Zinda Bhaag

Zinda Bhaag will not win the Oscar. Not because it is not good enough, but because it is impossible for its nuance, humour and wit to be translated into English. The very thing that will make it a sensation in Pakistan and India will work against it at the Academy: its authentic voice that speaks loud and clear to and for the people that it represents.

When asked about the movie, co-director Meenu Gaur said, "We wanted to make a movie that we ourselves would like to go and watch in the theatre." Zinda Bhaag is a very distinct film that employs cinema verite along with Lollywood kitsch to create a strong narrative that is both entertaining and conscientious. It is a Punjabi film that takes pride in its heritage without compromising its integrity. With Zinda Bhaag, the Pakistani film industry embarks on its nouvelle vague while setting an entirely new standard for South Asian cinema. It is the quintessential representation of the existential crisis facing young Pakistanis. However, most importantly, the film addresses the dwindling middle class and the working poor. The film recounts the story of three friends trying to get out of Pakistan as narrated by Naseeruddin Shah's character Pehlwan, who happens to be the area godfather. In a country where gambling is prohibited by law but still quite rampant, young men are willing to gamble with their own lives in order to realise their 'American Dream'. Zinda Bhaag is a cautionary tale that somehow avoids being preachy.

Pakistani cinema has revived due to the lifting of restrictions against Indian films. As film is one of the most collaborative forms of art, without cross-border cooperation, nothing would have been possible. Art house cinema actor Naseeruddin Shah invested in the industry with his participation in several hit films. With his patronage and performance in Zinda Bhaag, the industry is indebted to Shah.

Farjad and Meenu derive stellar performances. Amna Ilyas plays the true 'hero' Rubina — a young, ambitious woman trying to earn an honest living in a corrupt nation. She sees the potential in Khaldi (played flawlessly by Khurram Patras) and tries to help him. In a brilliant tete-a-tete, which involves proverbs, hilarious Punjabi sayings and play on words, the entire structure of their relationship is revealed. The filmmakers pay a tribute to the industry by offering Naghma Begum the memorable role of a selfish mother pushing her children's buttons while consuming trash television.

Sahir Ali Bhagga's music is an essential element in the construction of the ebbs and flows in the film. Every song is deliberately woven and moves the narrative while layering it. How would the Oscar voters understand the foreshadowing of events and the multiple associations of "Par Chana De" where the conversation between Sohni and her ghara (clay pot) are not translatable? Punjabis, however, will be delightfully reintroduced to the kinship between cinema and literature, and enjoy the language of cinema once again.

Zinda Bhaag is the most beautiful and complex film to come from Pakistan in decades and proves that great storytelling does not need massive budgets or a Bollywood repertoire. This year Zinda Bhaag will run for a spot on the Oscar shortlist with the likes of other remarkable films like Omar, La Passe, Child's Pose, Cannibal, and Gloria. However, in the hearts of Pakistanis everywhere, when they see Zinda Bhaag, they already know it's a winner. Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2013.

What do you want to see in a movie? Flashy clothes? Glamour? Happily lived after kind of love story? Women in short dresses? Item number? Pure entertainment? If you want that all, You have come to wrong place Sonny. This movie isn't meant for you.

Zinda Bhaag is one of the sharpest dagger to pierce your heart to fill the reality of unsung heroes of poor families who risk everything to dream for better future, for them and their family. I am actually a big critic of current Pakistani movie scene. Similarly to our drama industry, films are more filled with pathetic action and unnecessary glamour. This is why I don't think movies like Zinda Bhaag do come often.

I really watched this movie with very firm grip that I would find just a tiny point to criticise it but I couldn't find it. It made me proud that at last this movie has broken all the stereotypes. A very moving and extra ordinary script.

Story of three poor and working class youths who are fighting to survive in this hellhole of poverty but also irrigating this mighty tree of hopes with their blood, the three on which their families are daydreaming. It has some veteran actors of PTV and star performer Naseer Ud Deen Shah from India but I will specially name Khurram Patras (Khaldi), Zohaib Asghar (Taambi) and Amna Ilyas (Rubina) for their fantastic performances. Zohaib Asghar is an hell of a find, who was previously working as a mobile phone salesman. The pain he depicts of a young man on his face, who's family has gone estranged over his failure to earn fortune is worth billions. Movie is partially in Punjabi movie which can hint that unnamed city is highly inspired from Gujrat or Gujranwala where its common for people to migrate west for jobs. Movie also has one of most original sound track. Sahir Ali Bagga is the man with all amazing stuff happens ever.

Best movie is past decade in my humble opinion. A movie which really unveiled class difference, broken promises, destroyed innocent wishes and reality of death.

Give me a favour, don't hesitate because of rating. Go for it please.

It is a movie about modern Pakistani Dream of the lower middle class youth. It simply shows the modern life in Lahore and peoples obsession of going abroad.(and I might add) It shows the everyday life quite beautifully.Like serials,snooker or planning...

The cinematography and the screenplay is quite modern or artistic(at least tries to be). Acting is the weak point mostly but Puhlwan will cheer you up.Writing is good and quite original.Some great old Punjabi Sayings spread around.Music is well used & captures the mood.

Overall It is a good movie with a deep message.With the amount of movies being made it becomes a must see!!

Zinda bhaag highlights the problems in our society that are especially faced by men and one problem that everybody knows going to abroad by unfair means.It tells the story of 3 different characters who are involved in such activities and what happens to them when they try to flee from Pakistan to Abroad for earning money.This is a very serious issue but when it comes to the execution part some one expects the film to be more strong than the script because its a huge responsibility to portray the script into a great visual treat and Zinda Bhaag fails to do so.Poor direction,weak screenplay and pathetic acting made me think that how can a movie like this is appreciated I still wonder how.Only one thing that I like is Naseerudin Shah acting who puts something into nothing but overall its a disaster.

Before even seeing this, the pressure was already one; submitted as Pakistan's entry for the Oscars (although it's not really the genre of film that wins that category), a star appearance from Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah and a hit soundtrack from Sahir Ali Bagga to boot- my expectations were very high. Fifteen minutes through the film I was reassured; the script is well written, making you empathise with the characters almost instantly and the narrative is perfectly timed. In my opinion this is much more relevant Pakistani film than say "Waar", because it's about people rather than stunts and action. Three star turns come from Khurram Pataras who is perfectly cast as Khaldi, supported by the equally excellent Zohaib Ashgar, whose character's insecurities and naivety make him immediately likable. The third friend is played by Salman Ahmed Khan and although less developed a character than the other two, it's another engaging performance. Both Naseeruddin Shah and Amna Ilyas of course turn in excellent performances, but for me it's the three friends who make the film what it is. This is exactly the kind of production Pakistan needs to be making; a serious topic light-heartedly portrayed with touches of ironic and black humour. In the much-touted "resurgence of..." tag that every new Pakistani film of the last 3-4 years seems to be labelled with, this one is wholly deserving of that accolade for simply trying and succeeding at doing something different. If you haven't seen this yet, you're missing out on one of the exciting slices of south Asian cinema released in the last year.