Kamli

Kamli surpassed all my expectations and the way it ends, uffff! It is intense, bold, haunting, exhilarating and even painful at times yet the most beautiful thing happened to Urdu Cinema.

So, finally we have a movie coming from Pakistan that is definitely worth a watch.

For a change, it is exactly what a usual average movie from lollywood has lately been. No music being pushed down audience's throats (in true bollywood style), not just a strached version of a tv play, hardly any perceptible masala mix (the usuall bollywood & lollywood formula), wardrobe & makeup that are a statement than what a character required and the list can go on.

Now that we are done with what "Kamli" isn't, let's talk about what it is. The movies carries an engaging story, a story with subtle and interesting twists, character development & music that suites a situation (except for one mehndi song, rest were so well gelled in & enhanced the story than stand out a forcedly introduced item number). Acting by the cast was superb. Sania Saeed being true to her art, was superb, and so were other members on the cast. Selection of location, wardrobe, sets (or setting at the shooting locations) and even makeup stood out for being way more realistic than what cinema in subcontinent usually offers.

All in all, a movie that was worth my time (& money)!

Kamli will transcend Pakistani cinema to new heights and will open the door for other filmmakers to work on serious subjects.

Saba Qamar is phenomenal at what she does, and in this film potraying the character of Hina - a women, whose husband Saqlain hasn't returned since last eight years, while she is roaming the valley of Soon looking for lover to quinch her thirst - audience will witness her seductive erotic gaze and the way she moves her body 'overflowed with powerful emotion.'

Sania Saeed as Sakina, the pious religious women but blind and still teaches Holy Quran to Children is brilliant in her performance. Nimra Bucha as Zeenat is an artist fighting her own inner demons and Omair Rana adds a flavor as her husband.

Son of Irfan Khoosat, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat.(director of Manto and Zindagi Tamasha) has proven once again that he is the artisitic face of cinema and only he can pursue independent craft.

Great direction, great performances, mesmerizing landscapes, amazing cinematography, impeccable dialogues, good storyline, and soundtrack creating soothing atmosphere.

This movie is one of those films that is very important for Pakistani cinema. Direction is top notch. Music excellent. Each and every song is a chartbuster. Acting amazing. Saba Qamar has outdone herself. This movie proves her acting capability as she is able to convey her feelings to the viewers just through her expressions. Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha are great as always. I hope this movie is a box office success so that we can have more movies like Kamli in the future.

Human frailties have many dimensions but when the source of these frailties is a woman who is on verge of mental illness then one can expect anything whether hallucination or encountering a paranormal. With his latest cinematic "mystifier" "Kamli" "Sarmad Sultan" is challenging common denominators with words that I'm not being easy to define my content rather I'm letting you to wonder about it.

Main lead "Saba Qamar" as "Hina" performs her assigned role with challenging requirements from the director in which she had to perform with more demeanor and expression but with lesser dialogues. And she performs with stupendous courage in an environment in which societal values are sensitive though caring of thin lines between societal values and arts is all up to director's awareness but still her portrayal as "Hina" is outstanding.

Debutante "Hamza Khuwaja" does not disappoint. Facing power house of talent like "Saba Qamar" in his first celluloid experience is not easy but he acted skillfully. His character as mysterious "Amaltas" dwindle us. As "Amaltas", is he an actual human being or some sort of paranormal creature like "Chalawa" who is alluring a woman who may be affected by some sort of mental illness because of absence of her long gone husband?

Portrayal of "Sania Saeed" as "Sakina" the blind elder sister of Hina's husband should be applauded massively. Her firm commitment to protect her "Bhabi" becomes tedious and grim even against tenants of Islam she strictly follows. But same time she has the full realizations that "Hina" is only person of her family she has. Her confrontation with "Saba Qamar" in penultimate stage uncovers big secret but again flow of tale leads to other mystery. "Nimra Buccha" plays a fragile character as "Zeenat" who is confronting her own frailty of child-less woman and finds her emancipation in "Hina" but in the end her character becomes as mysterious as "Amaltas".

Cinematography of "Kamili" is excellent but the full brownie points must be given to music directors of "Kamli" "Saad Sultan" and "Izzat Majeed". Their music compliments every frame and makes every shot eye candy and soothing to ears as well.

By and large "Kamli" is the best cinematic offering director like "Sarmad Khoosat" can give to Pakistani film industry.