Written by: Shahnawaz Ramay
Posted on: July 13, 2022 | 
| 中文
Ahsan Khan as Danish and Ayesha Omar as Shagufta in Rehbra
Rehbra, a Pakistani film, starring Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan, appears to be a rom-com. The usual formula of girl meets boy, both fall in love and live happily ever after. However, the true nature of the film is somewhat different.
The film portrays Ayesha Omar as the spunky, bold, and speak-her-mind protagonist Shagufta, who wants to travel to Karachi before tying the knot. Think of it as a desi bachelorette party. Quite a harmless proposition really, she just wants to go visit her friend, buy clothes and live it up. It is also here, that she meets Danish, the character of Ahsan Khan, shooting a commercial for his construction company. She mistakes him for a porter, a few jokes are exchanged and she sets on her merry way.
Ayesha Omar and Ahsan Khan in one of the scenes
Following the news of a target killing, she has to abruptly cancel her trip and head back home. At the same time, Danish is having to handle an overbearing female colleague who refuses to travel except by air to meet potential investors for the company. Danish volunteers and decides to go by train. This is where Shagufa (lovingly called Bubbly), runs into him again trying to shake off would-be harassers. Because the train breaks down, they end up attending a mela, which seems to be centered around the dancing of women. After Danish saves Bubbly from harassers (again), he delivers a monologue that eternally changes her decision to marry her cousin Teetu. During the wedding ceremony, Bubbly decides not to take the marriage vows with Teetu and goes back to Danish, to profess her love for him.
Saba Faisal and Ghulam Mohiuddin as Shagufta's parents
After traveling back to Karachi and fantasizing about how she will propose to Danish, she ends up walking into his engagement party, where she tearfully departs. This is followed by a remorseful montage full of dark, dreary and for some reason, cinematography entirely shot under bridges. Meanwhile, Danish’s fiancé quips about not breaking someone’s heart and a guilty Danish decides to board the same train to apologize for making it seem like he was into Shagufta. During this, the train is attacked by bandits called the Ganju gang, who randomly select hostages to take back to their village. Danish gives chase only to end up being captured himself, and then followed by Bubbly’s father tearfully threatening to self-immolate. Following a police raid on the gang, the pair escapes only to be confronted by the gang leader later. After a fist fight, Danish is seen breaking off his engagement and heading to Bubbly’s house, and the film ends with a monologue.
Horse riding scene
The problems with this film are many, so I am wondering where to begin. In my previous review, I mentioned the film was made for the right people. This film, however, is a juiced down version of everything wrong with Pakistan media and the content production. The film is lackluster, awkward, disparaging and contradictory.
Bubbly is shown to be a brave and bold character, however, every time she does something bold like stand up for herself, she ends up creating more problems. As a viewer, I was not sure if I should chalk it up to stupidity or being bold. The character's views on life and reality are also questionable. The projection of a strong independent woman was short-lived, as she eventually falls in love in less than two days. The characterization lacked depth, intelligence and afraid to say it acting skills. Bubbly appeared to be dizzy and air headed.
Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar
Ahsan Khan’s depiction of Danish was also lackluster. Flat and monotonous, the character just seemed shallow. Perhaps, the lack of plot development is to be blamed, but the on-screen chemistry of the lead couple was missing. Pakistani films have somehow made long speeches a part of their format, which was unconvincingly delivered by Ahsan Khan. Let’s also not mention the cringe fourth-wall break at the end. It did nothing to redeem the film.
Apart from a bad casting choice, there are a few production choices that threw the film off completely. The insanely bad dubbing quality meant some of the actors in the film sounded like robots and emotionless. Some of the supporting roles, like the executive extra actor, was shown to be needlessly difficult and rude in a professional setting, which just felt really awkward to watch.
Sohail Sameer as the main villain
Speaking of executions, Sohail Sameer was superb. His portrayal of a poverty-ridden gang member was captivating. His presence, demeanor, portrayal, and mannerism spoke through the screen. Despite maybe only having less than 20 mins of screentime, he managed to be gripping in his portrayal. Somehow, the best part of the film was where the village and gang life were depicted. A 5-second romantic dance with his on-screen Sindhi wife was more believable than the entire 2-hour plot of Rehbra.
All in all, an absolute tragic flop that deserves no special mention.
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