Khuda Kay Liye

This is one of the best..or in fact the best movies to come out of Pakistan in a long long time. Considering the perceived conservative situation prevailing in that country ,this is indeed a brave and laudable effort. The story surrounds the two brothers from Lahore and how their lives are affected by the after math of 9/11 crises. It also shows the travails of the England educated Pakistani girl Mary..who becomes an innocent victim of the skewed up logic or her hypo critic father. The two brothers are essentially music lovers, while one of them goes to US for furthering his musical education, the other one gets caught up in the teachings of fundamentalists Muslims and gives up his music. The girl Mary on the other hand is tricked into marrying in Pakistan when her father discovers that she has fallen in love with an English man. During the same time 9/11 happens and these educated persons fall prey to the adverse conditions surrounding them. The story of the film is remarkable as it clearly shows the aftermath of 9/11 crises on young educated Muslims. The movie picks up slowly with amateurish acting being done by some of the actors. But the story and smart screen play more than make up for it. In fact by second half one is riveted to his seat as the story takes it affect on you.There are quite a few great moments in the film but the one in which Mary tries to runaway from her captors in Afghanistan is especially heart rendering. Among the actors the lead actor Shaan and the actress playing Mary do a good job, but the final master stroke comes from the great Naseerudin Shah ,towards the end of the movie. Special mention must be made of the excellent back ground music of the film. It helps to convey the mood the film and stays with you even after the movie is finished. This is essentially a great film as it has its heart in the right place. It handles the issue of Islamic fundamentalism and the Muslim society with a humane touch without ever once going over the top. It takes a very objective view of the prevailing Pakistani society and should act as an eye opener for the western world. Finally being an Indian, anything concerning Pakistan is always of some interest to us,may be good or bad. At least for me this was a great eye opener. I came to realize that many of us Indians have totally false image of the society in Pakistan. This film show what a great country Pakistan is and the people in both country share the same values of peace and love at heart. The film also shows the importance of creative freedom for a society and hats off to Shoiab Mansoor,the director of the film for coming up with such a masterpiece!!!.

A powerful script has been an enigma to Pakistani cinema for more than two decades now. Once this industry was ruled on the basis of powerful writing but this art was long forgotten until now. Shoaib Mansoor has worked really hard on the script, though there were a couple of loose ends to the script but the captivating second half keeps you at bay from anything lacking. Shoaib Mansoor; the director, has worked with quite a few D.O.Ps for this film and it clearly shows as the continuity is broken several times but all this can be ignored, thanks to some brilliant acting by Shaan and Naseerudin Shah. Fawad and Iman has done a commendable job given that it was their first film. There were some technical glitches as well but again nothing unforgivable. The film carries a very important message about not to stereotype things and also confronts the world to the fact that Islam is not about fanaticism. A religion cannot teach terrorism and Islam is no different it only teaches you love peace and submission. Islam means submission and how can submission be violent. The film confronts many ironies about the religion and is very well scripted. A definite watch for everyone, be it Muslim, Muslim Lover or hater!

An excellent production by an extremely talented writer & director. I am a Pakistani living in the UAE, living in harmony with lots of Indian friends here. I watched this movie on its very first day of release here and found it much well presented than expected.

Some ideas are debatable but it is a positive sign that people are now bringing up the issues which were thought to be entirely forbidden in Islam although not proved as forbidden. It shows the real issues in our Pakistani homes, like the issue of Hijab for an aged mother and the people living with double standards in life!

The same thing happened to my fiancé & cousin when he turned towards such fundamentalists and rejected all of our family as he thought we were not practising Muslims. Then he got married with a lady Mujahida who is a preacher as well and they are happily settled!! Well, this is the reality and we have to face all this. This film was also made by the director for his famous pop singer friend Juned Jamshed ( Vital Signs Group), who turned away from music and now has become a staunch supporter of preaching and Islamic Tableeghi Jamaat.

I hope this film will start a revolution of CRITICAL THINKING among Muslim masses around the world, which has been non-existent for the last few centuries.This means not only to believe what you listen but ask questions to yourself too and listen to your conscience, which is always encouraged in Islam.

It may also send the message across the border for our Muslim Indians to be positive about their religious identity , as in both the countries, Muslims are suffering from the same crisis. May God show us all the right path. Amen

"In the name of God" or "Khuda kay liye" portrays the dilemma that every Muslim living abroad and at home faces in present time. It is also an internal war between the moderates and fanatics apart from the outside battle they are fighting within their own world. Frustrated and victimised by generalisations and self righteousness from the fanatic religious groups and authorities both of which lack a deep understanding of how cultural values and religion both entwine to make up Muslims. While not without faith the moderates seem to be paying highest price for this war on terror. How does a moderate Muslim survive this war? What happens when there is clash of fundamentalism.

PROS: Well knit story, although the editing is a bit choppy at times, good cinematography, good script, very true to reality and good acting by Rasheed Naz, Naeem Tahir, Shaan, newcomer Fawad Khan and of course the one and only Naseer ud din Shah. The film leaves you with questions which is more than any Pakistani film has ever done.

CONS: While this film has made big leaps into bringing Pakistani Cinema on the map of the International Cinema. I just think that a little bit of attention to detail would have made it an exceptional film by international standards e.g. Shan could have lost more weight while in the cell, he still looks like he is working out for a marathon. Iman's British accent is a bit funny. Still a brilliant film and better than most bollywood films because it sticks close to reality and deals with very relevant and sensitive issues.

Note: I just wish that they would have released it in other countries especially in the gulf simultaneously as it would have attracted a larger more empathetic audience than Pakistan. Let's hope it does well in the international film festivals.

I'm not going to say much for now even though i have much comments about this film after i watched it 3 days ago.

all i will say you must watch it your self,whether you will agree with whats in it or not,this movie it tore heart apart, but i prefer to postpone all for now i want to say about this movie -for now- my critical point of view is not imp now what i want to say for now is,guys this movie has already won an award in my country in Egypt we have the international Cairo film festival and by the way this film festival is recognized abroad within the 12 approved international film festival it has won the 2nd award. that adds one more reason why you should watch it.