Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: July 04, 2024 | 
| 中文
Sanam Saeed, Usman Mukhtar and Ali Kazmi in Umro Ayyar
The slogan "Yes, We Can" is famously associated with Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. It became a rallying cry for change and hope, capturing the spirit of his candidacy and resonating with millions of people. After viewing the latest Pakistani flick Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning, the first thing that comes to mind is that very slogan, as Azfar Jafri’s flick proves that Pakistan can do sci-fi, which can compete at the international level, with production from any other country. However, the flaws need to be addressed, if they want to attract the viewers.
Ali Kazmi and Usman Mukhtar in the film
The only sci-fi attempts Lollywood ever had, were from veteran ad-filmmaker Saeed Rizvi: Shani (1989) and Sar Kata Insaan (A headless corpse, 1994). In Shani, a man from space, takes on the face of a dead person and hunts down the killers, while in Sar Kata Insaan, as evident from the name, a headless corpse roams the streets at night. With modern production techniques and storytelling methods, Umro Ayyar is a new addition to the genre, but lacks to connect with the audience. The movie brings together a talented cast to reinterpret a classic literary figure in a modern context. These days, when kids are running away from books, asking them to engage with something their parents loved as kids is a big thing. For beginners, Umro Ayyar is a legendary figure from Urdu literature, originating from the classic Dastan-e-Amir Hamza (The Adventures of Amir Hamza), a collection of tales recounting the heroic exploits of Amir Hamza and his companions, The Ayyars. Umro, being one of these Ayyars, is famous for his cunning, wit and use of magical items, particularly his Zambeel (a magical bag that contains numerous tricks and treasures). Often portrayed as a trickster, Umro Ayyar uses his cleverness and magical tools to overcome adversaries. The tales of Umro Ayyar have captivated audiences for generations and continue to be a significant part of South Asian folklore. That was some forty years ago, and those who read UmroAyyar’s novels are parents of teenage kids.
(R to L) Usman Mukhtar, Sanam Saeed and Ali Kazmi and Salmaan Shaukat in Umro Ayyar
In the film, even a layman gets to know Ayyars through an animated montage. Assuming that everyone has read about Umro Ayyar, the story moves forward. The movie offers an intriguing mix of science fiction and fantasy elements, reimagining the classic character in a modern context. The cast includes renowned actors like Usman Mukhtar, Sanam Saeed, Faran Tahir, Sana Fakhar, Ali Kazmi and Manzar Sehbai, along with guest appearances by Adnan Siddiqi and Hamza Ali Abbasi.
Hamza Ali Abbasi and Usman Mukhtar
In the present day, Amar (Usman Mukhtar), a quantum physics professor, discovers his lineage connected to Umro Ayyar. The scene when Professor Amar is attacked by Laqqa’s men but saved by Ayyars-on-bikes, may have been shot in a jiffy. The good and the bad guys all looked the same. It was exciting for Umro Ayyar’s readers to see international star of Pakistan-origin Faran Tahir portray the menacing Laqqa, but for the non-readers, he was simply a bad guy who wanted all Ayyars dead. Veteran actor Sana Fakhar played the role of the evil Cheeno, and fit the role like a glove. However, it could not be said about Sanam Saeed and Ali Kazmi; in the roles of Meena and Maaz respectively, they seemed more focused on their appearance than on deep character development. It led to a lack of emotional connection with the audience, making the characters feel shallow or underdeveloped. On the other hand, Sana had firm control over her role as Cheena, something that complimented Faran Tahir’s threatening personality. The theme of good vs evil gets the Pakistani treatment, as the scene when Laqqa visits Amar’s house to kill him but fails, reflects the weak treatment by the director, who was also not up to the mark with the pace of the film.
Usman Mukhtar as professor Amar in the film
Heavily inspired by Hollywood flicks, it has shades of Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Avengers the End Game, Avatar and Matrix. The Ayyars' base, protected by Guru, looked weak in design as compared to Laqqa’s lair, and should have had a distinctive and memorable design, highlighting the ‘goodness’ in it. The action sequences get full marks, helping to make it more credible. Whatever gap the looseness of the story created, was filled by the innovative camerawork. If the producers want to make Umro Ayyar a successful trilogy, they will have to get a new story writer or get some sanity in the mind of Atif Rehan Siddiqui, who needs to improve his work.
Faran Tahir as Laqqa and Usman Mukhtar as Amar
Veteran actor Adnan Siddiqi was wasted in the film, as he was limited to one acting scene and one hanging scene. His photo on a wall was used for reference when de-aging tactics could have created a better set of visuals. Hamza Ali Abbasi was also there in a special appearance, but one hopes to see him more in the next two parts.
"Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning" could have revived the interest in classic Urdu literature and folklore among younger generation, but failed in a big way. The 2-hour 5-minute sci-fi flick is termed Pakistan’s biggest budget movie to date. One hopes that the next part of the movie, has a better understanding of the characters, as an average Pakistani viewer is not accustomed to sci-fi films as yet. They are still far from 'Yes We Can' watch an undercooked film, just for the sake of the Pakistani cinema.
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