Punjab Nahi Jaungi (2017)

Good concept, poorly executed.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Its An Awesome Pakistani Movie I Have Ever Watched...

A very entertaining movie of the year. A must watch. Great plot. Great acting. Good comedy. My vote 10/10

There are few films which had power to change the decision of critics and new Pakistani blockbuster Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) belongs to same category. As a film reviewer and critic I had relinquished the idea of reviewing every film I watch but my faith in writings of Khalil-Ur-Rehman Qamar forced me to change my decision. He first stumped me as writer with TV serial "Sadqay Tumharay" and this time he completely bamboozled me with water tight script of film PNJ. By and large Khalil-Ur-Rehman is one of the most noteworthy writers of our era who are not less than an asset for Pakistani film & TV industry. His writings with uncanny glimpses of his own life time experiences, carries the essence of soil and culture our overall Pakistani society actually thrives upon and this is the reason his work seems believable to the great extent. Nadeem Beyg the director whom my wife mistaken as film star Nadeem Baig is one few good things which happened in Pakistani film industry lately. He started his innings with ground breaking TV serials like Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat and Pyaray Fazal and now he has scored his second double century with PNJ after giving massive hit like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (JPNA) couple of years ago. He is raising his stature as an accomplished film director with every film. His ability of extracting remarkable performances wrapped in heavy dialogues and humorous punch liners is one of the kind and singles him out as a director who keeps his viewers engaged in every scene of the film. His ostentatious vision is an element which was missing before but now alleviates Pakistani film industry to another level. There is always a room for improvement but he has raised viewers expectations substantially which does not allow him to fall back. His next directorial venture must be grandeur and visually majestic. Humayun Saeed as a flamboyant feudal grandson Fawad Khagga is as lovable as one can think of. As a film critic I was not a big fan of Humayun Saeed's acting prowess but JPNA changed my opinion and his role as Fawad Khagga in PNJ has increased my confidence on him as the most bankable superstar of Pakistani film industry today. As a typical Punjabi feudal son who loves to use English sentences in hardcore Punjabi accent is nothing but an adorable feature of PNJ. Every time when he responds to any query with "Good Question, Very Good Question..." we hear giggles in cinema hall. His episode of "Help Me Durdana" has already become catchphrase of the year. Dazzling Mehwish Hayat dazzles her viewers again with her intense portrayal of UK returned Amal who has been brought up according to modern standards of the time and the same time trained to carry burden of traditional family values in sophisticated way. Though she does not have any leverage of funny punch liners but she mesmerizes viewers with her beauty in every frame. Casting Suhail Ahmed as Mehtab Khagga the feudal lord and grandfather of Humayun Saeed is a master stroke. We cannot imagine anyone else to play the role of funny but lovable Mehtab Khagga. It seems this role was specifically written for him. PNJ is debut film for seasoned TV actress Naveed Shahzad. The kind of subtle, mature and restrained performance she has given as Beebojee, no doubt she will be among the top contenders to win best supporting actress award next year. Urwa Hocane is amazing as manipulative but naive Durdana. Ahmad Ali Butt who charmed us in JPNA does not have much screen time in PNJ but whenever he appears he spreads same persona which we used to experience in times of Rafi Khawar aka Nanna. Other actors like Waseem Abbas, Saba Waseem and Behroz Sabzwari have done satisfactory job. Much credit to be given to cinematographer of PNJ who has done splendid job and made every scene of the film an eye candy. Likewise team of Sahir Ali Bagga, Meesha Shafi, Sheeraz Uppal and Farhan Saeed has done remarkable job in music department by giving melodious numbers of the year. On the whole, Punjab Nahi Jaungi is not a film but an EVENT of the year and it will be crime to miss it. PNJ has already claimed the title of BLOCK BUSTER in Pakistan and outshines Indian films like Baadshaho and A Gentleman in UK and European markets. The kind of response PNJ is receiving all over it will not be an exaggeration to claim that Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) would have earned INR 200Crores easily if it would have been released in India. Indian distributors this is your miss.

Overall the movie was very good. I am very happy to see Pakistani industry making movies like this. Very good comedy and romantic story-line. Highly recommended to watch to support Pakistani film industry. If we compare it to the most of the Bollywood movies, I would say that it is better than most of the recent Bollywood movies but yeah I admit the story gives you a feel of typical Indian script. All the characters were perfectly acted upon specially the lead roles.