Media Magick

Pakistan film industry is still trying to find the direction to head, especially Pakistani filmmakers. They are oblivious to what audience will like plus they also need to take a break from getting inspired from Bollywood and formula films which India produces on regular and repetitive basis. In the year 2018, the hopes were high as Pakistani cinema in 2017 showed some promising development, most cinegoers thought that films like Chain Aye Na, Whistle, Rangreza, and Mehrunisa V lub U etc. will not be made and makers must have got it clear through audiences’ rejection that the idea of releasing such films should’ve been dropped – as it brings down the efforts made by those filmmakers who really want to revive the Pakistani cinema.

Many are of the view that 2018 was the good year for Pakistani cinema. Out of 20 Pakistani films which released in 2018, 4 were animated movies. And 6 to 7 out of the 16 films were terrible and horrendous attempts loaded with crass jokes and performances which can be used for torturing criminals. Just 4 to 5 films stood out – the overall scenario is quite bad to be honest.

Worst 6 From Pakistani Cinema In 2018

1 – Maan Jao Na

Screenplay by Ahsan Raza Firdousi and Asma Nabeel is weak. They both couldn’t help in coming up with interesting and engaging film. At times Maan Jao Naa looks so lame that audience starts to feel why are the actors behaving absurdly? Film starts with the song, which is out and out filler, has nothing to with the story. Within first 15 minutes you’ll notice that the film is very loud and everyone is shouting and yelling for no reason, topped with bad over acting but then as the film progresses viewers get to know that this is how the entire film is conceived, penned and shot.

The storytelling of Maan Jao Naa is very lousy. It looks like multiple shoots were shot and then one day they all decided to combine the scenes which they think will be less torturous for the audience and release the film Maan Jao Naa. (Read full movie review of Maan Jao Naa)

2 – Azaadi

The biggest flaw in Azaadi is that the diction of every actor from main lead to the supporting cast; none have worked on the dialect. In Azaadi, it looks like that Gujjars and Memons are trying to enact the dialogue as Kashmiris.

The film is a total waste, on many grounds. A patriotic film which fails to connect, a film that should have abundance of action and impressive stunts offer nothing but mockery of action scenes. Azaadi is a tasteless entertainer which gets on the nerves of viewers; it isn’t easy to bear a two and a half hour film which lacks on content, script, performances, action and entertainment. (Read full movie review of Azaadi)

3 – Na Band Na Baraati

Na Band Na Baraati disappoints on several points. Films like NBNB shows that it’s high-time for Pakistani cinema to have another body besides “Censor-board” that strictly focuses on the quality of the film as a whole. Films like Na Band Na Baraati bring down the Pakistani film industry. With weak content, below average performances, pitiful direction and awful narrative, Na Band Na Baraati is distressing and boring film which easily irritates its viewers. (Read full movie review of Na Band Na Baraati)

4 – Wajood

Wajood is one of the films which released in Eid and still couldn’t get the response which usually Eid releases get. This in itself is self-explanatory. Audience, today, only appreciate good content or dependable star-cast, unfortunately Wajood lacked both. Plus, the film also failed to impress those who watched it, resulting in a bad word of mouth.

5 – Shor Sharaba

There are times when you want to support your cinema and you actually plan to watch even those films which are ridiculed by masses through their trailer. Shor Sharaba is one such film which became the laughing stock before its release because of the teaser and trailer. Unfortunately it’s one of the pathetic films to release this year and looks hugely inspired by Priyadarshan’s Hulchul. (Read full movie review of Shor Sharaba)

6 – Jackpot

Jackpot is a torturous movie which is loaded with vulgar dialogues, cheap comedy, weird songs which make no sense. Camera angles are free from aesthetics. The only saving grace of Jackpot is that it is shot in Phuket and the cinematography is okay-ish but apart from that if you like vulgar films and punchlines then you might ‘like’ the film. There’s a dialogue in Jackpot which goes like “Why waste fart, when you can taste it as burp” – this line best describes the film as well. (Read full movie review of Jackpot)

All in all, 2018 was not a very good year for Pakistani cinema, many movies which did tremendous business at the box office were largely relying on promotions and campaigns. Let’s hope that 2019 will bring good films from Pakistani Cinema giving audience both mass entertainers and quality content.

Which according to you is the worst movie to come out of Pakistani cinema in 2018?