Conspiring with his younger brother, he misleads the family into believing he is running away, leading to an armed chase to the airport. There, Sallu’s family mistakes the suave Shehryar for their son and brother and carry him off to their tiny home while Sallu fllies off to Lahore with the company representative who has come to receive him, the glamorous but ditzy Hayaa (Janita Asma). Thus begins a series of misadventures where Shehryar receives less than stellar treatment in semi-captivity at the hands of a family he doesn’t know but eventually becomes fond of, while Sallu lives it up in luxury, endearing himself to the company employees who mistake him for their boss. Thrown into the mix are two rival, dimwitted gangs, who attempt to make money by kidnapping the Nawab’s son; their roles, however, are a rather unnecessary addition.
Sohai Ali Khan
A comedy of errors interspersed liberally with song and dance routines, the film nonetheless falls a little short of satisfying. The comedy seems forced as the humor mostly consists of jokes that are stale, bordering on crass or just not funny. The editing needs work, especially in the initial half hour of the film as the viewer struggles to find coherence in the flow of the narrative. There are some irritants and loopholes. What is initially pushed as Sallu’s passionate dream to make it big in movies becomes quickly dismissed when he gets an opportunity to impersonate Shehryar and live in riches. The song and dance sequence ‘Meri Selfiyaan’, comes in celebration after one of the family children has been circumcised, so the two cant be linked with a long stretch. Laila’s clothes, hair and makeup, while beautifully done, are unrealistic in view of her social status and background. Most amusing is the blatant use of product and service placement, specifically a certain cell phone brand, and a certain bus service that runs in Lahore (having recently debuted in Islamabad itself).
However, it does have its redeeming features, essentially the acting. With one or two exceptions, the cast has delivered with natural acting and this effectively prevents you from categorizing Wrong No. as a lost cause. Javed Sheikh is convincing as an overbearing, uncompromising father and father-in-law. Danish Taimoor is equally successful in his portrayal of the goofy, selfish and irresponsible Sallu, as well as the cultured and gallant Shehryar. Sohai Abro is very, very good. She remains true to character from beginning to end; is energetic and fun to watch in the dance numbers, and endears even the reluctant viewer who might be tempted to dismiss her as annoying. Together, these three bring substance.
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
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir
Video message by Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed on Black Day of Indian Occupation of Kashmir, 27 October 1947, when Indian military troops forcibly occupied Kashmir illegally, claiming a fraudulent ‘Instrument of Accession’ which never existed as documented by eminent British historian Alastair Lamb! Kashmir & Palestine are examples of illegal occupation & continued Resistance to Repression! There are so many commonalities in Kashmir & Palestine: both under brutal military occupation of foreign powers, both are facing an indigenous, popular, spontaneous & widespread Resistance & Uprising, both are in violation of UN Resolutions which haven’t been implemented, both are witnessing an attempted change in the demographic balance, both are facing the use of rape as a weapon of war, both are testimony to double-standards & hypocrisy of Western powers on human rights & fundamental rights, and both conflicts have an element of racism and Islamophobia, while enduring peace, security and stability will remain elusive in both regions, South Asia & Middle East, until these issues are resolved in accordance with popular aspirations.
