Laal Kabootar

I have very low expectations for this movie, but I am very surprised by this! Theatre was in hoots during some of the scenes and amazing direction every element of this movie is prefect. Laal Kabootar will make you regain your faith in Pakistani cinema.

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.

A crime thriller based in the city of Karachi is already a very intriguing scenario and then you add some great actors and a great director like Kamal Khan it becomes a must watch.

How Karachi is whatever happens in Karachi is not good but when it is about filmmaking then Karachi is a gold mine for filmmakers but unfortunately no filmmaker had dug that gold but now Kamal did. Kamal Khan has used Karachi not as a city but as a character in the film. it is a very courageous movie, and especially for a Pakistani filmmaker. Hats off to Cheema brother and sister who took that risk.

The film is gorgeous Mo Azmi has captured every single shot with absolute perfection. Music by Taha Malik is absolutely top notch.

I am out of words to describe how great this film is, I would just say that this is a very rare film we don't see films like this coming out of Pakistan everyday or even every year, so please go out and support this movie and encourage these producers so they can take more risks and make more movies like this.

What Kamal Khan has done with Laal Kabootar is something which more established and esteemed directors in Pakistani cinema have yet to do: provide something new. Modern day Pakistani cinema (with a few exceptions) can be subdivided into two categories: the attempting, but failing miserably, Bollywood copies and the over the top mind numbing patriotic/army movies. However, Laal Kabootar shows the talent and thought is there in Pakistani cinema, it just needs to be explored. A movie which deviates from the norm, focuses on story and has beautiful cinematography, Laal Kabootar is in a class of its own. Hopefully, it'll act as a foundation to a much better and more diverse Pakistani film industry.

Brilliant performances by the lead actors and a breakthrough direction by debut director Kamal Khan. The storytelling is an ode to Karachi tragic life, where state has given up on its basic responsibility and individuals of all kinds are ruling the city, in the guise of mafia. One of a kind Pakistani movie. Go watch and support the local cinema industry!