Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: July 26, 2022 | 
| 中文
Fahad Mustafa as Gulab Mughal and Mahira Khan as Jiya in Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
On Eid-ul-Azha, just like Eid-ul-Fitr, cinemas in Pakistan were abuzz with excitement; a good omen for local film industry that certainly needs a continuous flow of good films for cine goers. Unlike last Eid when there were five films, a bit too many to be honest, this time the race was amongst two big budget films, as the tasteless Lafangay did not count: London Nahi Jaunga with the tried and tested pair of Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat, and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad (QAZ) , with the first-time pairing of Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan. Both the films seemed promising, thanks to a particularly aggressive pre-release marketing campaign and press junkets. Audiences, who only had time to watch one, definitely had a hard time choosing one over the other. Also, with prices for cinema tickets sky-rocketing, it is important to research and read reviews carefully before taking a pick. Here is the case for QAZ with 5 reasons that make it a must watch.
Mahira during the shoot of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad with others.
There is something about the films with police as the subject that never fails to excite audiences of the subcontinent. Despite the bad press that the police force often gets, the valor and gallantry associated with men in uniform when projected on the big screen, never fails to excite viewers. QAZ combines idealism with comedy, romance, and a social message. The film rolls it all into a delightful package with a tightly woven storyline. Using magical realism, a technique not seen often in Pakistani films, QAZ is the story of Gulab, son of a conscientious police officer, Munir Mughal. Mughal tells his young son that the photo of Quaid on Pakistan’s banknotes is to keep an eye on the citizens of this country, and a reminder that the founder of the nation is watching over us so we must remain honest and fair. The boy is made to believe that the photo of Quaid may vanish from the banknotes if we upset him. As a little boy who trusts his father blindly, Gulab narrates the same to his friends and gets ridiculed by them. This embarrassment drives Gulab, who grows up to be a police officer like his father, become dishonest and corrupt. Unlike his father, he never misses a chance to earn unlawful money, be it through bribes or extortion. Ironically, he stashes all his ill-gotten cash behind a picture of Muhammad Ali Jinnah hanging in his bedroom. As Gulab’s life takes a dramatic turn due to some incidents, Quaid’s image disappears from his and his evil patrons’ money. This proves to be a wake-up call for Gulab and what unfolds after that is for you to watch on the big screen.
Fahad Mustafa in an emotionally charged scene
There is no doubt that Fahad Mustafa’s energy is infectious. His irrepressible swag is on full display in QAZ dressed in a crisply ironed police uniform and perfectly coiffed hair. This is his fifth film with the director-producer duo Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza, who also share the credit as writers of QAZ. Looking dashing in uniform and button-down shirts, a mustachioed Mustafa, fits the role of a cop like a glove. Gulab is goofy without being ridiculous, and gullible without being a fool. His styling, characterization and performance is on point, and his naughty but nice portrayal of a bad-turned-good cop madly in love and out with a mission, is credible despite the fairy-tale-like twist in his life. In Mustafa, Pakistani film industry has finally found a star with the same charm as exuded by stars of yesteryears such as Shan, Nadeem and Waheed Murad. He is equally good at romancing and action, and has obviously worked hard at the gym for this role. Mustafa is a good actor and one hopes he keeps getting good roles and we see more of him on the big screen in future.
Fahad as Inspector Gulab in Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
Mahira is beautiful and has really mastered the art of playing the role of a docile, good natured leading lady to the hilt. In QAZ she looks her usual drop-dead gorgeous self, but surprises her fans by playing a role that is feisty and mischievous. She is Jiya, a woke animal-rights activist with a strong moral compass and an inspiration for Gulab to change his ways. Jiya is passionate, vocal, playful and independent. Despite this character’s stark contrast from Khan’s on and off-screen persona, Khan is convincing and endearing. The two out of the three songs of the film that feature her, are where she is at her best and claims the screen completely as Gulab’s lady-love. Her wardrobe, styling and mannerism while playing Jiya is a pleasant change, as we see her riding a scooter and speaking her mind, a welcome change from Khan’s previous roles. At the end, one is left wishing Jiya had more screen time as QAZ belongs to Mustafa all along.
Mahira Khan as Jiya
Visual effects, sometimes abbreviated VFX, is the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live-action shot in filmmaking. Pakistani films until recently lacked big time on this front. Pakistani films of the ‘80s and ‘90s were often ridiculed by more sophisticated audiences for their crude fighting, action sequences and sound effects. In QAZ, Nabeel Qureshi has really changed this by filming some world-class action sequences. You will see Gulab jumping from a flying motorbike to catch the folding landing gear of a flying airplane, and with that making his way inside the plane. Despite a logic defying stunt, the sequence has been executed with enough skill to still be digestible with a pinch of salt. What fun is a cop film without some far-fetched stunts.
Fahad's action scene in the film
QAZ has some of the most impressive performances by character actors seen in the recent times on Pakistani screens. Munir Mughal, played by Faiq Khan as a young man, and the expert thespian Qavi Khan in old age, is a perfect example of how supporting cast can shine despite having limited screen time. Qavi Khan cannot be praised enough for his portrayal of a father who wanted his son to be upright and principled, but is crushed after discovering his son’s corruption. The scene where he walks shamefully in the rain holding a picture of the Quaid, leaves audiences with goosebumps. Nayyer Ejaz as the antagonist Rana Kamran, a corrupt politician, and Mehmood Aslam as a corrupt senior officer, Babar Jilani, provide the perfect antithesis to Munir Mughal and his vision for Gulab. Javed Shiekh as an associate of Gulab with a comical character, is hilarious and entertaining. Saleem Mairaj is impactful in a short but poignant scene. Full marks to the makers for getting the right actors for the right roles.
Javed Sheikh as Ronaq Ali, an associate of Fahad Mustafa
Overall, QAZ is a film that has introduced many new dimensions to the fast-expanding spectrum of Pakistan film industry. A new bankable formula has been worked out for the local cinema, and full marks to Nabeel and Fizza for taking the chance and delivering effectively. Move over Chulbul Pandey, we have our own perfect brand of a cop hero, Gulab Mughal, to claim the throne. Go watch ‘Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad’ this weekend.
Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza, the Director-Producer duo
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