I Am Shahid Afridi

Going into the theater at a high-end multiplex, I had high expectations from the movie. Apart from having a 9.5 IMDb rating, the movie had garnered much critical acclaim, which given the high level of cynicism among Pakistani critics is a rare feat. I am happy to say that this movie sets the tone for Pakistani cinema that (hopefully) will follow it. While it attempts social commentary, this movie is not a polemic diatribe against the system like "Bol" or to a certain extent, "Khuda Ke Liye." It's goal is to entertain and the movie does just that.

The story revolves around a small-town team aspiring to make it big and a player who aspires to reach the level of the legend that's Shahid Afridi. They find their coach in a framed and banished former cricket hero played by Humayun Saeed. No prizes for guessing where the story heads from here -- there are the usual love interests, the villainous rival team, a broken-family subplot and so forth, but all of this is executed with panache and the acting and script writing is decent. However what really works in the film's favor is some solid supporting performances from Nadeem Baig, who shows what acting greats are made of, and from Hamza Ali, who infuses some verve into the proceedings. The music score ably supports the production. Special mention to the the song-and-dance sequence at the start, which is nothing short of sensational.

The script does have a predilection for resorting to character stereotypes (which are incorrect), however given that MHSA is a first time effort by majority of the production team, this can be forgiven. Syed Noor, Shoaib Mansoor and the rest of the Lollywood old-school gang should take a lesson or two from the movie and start infusing some energy and verve in their cinema, because the audience generally pays to be entertained and not lectured.

Rating: ***** (1 additional * for being the first and getting so many things right)

To actually see a movie from Pakistan in which actors are talking and not yelling was a pleasant surprise but as the movie progressed it completely blew my mind off for being so real.

The problem with the industry is that no one wants to appreciate a good mainstream family movie – especially from people within the film fraternity. I could hear murmurs about art and intelligence, as soon as I ventured outside the screening. For these self-made connoisseurs of the medium, I only point to the deafening applause the film collected two or three times.

Rather than reading the reviews, you should be investing your time in watching this movie right away at the cinema.

Awesome movie!!!

I think this movie breaks the record. All of you guys must saw this movie in cinema because this movie is awesome.

This movie provides the fully entertainment like drama, comedy, emotions, sports & romantic.

Hamayaun Saeed, Mahnoor Bloch, Shafaqt Cheema, Nadeem Baig, Farhan Maqsood, Hamza Abbasi(Molvi Majeed in film awesome acting), and also Javaid Sheikh all of you spur b acting. Especially Hamza Abbasi and shafaqt cheema your acting is too much awesome. I am big fan of you and also this movie.

Belonging to Sialkot, I felt a sense of pride at this movie. It was the premiere in the city, and everyone was literally off their seats by the end. The acting, story, cast everything was perfect. It may have been termed as an only for families movie, but it had plenty in the start for the stags to excited about. Mahnoor Baloch, elegant as ever, Humayun Sayed, another fantastic performance. Ainy Jaffri was the surprise package, she looked gorgeous. The story may have been a little predictable by the end, but it was perfect in every sense. It was entertaining at every stage. Way better than the recent Indian Movies. Pakistan Cinema has revived. A must see for everyone in Pakistan.

Being huge fan of sports films i was waiting for this one and when finally it hits the theater, i watched it immediately and boy it was awesome.The film is basically sports drama,based on dream of a teenage to become cricket legend Shahid Afrid and how he struggles through lot of hurdles in order to achieve his dream that is,to become Shahid Afridi.Although the film is almost 3 hours long but you wont get bored throughout the movie which is huge plus for the film.The only drawback of the film is its average music its not that good but only OK.I think every sports lover should have to watch it and believe me you wont get bored.Final verdict 9/10....Its Awesome.