Bol

Sometimes the prevalent brutality of reality subdues our senses for long enough to declare barbaric actions as legitimate. Barbaric laws as legal necessities. Allow this status quo to brew and grow for generations and centuries and it results in a stymied populace perpetually terrorizing itself through doctrinal teachings that classify and rank human beings. Bol not only rejects the age-old foundations for grading humans based on gender, but provides inspiration to a self-terrorized society about the beautiful possibilities that emerge if we choose to speak up and break the shackles inherited from the past.

Shoaib Mansoor (Shoman) knows how to paint a story in all its hues without losing the end picture if you will. His previous works are a homage, a reverence and a celebration of dance, poetry, music and art. His foray into film with Khuda Kay Liyay gave the impression that Shoman was not content with making great music or entertaining television serials. He wanted to take on a society that was increasingly duplicitous and constantly bending to the whims of obscurantism and willing to bury its beautiful heritage. With Bol he has again come out all guns blazing. Shoman isn't merely showing the mirror to society but goes for the jugular in a nihilist barrage against a decadent order represented by Hakim Syed Shafqatullah played by Manzar Sehbai.

Shafqatullah's inherited but hopelessly dwindling business in herbal medicine in an era where exposure to medical science had won over the sick contrasts with his attempts to maintain a secluded, pure existence at home. His daughters cannot leave home much less work. However, his unmet desire to father a male child infuriates him and the frustration is taken out against the females of his household.

In many ways it is a reflection of contemporary Pakistani Muslim society which cannot cope with the brutal truths of science and seeks remedies in the shrubs of faith. When that doesn't work economically weak individuals, groups and minorities are made scapegoats and used to create a mirage of power for the majority.

But this is a movie, not a post-modern feminist narrative. Furthermore, it is a Pakistani movie in an era when desperate attempts to resuscitate the film industry have yet to deliver results. Shoman continues to carry this national burden along with his socio-political message inserted in an entertainment medium. How does a single director take up these challenges within a three hour time frame while not losing the audience? Enter Shafqat Cheema playing the role of Saqa Kanjar from the Old Lahore red light district where moral standards are turned head over heals with female children valued and males seen as a burden. Apart from infusing the film with heavy doses of comical entertainment, the character simultaneously sets up as the foil to Hakim Shafqatullah. While the preference for female children as future money earning prostitutes offer a resounding contrast, it also highlights the middle-class urban religious moral standards where women are only be perceived in two categories: either as heavenly pure or slutty whores. These extreme ends give comfort to morals of mortals. So Syed Shafqatullah can digest sleeping with a dancing girl but refuses to allow his daughters to find a clerical job since that would be morally confusing.

Today's Pakistan is society in a flux where everyday honor killings have become an acceptable norm. The demonic of codes of honor have become the moral standards which need to be met for living a dignified life. Thus, Saifi, the eunuch child of Shafqatullah, meets a fate often read in the headlines of daily papers. Shoman deliberately refuses to grant audience the ease of moral extremes and constantly forces them into the gray unknowns of life where the purity of human emotions and desires prove to be more resilient and worthy of admiration than edicts and mechanical structures of faith. When Humaima Malik declares she has committed murder, but not sinned, we are forced to question the concepts of crime and punishment in theological jurisprudence. The sequence of sin equaling a crime necessitating punishment is broken. A sin may not be a crime, and so negating the need for punishment.

There are several flaws one can point to in the film. Atif Aslam's role was under-utilized. Cinematography was weak. At times Humaima's dialog turns preachy and may have been better and more powerful if left unsaid - but then again, the title of the movie suggests otherwise.

Shoman's ability to hit the nerves sets him apart from from many a famous director and script writer. He could achieve far greater success and fame if he stuck to merely entertaining audiences. But Shoman uses cinema with all its potential to plant the seeds of change. Khuday Kay Liyay was one of the three most successful films of all time. To this day, its music and message cause headaches as they confront the conservative orders of society. Bol goes several steps further. Sometime from now, the National College of Arts or other institutions teaching film studies, will be analyzing these films that carry within them both the analysis of a nation as well as a positive vision for the future.

The movie was really an experience and the type that lingers on long after you have left the theatre. I must admit that this is Pakistani cinema at its best. On one hand the movie effortlessly touches upon social issues prevailing in any society and on the other the acting by everyone in the movie is par excellence. There were numerous moments in the movie when we had tears in our eyes and quite a few when we couldn't control our laughter.

I would also like to mention that the references to Tendulkar and Meena Kumari are really note worthy and the director/producer deserves applause.

Please do see the movie if you are a connoisseur of good unadulterated cinema.

The movie Bol is Shoaib Mansoor's second dramatic breakthrough of revealing life with its complexities. After 'Khuda Kay Liye', that went on to win several local as well as international awards, in Bol you can see Atif Aslam as Actor with Iman Ali, its another gripping story authored by him. A story that shows the realities of life very closely in typical shoaib mansoor's style.

The movie is as much emotional story as we can say Bol is a roller coaster of emotions, yet carries subtleties that make your heartbeat stop. Atif aslam is a good touch but seriously i don't like him and think acting is not his thing.

To watch or not to watch the film is not a question. You just have to watch it. Pakistan doesn't make films like this one everyday.

When I was walking into the theatre, I didn't think the movie was going to be very memorable, but I was wrong. The movie hits hard and is a roller coaster ride of emotions. Humour was present to break the seriousness of the film and make the movie even more enjoyable. The acting was pretty convincing with the exception of Atif Aslam. The film direction was superb and so was the story. I heard many say that the movie consisted of too many different plot lines and controversies, but I believe Shoaib Mansoor did a great job tying all loose ends and making the plot solid. It was a HUGE step forward from "Khuda key liye". Shoman does indeed learn fast. The camera work and the sound was astonishingly better than it's predecessor. It was also pretty much entirely based on the elements of realism. It surfaced plenty of tragic, but existing, traits of the lower class society in Pakistan. The movie was thoroughly engulfing. Shoman did, indeed, work his magic yet again! An amazing movie which depicts all that is wrong with the Pakistani society! It's a must watch for everyone!

There is no doubt that. It was almost perfect in everything. Its even one of the best movie I have ever seen. Only a few can be considered better than this (and, of course, all from Hollywood).

I bet this movie will do great business if they manage to release to a larger audience in India, middle east, UK and USA. This should at least be nominated for Oscars. I am proud for what Shoaib Mansoor has done for lifting Pakistan's name by his movies. He is a true legend. His work for media industry has been tremendous and luckily he was awarded for his work by Sitar-e-Imtiaz, even before he made his two movies.

No soul in Pakistan should deprive themselves for watching this movie in theater.