After days of teasing with some alluring behind the scenes and the creative character posters, the short film ‘’Prince Charming’’, featuring the countries sweet hearts Mahira Khan and Zahid Ahmed, has been released finally. The 11-minute length short film is a master craft, succinct yet carries a lasting impression.
Drawing Inspiration from the works of poet Ahmed Faraz and Japanese composer Shigeru Umebayashi, the short film released on streaming platform “See Prime” deals with the issue of post marital depression.
Mahira Khan as Sheherzade plays a house wife lacking love and attention of her husband Akber, played by Zahid Ahmed, who is too preoccupied with his corporate life to have a perspicuous understanding of his wife’s internal battles. Quite naturally Sheherzade is overwhelmed, fulfilling her responsibilities as an obligated wife and mother while she intensely desires a lovey dovey, idyllic prince charming out of her husband which every girl fascinates while growing up. Stereotyped and misconceived at his hands, Shehrezade , who is brewing with desire of being loved and admired, sets the door open awaiting for her imaginary prince charming to fill the void. A hearty lover who recites her poems, plans romantic outings and passionately clings with her making making her feel protected. The storms building up inside Sheherzade are evident in her lifeless gait and her empty expressions. Shehrezade’s battles as a wife are depicted beautifully in the breakfast scene where her mind is exploded with thoughts while Akber is too busy on the laptop to look into her eyes and too ignorant to ask her details of her absent mindedness.
All praises for Mahira Khan for having internalized the role so well. She is for sure maturing as an actor with every role she plays. Zahid Ahmed, both as a typical office going husband and the vehement lover, is flawless. His onscreen chemistry with Mahira Khan is unnering.
Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui aces his directorial,his attention to detail is praiseworthy. From screenplay, to artsy frames that blend well with the dark storyline and background score; everything about “Prince Charming” is top notch.
The short film comes as a welcome effort in acknowledging post marital depression and is a definite conversation starter . We hope it paves path for more content on the issue
Check out the short film on See Prime’s youtube channel.
