Media Magick

They (filmmakers) say that support Pakistani films, on every given point, they keep reminding that this is the revival of Pakistani cinema and Pakistani cinema needs audiences’ support. The plea that filmmakers make in front of the audience who is exposed to Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, online free streaming platforms and torrents – which means that, today almost everyone can access various kinds of content from all across the world for free and at the convenience of their time and accessibility. Then what is the possibility of supporting mediocre content by paying 500 – 1,200 rupees in a country (Pakistan) that is going through financial turmoil? This is a serious question that filmmakers need to ask themselves or to a few people who are financially and aesthetically sound.

When everyone, as projected, seems to be so happy that Pakistani films are going to be screened on cinemas and another revival of Pakistani cinema is coming towards us (reminds me of the poor chap saying ‘abey gaaye aarahi hai’) churning out films that offer zilch entertainment, engagement and quality is not a sensible idea. Last week Thori Life Thori Zindagi was released in Pakistan. Thori Life Thori Zindagi claimed to be a ‘film’ however after watching the first day first show of it I was baffled. By no means it’s anything close to a film.

Trailer – Thori Life Thori Zindagi

The story of Thori Life Thori Zindagi revolves around a billionaire Sheikh Saab (Shahood Alvi) who recently lost his wife and his kids Zoya, Jimmy and Vicky are shown walking on the paths that no father wants their children to choose. His kids are spoiled brats to the core. Zoya is shown dating and wanting to get settled with 15 to 18 years old Saleem Sheikh who is a crook. Jimmy is in to girls and spends his time in hotels with them. Vicky is a school going boy who is expelled from the school for smoking weeds. Sheikh plans to show them the hardships of life and plays a trick with them; the plot reminds of 70s and 80s films mostly featuring Kader Khan or Sanjeev Kumar in the similar kind of characters as of Sheikh Saab’s. What happens next is predictable but least convincing.

Thori Life Thori Zindagi has next-level mediocre performances. Besides Shahood Alvi and Saleem Sheikh (to a certain extent) everyone hams. Performances are shockingly bad, and can be easily compared to Kareena Kapoor’s and her parrots from 2003’s Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon.

The camera work and frames are weak and amateurish. Audio syncing is another major blunder in Thori Life Thori Zindagi. The script is full of wrong English and Urdu structuring. Rather than saying Best of Luck, It Looks Cool, Dad She is Maira and I Like Her, and Khhula Tuzaad characters are saying Best Lucks, Its look Cools, Dad She is Maira and I like Him, and Khula Taazaad besides many other issues. I wonder what could be the possibility of releasing the film without correcting these slipups.

The story of Thori Life Thori Zindagi had the potential but it is brutally ruined by poor performances, bad script, and weak direction. There is no closure, which makes the entire thing unbearable and hard to digest. The storyline is disjointed, the relationship between Maira and Jimmy is hard to understand – it makes no sense. The changes in characters’ personalities are pathetically done.

There is also an item number that falls flat and looks forced. Yes, there is toilet humor as well, and again it doesn’t make people laugh. The message only works when it is delivered properly with effective performances and recall value dialogues, if these elements are missing it’s sad very sad.

Thori Life Thori Zindagi deserves no rating as it’s a sheer waste of time.