We Are Faheem & Karun

The story is really unique and beautiful and the way it is portrayed is excellent. The characters are limited but everyone has an internal story and are real, funny and their relationships with their family are completely pure. The border place and village is like a painting (included with mountains, river, trees and beautiful houses).

Which will take you easily to the different world.

Thank you so much Sir making this kind of cinema where Life is not a race and flows at a natural pace.

I have written some lines for the story.

I hope you like it !

Kadam sarhad ka pehra kiye, Nazaron me mohabbat ki chamak liye, Dil me armaanon ka ghoont piye, Ek hath hathiyar, doosre me Seb diye,

Intzaar me ho sukoon ki aas, barsa hai badal boondon ke sath,

Mehkane lagi mitti, khilne lage fool, Watch it ! Kyunki ye Rishta bhi hai cool.

Lots of Love !!!

Onir's surprisingly hopeful film WE ARE FAHEEM AND KARUN was spellbinding from the get go - the timeless landscape of Kashmir, the uncertainty etched on the faces of the young and old, the excited visitors... and in the middle of everyday life in Gurez are Faheem and Karun. Wide-eyed Karun is new to Kashmir and falls deeply in love with radiant Faheem. Their tragic love story unfolds slowly but surely without ever feeling balanced on the tropes of a queer romance set in an occupied land. Faheem smiles and shares his dreams with his dad, Faheem's mum laments but for a second about her dreams, and Faheem's brother dreams of release from his sense of desperation and enslavement. Stellar performances by Kashmiri actors Sana Javed (Faheem's mum), Mir Salman (Faheem's brother Zaid), and Tawsif Mir (Faheem) power this Kashmiri/Urdu film as it hurtles towards its inevitable ending. I'm left wondering what next as I stare at Faheem's stoic face, which is about to crumble under the weight of a love lost.

Onir is masterful storyteller and skilled filmmaker, but rarely do we find inspiring humans at the helm of films - he is someone who is able to carve a human story, a story of longing, of pain, and of hope in the face of insurmountable odds. This was not just a queer love story, it was a love story. I was proud to see Kashmiri talent shine on the silver screen. Thank you. Thank you, Onir.

This feature will feel personal if you are a human who has been in love amidst chaos. The story takes you on a beautiful journey of two humans who fall in love only to realise it's not their time. It's not because they are two men, but because of the lives they are living.

With Akash and Tawseef effortlessly becoming karun and faheem, you smile with them when they look at each other, are happy at any chance to see or meet each other. Two boys who are bound the minute they first meet and how their hearts keep pulling the strings taking them through each phase of their story and bringing them together. Moving with them you will feel like a teen who has found love and there is a happy skip to your feet and you cry with them when you see the two lovers grow up to the reality, theirs and the people around them.

This movie is not just a love story of Faheem and Karun, it's also a beautiful love letter to Kashmir and it's people. You can feel the joy, warmth, pain, anger and helplessness of the people.

Mir Salman, who plays Zaid, has also given a great performance bringing to life the youth which is raw and even scary at times, still bringing a softness of an elder brother who is protective of his young gay sibling.

Onir has captured the air, water, the landscape, the people who brilliantly as if the essence is bottled and comes to life when on screen. You are there, you are with them and you feel everything.

Brilliant!

Romance is in the nuances - giving a small chocolate to your lover, keeping an apple for him, sitting with him at the doorstep, gazing at him without saying anything.

Onir sets the movie in a background of a conflict zone - how it affects love, especially a queer one. How it manifests in real life - through the mundane and ordinary. At check posts, at small eateries. It's not in grand gestures, it is in small conversations and waiting. While a sense of dread and strain always persists because of the background, the butterflies don't go away.

The last scene of the movie with no dialogues, says so much, I wish more people watched it and talked about it.

I, Ms. Nitika Vohra, had the pleasure of watching "Faheem and Karun" at the Jagran Film Festival in Dehradun, Uttarakhand Region City, on 22nd February 2025, screening at SilverCity Screens.

"Faheem and Karun" is a poignant and thought-provoking short film that explores the complexities of human relationships with remarkable depth and sensitivity. Shot on location in the breathtakingly beautiful city of Kashmir, the film's stunning backdrop adds to its emotional impact.

With a runtime of just 1 hour and 21 minutes, the film packs a powerful emotional punch that will resonate with viewers long after the credits roll. The storytelling is nuanced and masterful, with well-developed characters that draw you in and invite empathy.

The dialogue is natural and authentic, revealing the intricacies of the characters' inner worlds. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the essence of the characters' emotional journeys through a thoughtful balance of light, color, and composition.

Each frame is carefully crafted to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere, fully immersing the viewer in the world of the film. The performances are outstanding, with the cast delivering authentic and heartfelt portrayals that bring depth and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, "Faheem and Karun" is a must-watch for fans of character-driven drama. It's a beautifully crafted film that explores themes of love, loss, and human connection with remarkable sensitivity and nuance.

The film's thoughtful pacing allows viewers to absorb the emotional depth of the story, making it a truly unforgettable experience. If you're looking for a film that will touch your heart and linger in your thoughts, "Faheem and Karun" is an absolute must-see.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who appreciates meaningful storytelling, outstanding performances, and stunning cinematography. "Faheem and Karun" is a true masterpiece that will leave you spellbound and inspired.