Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: May 01, 2023 | 
| 中文
Mani, Hira Mani and Fawad Khan
Money Back Guarantee (or MBG) finally hit the screens on Eid, for the movie was in production for a long time. Like The Legend of Maula Jatt, it had to face delays due to several edits and the Covid-19 wave further slowed it down. Promoted as a Fawad Khan-Wasim Akram starrer, it has come out as Pakistan’s first urban comedy, a genre untested so far in the film industry. It is the comedian/writer/director Faisal Qureshi’s directorial debut for the big screen, who has been providing entertainment for a long time, and did not disappoint this time also.
If you are a forty plus Pakistani, who grew up watching Fifty Fifty on Pakistan Television (PTV), loved Umer Sharif’s ‘Bakra Qisto (A goat for sale on installments), laughed at the antics of ‘Jan Rambo’ in Guest House, managed time between studies and NTM’s VJ, was fond of College Jeans and was fascinated by losers like Mani and Azfar in Indus Televsion’s Sab Set Hai, Money Back Guarantee is just made for you. With actors picked from the comedy shows of yore, Faisal Qureshi comes out with a film that can be termed a mix of slapstick comedy and political satire.
The movie begins when Munda Punjabi (Punjabi boy) played by Marhoom Bilal, decides to loot a bank with Nawaz Sindhi, played by Mirza Gohar. The Pak Bank has the accounts of corrupt politicians who have kept their ill-gotten money that they have looted from the people, safe in their accounts. G.A. Muhajir (Mani), Jan Rambo (Christian Bail, who is a Christian but is out on bail), Sanam Baloch (Kiran Malik), Ilyas Kashmiri (Shayan Khan) and naswar-chewing Irfan Pathan (Mikaal Zulfiqaar) join hands with them, solely to get out of their impoverished condition. With elections for President impending, there is a tussle for power in progress between Manager Bux (Fawad Khan) and President Akram (Wasim Akram). Fawad’s sweet- faced character of Bux is a power-hungry manager, who wears rings with letters B.U.X. The corrupt and scheming Bux is willing to crush anyone who stands in his way for becoming the President. Like a typical Lahori, Bux’s mind ceases to work at the mention of Roti lag gyi (food is being served) an act that attracted laughter from many.
Fawad Khan in Money Back Guarantee
Cricketer-turned-model-turned-actor, Wasim Akram, just about managed his short role. He had the chance to dance with his wife, while keeping an eye open for whatever is happening on the premises. The former captain needs to work very hard on his acting skills and should be aware that acting in films is different from working in ads with one-liners. However, his wife Shaniera, was quite impressive in the role of a foreign journalist, who exposed the shenanigans taking place at the bank.
Fawad Khan, the main antagonist, is supported by his clumsy henchmen, Ali Safina (Zarf) and Aqdas Waseem (Zameer). They remind the viewers of Thomson and Thomson from the Tin Tin Comic series, always trying to outdo each other.
The blueprint of the Pak Bank strangely resembles the country’s map. It is not the only ‘shocker’ from MBG. Sindhi has become so poor that he is no more mehman nawaz or hospitable. ‘Mohajir’, is so frustrated that he is ready to pick a fight at the drop of a hat, the Baloch are silenced by ‘Asmat Gas Farosh’ (a humorous name), minorities always have the sword of blasphemy hanging over their head, Pashtuns always negating the notion that they are fools, while the Kashmiris simply want recognition. The only sane voice we hear among the group comes from Christian Bail, played by the veteran Jan Rambo. After sneaking into the bank, he discovers the weak security of the Bank to the team and comes up with an effective plan for the robbery. He is shown to be brave in standing up to the President during the climax scene.
Given director/actor Faisal Qureshi’s experience over the last three decades, he was able to assemble a good cast and get them to perform well. Whether it is spray-painting the portrait at the bank, or charging in with a gun like a pro, he used Mani and Mikaal Zulfiqar to perfection. It was not Mikaal but Gohar, who matched Mani’s performance. In contrast to his role as Makha Natt in The Legend of Maula Jatt (TLMJ), Gohar is perfect as a depleted laidback Sindhi, who is afraid of his wife. The Sindhi tone he adopts is marvelous, and his mannerism is likely to bring a smile to your face. The Sindhi’s contradiction between words and deeds is evident when Gohar’s character lectures about the importance of conserving water but forgets to turn off the tap.
Director Faisal Qureshi during a shot
Mani’s antics associated with the Muhajirs of the 90s, is something Karachites could easily relate to. He reminds one of the veteran Nirala, where the pan-chewing comedian was cast as a wrestler on TV, very glib in his one liner repartee. Mani’s insistence on being called G.A.Mohajir instead of Mohajir, was a taunt at the MQM party who ruled the streets back then. The famous sacks that carried the dead, was also used to perfection in MBG, as a tribute to Mohajirs.
Director Faisal Qureshi with the cast and crew of the film
Kiran Malik comes out as a surprise as Sanam Baloch, impressing after her performance in Shaan Shahid’s Zarrar, which was released last year. She had poetic dialogues to deliver, expressing the problems faced by Balochistan. Mikaal Zulfiqar was good but sadly, Shayan Khan’s character was not developed fully. The actor, who also happens to be the producer, miserably failed to express the pain of Kashmiris, the way a professional actor could have.
Kiran Malik
It was refreshing to see the original Noori Nath, Mr. Mustafa Qureshi, after a long gap on screen. There were extended cameos by evergreen Javed Shaikh as Head Guard, News Anchor-turned-actor Adnan Jaffar as the top cop, Hina Dilpazir as Sahiba Begum and Ayesha Umar as Mani Begum, but stand-up comedian Shafaat Ali, was too good as President Trump. Shafaat dominates after the interval, conversing in Americanised Urdu. The best part was when he reveals that he has learnt all Pakistani things before coming over: telling lies, breaking promises, defending wrongdoing, and looking down on others. The situation becomes quirky when the Head Guard is found to be intrusive despite the security system crumbling and the Top Cop cannot be held accountable due to his family influence.
The political satire and an overdose of pop culture references, restrict the movie to a certain class. Serious issues were conveyed through metaphors, reminding what as a nation we have become. The director Faisal Qureshi appears in several cameos, mostly as the voice of our conscience. The people get the rulers that they deserve (Jaisi Awaam Waisay Hukumran) gets a new meaning with this film, as the VIP culture and American influence is mocked. The high point of the movie was the scene when the entire circus turns into something serious, a moment that highlights what goodness is left in the nation.
Marhoom Bilal, Kiran Malik and Mani
Produced by Zashko Productions, the cinematography of Money Back Guarantee was done by Kee Hoe Kelvin, while Tyler Westen took care of the music department. Songs are few but perfectly timed, while Kami Na Ho and the mujra numbers were sweet yet powerful. MBG is not a usual Pakistan film. For those expecting a Neelam Muneer item number, a romantic angle between the characters or unnecessary punches, this movie is sadly not their cup of tea. Those who have liked it, have already gone for another viewing.
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