Media Magick

Once introduced as the “chocolaty boy” in Tere Pyaar Mein, Moammar Rana, aka Mommi, was nowhere to be seen during the revival wave of Pakistani cinema. Azaadi was one film that could have brought him back into the limelight with its heavy dose of action (which, however, turned out to be unintentionally comical) and patriotic scenes (which were, unfortunately, tiresome). However, the film couldn’t perform well at the box office. Even after doing an extended cameo in the Bollywood movie Ek Second… Jo Zindagi Badal De, Rana failed to leave a lasting impression, unlike Humayun Saeed, who made his mark with Jashnn.

Trailer – Baap

Now, Moammar Rana is set to return to the silver screen with Baap, a film centered on the relationship between a father and daughter. Produced and directed by Nadeem Cheema, the movie is slated for release in Pakistan on January 24, 2025.

The trailer appears to be a mishmash of several ideas, drawing inspiration from films like Sanjay Dutt’s Pitaah and other serial killer-based narratives. The last Pakistani film in this genre, 13, was horrendously directed by Nadeem Ur Rehman. Predictably, Baap seems to follow a clichéd storyline.

The trailer itself looks uninspiring, leaving one to wonder why anyone would spend their hard-earned money on a film like Baap. The dubbing issues are evident, even in the trailer, and the wardrobe choices for the child fail to align with the class being depicted in the story. Moammar Rana’s dialogue delivery feels forced and far from natural.

While the action sequences might hold some potential—given Nadeem Cheema’s aptitude for crafting unique action scenes—it remains uncertain whether the movie will deliver a series of power-packed sequences or if such moments will be limited to a few scattered scenes post-interval or during the climax. This is something to ponder.

After watching the trailer for Baap, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Would you spend money to watch this film in cinemas?

Why or why not?