiment from Pakistan is worth your time and money.
