Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: May 22, 2023 | 
| 中文
Mohsin Abbas Haider and Saima Baloch in Super Punjabi
If you have entered the cinema, thinking of Super Punjabi as a film that is somewhat related to Superman, Super Mario Bros. or DC League of Super Pets, then you would be gravely disappointed. For this film, one must be aware of the Punjabi culture, the sites of Punjab and the native language as the movie has been made for the Punjabis living in the sub-continent and around the world. If you are fond of jugats (one liner comedic repartee) and are okay with making fun of one's appearance, Super Punjabi is just for you.
Mohsin Abbas and Nasir Chinyoti in one of the scenes
The main story revolves around Sakhi, played by actor/singer Mohsin Abbas Haider, who is all set to start a family. He instantly falls in love with the first girl he sets his eyes on (at least in the movie) and acquires her visiting card for contact. Sahiba, the lady love, is a character played by an upcoming actress, Saima Baloch, famous for her role in The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022). Saima Baloch’s character was a mixture of 3 Idiots’ vespa driving Kareena Kapoor and a filmi housewife, yet she seemed uncomfortable. She was not even close to Mohsin Abbas Haider’s charm, and as an Urdu speaking wife, needs to improve her acting skills.
The producer wasted a good plot for the film. The opening shot has Zaid Gill, Iftikhar Thakur’s character, waiting outside a mazar for his sister. It seems that Gill had been helping his sister’s family after the death of her husband, and adores his handicapped nephew. Gill vows to eradicate polio from the face of the earth, but is not seem to be making any effort for it in the movie. In his very next appearance on screen, the producer of the film is seen dancing in a night suit around his wife Zara, who is busy doing her morning yoga session. Played by Sana Fakhar (who is still appearing in films), Zara manages to remove Sakhi, the chief accountant, from her path, as she too is planning a heist of her husband. Good as an exploiting yet sexy wife, her role could have been meatier. The third female lead in the movie, Rukhma Gul, plays the wife of Miskeen Butt, who is one of the two most important characters in the film. Rukhma has a good and a loving relationship with her husband, Miskeen Butt.
Nasir Chinyoti and Rukhma Gull in the film
The story takes a turn when Sakhi is fired from his job and overhears something related to infidelity, on return. A comedy of errors follows, and Sakhi meets Miskeen, who had broken into his car to rob him. Since both were going through bad times at home, they bond well. Miskeen (played by Nasir Chinyoti) was fed up of his life and found a reason to live, and by the next morning, Sakhi and Miskeen plan to rob cash from Zaid Gill’s farmhouse. However, Zara had been planning the same.
Iftikhar Thakur and Sana Fakhar in the film
The half-baked plot and the weak screenplay of the film diminishes the quality of the film. Without developing the characters, the inconsistent pace of the story leaves the viewers restless and bored. In order to inject some spice and life into the movie, the characters of Jaggi and Jazzi (played by Adnan Tipu and Saqib Sameer respectively) and Abid Pambeeri (Saleem Albela) are introduced, but Nawaz Anjum as Maujo, steals the show. Like a typical Punjabi stage drama, he keeps on stuttering the line LAHORE LAHORE HAI (there is no city like Lahore).
Sana Fakhar, Saqib Sameer and Adnan Shah Tipu in the film
Miskeen’s mother-in-law, Inspector Fawad Khan, sister of Zaid Gill and the sister and brother-in-law of Sahiba, make very brief appearances. Their small acts could only appeal and make sense to ethnic Punjabis, but would find no resonance with non-Punjabis. Music and Cinematography deserve full points in the movie. The Director of Photography did a superb job, and certain scenes were shot in a single take, while the film’s bright lighting and colors enhanced the beauty of nature.
The music of Super Punjabi is better, as it had a variety of songs: romantic, a shaadi number, a sufi solo or a Bollywood style duet. Using the vocals of Naseebo Lal, Fareiha Pervez and Mohsin Abbas Haider himself, Sami Khan did a decent job with this Punjabi flick.
Nasir Chinyoti and Mohsin Abbas in Super Punjabi
Director Abu Aleeha had more impact in Urdu films, but he has tried to expand his horizon by directing a Punjabi film. Super Punjabi is a movie by the Punjabis and for the Punjabis. Technically, it can be called an anti-dote to Faysal Qureshi’s Money Back Guarantee (MBG), which came out at the right time. MBG had an appeal for non-Punjabis, while Super Punjabi is a source of pride for the people of Punjab.
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