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    Film Review: Jeewan Hathi

    Written by: Syed Hashir Ali
    Posted on: November 07, 2016 | | 中文

    The official poster for 'Jeewan Hathi'

    With the release of Jeewan Hathi, the adept duo of Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi has once again satisfied the cravings of dark humor enthusiasts in Pakistan. Having previously directed Zinda Bhaag in 2013, which depicted the harsh realities of Pakistan’s underclass, Gaur and Nabi have now attempted to portray the underbelly of Pakistani media.

    Produced by Shailja Kejriwal and written by Fasih Bari Shah, Jeewan Hathi features a multifaceted cast including Hina Dilpazeer, Naseeruddin Shah, Samiya Mumtaz, Saife Hassan, Adnan Jaffar, Kiran Tabeer and Nazar ul Hassan. The story revolves around Natasha (Hina Dilpazeer), who is a witty TV personality. Unable to handle the pressures of being a morning show host, she quits and starts her own reality show. Natasha and her TV channel are comfortable taking extreme measures in their quest for ratings. Although the film’s duration leaves something to be desired at a mere 60 minutes, the makers have still managed to effectively convey their intended message.

    Film Jeewan Hathi Review

    Hina Dilpazeer (centre) as Natasha

    Jeewan Hathi unveils the hypocrisy of the mainstream media and the society in general. The initial scenes show the life of an ordinary lower-middle class couple, played by Kiran Tabeer and Nazar ul Hassan. Due to Natasha’s desperate attempts to gain ratings for her reality show, the couple, despite having strong chemistry, is soon exposed to a dark secret about themselves and their relationship. As the film progresses, the taboo issues of adultery, child marriage, societal roles enforced on women, terrorism, and corporate hypocrisy are unveiled one after the other. All the while, the script unsparingly mocks the prevalent unethical practices of TV media in the quest for high ratings.

    Film Jeewan Hathi Review

    Kiran Tabeer and Nazar ul Hassan as the Pakistani-Indian couple

    Hina Dilpazeer’s performance was perhaps the most anticipated one. Her character in the film is very different from that in her popular TV drama Bulbulay. Right from the start, she ensures that the audience knows that they are watching Natasha from Jeewan Haathi and not Momo from Bulbulay. Of course, the role of the ever-popular Naseeruddin Shah was also highly anticipated. Although he makes frequent injections of satire and interesting details throughout the film, his screen time remains low.

    Film Jeewan Hathi Review

    Naseeruddin Shah

    Despite controversies surrounding popular TV show hosts like Aamir Liaquat, Mubashar Lucman, Meher Bukhari and Nadia Khan, it is very rare that a film or drama unveils the darker side of Pakistani media. No one is unaware of the horrendous realities of the industry; however, its depiction in the mainstream remains largely positive. Not surprisingly, the nascent Pakistani cinema hadn’t produced anything on the topic either. However, with Jeewan Haathi, Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi have dared to take this issue head-on. Amidst the laughter and the comic characters, they have tackled a serious and pertinent theme with poignancy and skill.  

    Film Jeewan Hathi Review

    Adnan Jaffar and Samiya Mumtaz

    For the casual cinema-goers, Jeewan Hathi does not provide the complete and thoroughly entertaining package that they might be looking for. However, what it does offer is originality, as well as memorable moments of clever ironic humor and satire. The movie begins abruptly, with a song whose tune would appeal to many but whose lyrics would disturb most people. The ending is also quite abrupt, requiring personal deductions about the conclusion. Those anticipating a typical medium-budget Lollywood flick should expect little drama, no action scenes and no item number. However, the more perceptive ones among the audience would realize the important message behind the film and appreciate its novelty.

    Film Jeewan Hathi Review
     

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021