Once an American social reformer Frederick Douglas said," men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must certainly pay for all they get." In midst of target killing, mobile snatching and land mafias, hoping an opportunity to improve quality of life for an individual from middle or lower class of the society is not less than boiling the ocean. This is the tragedy of life of Adeel Nawaz (Ahmad Ali Akbar) the male protagonist of newly released Pakistani film "Laal Kabootar".
Directed by debutante Kamal Khan, "Laal Kabootar" is such a cinematic piece which drags its viewer into darker side of Karachi. Though Karachiites are well acquainted with this darker shade of the city but the one who carries only surface knowledge of this mega city may have his or her shock of life after witnessing the events on silver screen and those events are blunt and ruthless. These are the elements which make "Laal Kabootar" such a content no one has dared to show on silver screen before. No one can do it if he or she has not tasted the real essence of Karachi and Kamal Khan has done it. Along with Kamal Khan the producers of the film Hania Cheema and Kamil Cheema must be commended for taking on such an uphill task in their young age.
Ahmad Ali Akbar, who has been a regular feature of few good films lately with forgettable roles, appears as an actor par excellence. One may no doubt on his acting caliber but "Laal Kabootar" has provided him enough room to blossom his skills and he does it brilliantly. Critics who understand the pros and cons of realistic performances would have already short listed him in the category of Best Actors in next year's award shows.
Ahmad Ali Akbar steals the show with his realistic portrayal but Mansha Pasha does not fall back and shines with equal intensity. Rashid Farooqui who last impressed film critics in "Ramchand Pakistani" gives outstanding performance as a typical police-wala with genuine needs. At last but not least Saleem Mairaj, who appears as a cameo but frightens enormously. With his acting prowess Saleem Mairaj may challenge India's Nawazuddin Siddiqui and as a critic I would love to see him proving his metal along with him someday. Background score, editing and music are top-notch. Mo Azmi has done splendid job in cinematography and makes "Laal Kabootar" a well-shot film.
On the whole, "Laal Kabootar" is a film with gripping narrative, realistic treatment and impeccable performances. The way Kamal Khan has carved out his first film project it will not be an exaggeration to say that if Oliver Stone would have come to Pakistan to make film on Karachi then it would be somewhat similar to "Laal Kabootar". Do not miss it.
