Punjab Nahi Jaungi

There are few films which had power to change the decision of critics and new Pakistani blockbuster Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) belongs to same category. As a film reviewer and critic I had relinquished the idea of reviewing every film I watch but my faith in writings of Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar forced me to change my decision. He first stumped me as writer with TV serial "Sadqay Tumharay" and this time he completely bamboozled me with water tight script of film PNJ. By and large Khalil-Ur-Rehman is one of the most noteworthy writers of our era who are not less than an asset for Pakistani film & TV industry. His writings with uncanny glimpses of his own life time experiences, carries the essence of soil and culture our overall Pakistani society actually thrives upon and this is the reason his work seems believable to the great extent. Nadeem Beyg the director whom my wife mistaken as film star Nadeem Baig is one few good things which happened in Pakistani film industry lately. He started his innings with ground breaking TV serials like Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat and Pyaray Fazal and now he has scored his second double century with PNJ after giving massive hit like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (JPNA) couple of years ago. He is raising his stature as an accomplished film director with every film. His ability of extracting remarkable performances wrapped in heavy dialogues and humorous punch liners is one of the kind and singles him out as a director who keeps his viewers engaged in every scene of the film. His ostentatious vision is an element which was missing before but now alleviates Pakistani film industry to another level. There is always a room for improvement but he has raised viewers expectations substantially which does not allow him to fall back. His next directorial venture must be grandeur and visually majestic. Humayun Saeed as a flamboyant feudal grandson Fawad Khagga is as lovable as one can think of. As a film critic I was not a big fan of Humayun Saeed's acting prowess but JPNA changed my opinion and his role as Fawad Khagga in PNJ has increased my confidence on him as the most bankable superstar of Pakistani film industry today. As a typical Punjabi feudal son who loves to use English sentences in hardcore Punjabi accent is nothing but an adorable feature of PNJ. Every time when he responds to any query with "Good Question, Very Good Question..." we hear giggles in cinema hall. His episode of "Help Me Durdana" has already become catchphrase of the year. Dazzling Mehwish Hayat dazzles her viewers again with her intense portrayal of UK returned Amal who has been brought up according to modern standards of the time and the same time trained to carry burden of traditional family values in sophisticated way. Though she does not have any leverage of funny punch liners but she mesmerizes viewers with her beauty in every frame. Casting Suhail Ahmed as Mehtab Khagga the feudal lord and grandfather of Humayun Saeed is a master stroke. We cannot imagine anyone else to play the role of funny but lovable Mehtab Khagga. It seems this role was specifically written for him. PNJ is debut film for seasoned TV actress Naveed Shahzad. The kind of subtle, mature and restrained performance she has given as Beebojee, no doubt she will be among the top contenders to win best supporting actress award next year. Urwa Hocane is amazing as manipulative but naive Durdana. Ahmad Ali Butt who charmed us in JPNA does not have much screen time in PNJ but whenever he appears he spreads same persona which we used to experience in times of Rafi Khawar aka Nanna. Other actors like Waseem Abbas, Saba Waseem and Behroz Sabzwari have done satisfactory job. Much credit to be given to cinematographer of PNJ who has done splendid job and made every scene of the film an eye candy. Likewise team of Sahir Ali Bagga, Meesha Shafi, Sheeraz Uppal and Farhan Saeed has done remarkable job in music department by giving melodious numbers of the year. On the whole, Punjab Nahi Jaungi is not a film but an EVENT of the year and it will be crime to miss it. PNJ has already claimed the title of BLOCK BUSTER in Pakistan and outshines Indian films like Baadshaho and A Gentleman in UK and European markets. The kind of response PNJ is receiving all over it will not be an exaggeration to claim that Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) would have earned INR 200Crores easily if it would have been released in India. Indian distributors this is your miss.

Acting is Superb as Legendary Pakistani Actors have been chosen for the Film (8/10). Screen Play and Background Places are fascinating and attractive(9/10).Good camera work (7/10). Music is Good (6.5/10) but the choreography and dance are poor (5/10) apart from one last rocking song (7.5/10).

A story is a backbone of the movie. Khalil ur Rehman Qamar is one of the best and few writers I like. However, the story of the movie is a sheer disappointment for an extraordinary writer (4/10). The story looks haphazard and without logic and flow.

Too many comedy actors but dialogues are not meeting the comedy standards of Legends like Sohail Ahmed, Saba Qamar, Waseem Abbas, Behroz Sabazwari, and Ahmed Ali But (4/10). I think the writer could take help from these legends to improve the comic sense of the movie.

The writer opened many fronts but fails to fill the logic and Gap. For example, following questions needs an explanation. 1. What is Durdana's end result? 2. What did become of Dairy Farm? 3. Why the Ch. Fawad likes to be beaten by Waseh? 4. Why Amal agree to reconcile at the end?

Overall, Punjab Nahin Jaongi is an average movie (55~60/100)

The movie was good, actually way more better then what i expected from the trailer and the reviews. With certain flaws but still the movie keeps you glued to the chairs and entertains you.

Mehwish stole the show i mean she actually seem so real with ups and downs of the story. The stiffness, firmness of her character, how provocative a girl can be and truely a stunning beauty is she, is everything the character asked for. Hamayun was good but he actually didnt adopted the character of a punjabi feudal, overall he was average. Remaining whole cast Ahmed Ali butt, Mawra hocane, they all were good but Sohail ahmed was far more better then even the veteran actors like Saba or Waseem. Movie starts with a good pace from the villages of punjab, continues its journey with a few speed humps of a few disputes but again the stride continues; embedded with emotions, betrayel and certain comedy punches. Unpredictablilty was the core element of the movie i guess, because at certain points the movie was so smooth, it seemed like next thing will be the credits but then again a strike and the movie takes you to another turn.

What i didnt liked about the movie was the lenght of the movie was more then it needed. Culture of Punjab was literally ignored and music could habe been better.

As our industry rose from the ashes, highly eecommended to everyone, please watch and support.

Nice movie with full of funny dialogues. There was houseful here in Doha Qatar to watch this movie. Enjoyed a lot. Acting of Hummayo Saeed and Sohail alias Sohail is awesome. Never Say "Help Me, Durdana" was my fb status after watching this movie. I have never watched such a good movie in Lollywood. You will enjoy!!!!!!

This movie is really a treat for cinema loving families. The dialogues are very strong. But the script of the movie is very weak. All the emphasis is on the character Fawad Khagga which is written very brilliantly. I believe same hard work was required to write the other characters, esp. some characters like parents of leading actor and actress are just a show piece. Though with very good cinematography, movie lacks in clarity and is not technically very strong esp. when you perform a song in one voice on two different characters. But one thing is for sure, you leave the cinema with broad smile on your face and with some good dialogues like "help me durdana", "good question" in your mind