Movie Review: ‘Yalghaar’
The Pakistani Film Industry has definitely come a long way. With successes such as ‘Bin Roye’ (2016) and ‘Bol’ (2011), makers are trying to push the boundaries in every way. However, it seems filmmaker-actor Hassan Rana has now gone and done what Pakistan had yet to experience within their big screens. Known as Pakistan’s first multi-starrer and most expensive film, Hassan attempts to tell a true, heartfelt story about Pakistan’s militants and their sacrifice for their country in ‘Yalghaar’.
After successfully saving Colonel Jogezzi (Ayub Khoso) from the clutches of the enemy, Colonel Asad and (Shaan Shahid) and Col. Imran (Adnan Siddiqui) take on a mission to defeat the evil Torjan (Humayun Saeed) whose growing terrorist army is becoming more and more menacing and destructive as they slaughter the innocent lives everyday. As the Pakistan Army prepare for battle, they come to realise that this is a fight the needs to be won by all. With both colonel’s along with Major General Hassan (Rana) leading the troops, there’s much anticipation as to how good will triumph over evil.
His experience in making war films works in Hassan’s favour in this film, and making such a film that focuses on paying tribute the lives of real soldiers who fight for the country everyday is definitely something the audiences will relate to and take great pride from. Hassan has also done extremely well in bringing some of the industry’s most notable actors and actresses in screen and they work brilliantly in their roles. Though some have a more prominent role than others, Hassan has evidenced his vision of portraying these soldiers as everyday citizens of Pakistan, and of any country for that matter, where they lead extremely normal lives, however their work for their country is of something completely out of the ordinary. It can be said that Hassan has placed in a few sequences that the film could do without, or that he could have done slightly differently, such as a few dream sequences that feel a little out of place from the story. However with this said, Hassan has done extremely well, and has made a film that will have his audiences completely immerse themselves in the film, the film’s message and give them a sense of pride for the country and it;s army.
It’s fair to say that the film will be more remembered for the way the whole star cast has performed rather than the film just having them all in it. Shaan and Siddiqui’s both work to excellence and seeing them on the same screen causes much excitement on screen. Saeed’s performance as the evil and menacing Torjan is an applaudable effort, where from the first sound of his voice is enough to send a shudder down his viewers spine. Emulating terror, hate and fear, Saeed proves his skills as an actor completely. Another double act that impresses greatly is that of Bilal Ashraf and Ahmed Taha Ghani, who represent young army troops, through their comradery, understanding and brotherly bond, where the audiences are warmed by their on-screen presence. Representing the home lives of the army officers are Armeena Khan, Aleeze Nassar and Uzma Khan, in the roles of the women who are back home waiting for their men to come back home. Giving honest performances, the audiences are compelled to feel what they feel as the film goes on. Almost playing herself in Sana Bucha, as a journalist reporting on the happenings of the war. Through her character, the viewers also get a glimpse of her role as a women, and being a journalist herself, Bucha gives an intense performance almost re-living what she actually had to go through during her time as a reporter. Ayesha Omar is placed in the film to depict on the negative characteristic if Torjan, whereby the viewer’s fear him through her. Engrossing in her character completely, it’s easy to see that she becomes the voice of the audience, where the audience themselves feel her anger and pain towards Torjan through her.
A big budget and a stellar star cast is exactly what this film needed, which is exactly what Hassan has provided. An army film that represents patriarchy, pride for the country and a homage to those who fight for good, gives the audience exactly what they expect. Though the film lose its pace at times where it’s not clear as to how things fit together, some characters also get lost in the midst of the story. Despite this the audiences still have their eyes glued to the screen and their hand clutching on to the seats throughout the film. Overall, Hassan has put together a great film, and his mission in paying tribute to those who fight for the country has been accomplished brilliantly.
BizAsiaLive Rating: 3.5/5
