I had some time to kill, so I decided to sit through this supposedly avante garde Lahore-made film. Guns and Roses is engrossing in parts, and is especially relevant to today’s turbulent times in Pakistan.
The plot, and you have to forgive the film makers for oversimplifying it for the less than urbane desi audiences, revolves around a certain Mafioso (Farooq Zamir) who’s sort of the hidden hand behind all the global conflicts. He decides to set his eyes on Pakistan and hires the ultimate terrorist (Shaan) to execute his plan. The two Interpol officers played by Faisal Rehman and Javed Sheikh are the good guys who decide to the confront the evil facing the nation. Oh, and while they’re at it, Faisal and Shaan get to cavort around Resham and Meera, respectively, as well.
Farooq Zameer speaks perfect english and makes even the blah dialogues sound epic. The scenes between Shaan and him are spectacular. Faisal Rehman also does rather well with whatever little screenspace he gets, his chemistry with Resham is awesome. Meera is best fast forwaded; her emotional scenes only evoke laughter.
Now this is a dark, edgy film. As edgy as Lahore made films can get. People die every second with ample splattering of blood and flesh. The heavy mood is complimented by a sombre (though lifted!) background score and intelligent lighting. The sets are stunning and would possibly look a million times better on a good print. Music and choreography are praiseworthy, though I can’t fathom why Meera was grooving to a ghazal-ish track. But then that’s Meera…
The only gripe I have is the very simplistic storyline. There are huge huge holes in the plot and to talk about them would be giving away the film. But to start with, why would the villain hire a terrorist to destroy a nation…isn’t it much, much more complex than that?
However, do watch it if only to witness the technicians of the Lahore industry test the limits of their age old machinery. The hard work that went into the film is clearly visible as some of the shots/angles are the kind never seen before in Pakistani cinema. Watch it here (Part 1) and here (Part 2).
^^ The film came out in 1998. Its almost hollywood stuff relative to the *Munda Bigra Jayay*s and the *Miss Istanbul*s that were being churned out 10 years ago.
Okay you've convinced me:) I am gonna watch it tonight. hope the link still works. Waisay I think Shaan is a SUPERB actor. It's unfortunate that he has to play sultan rashi-esque roles these days, but he always shines in well made movies. and he may be doing sucky roles in pakistani movies, but i respect the guy for not getting blinded by the bollywood bling bling. It's disgraceful the way pakistani artists are lining up for a one minute cameo appearance in Z-list indian movies:s
GOOO SHAAAAN!!!!
watching it!!! you are right Farooq Zameer is superb. I saw him in the movie Salakhain, he's a really fine actor. Didn't know his name though:) just knew his face from the PTV dramas:)
I tried... i really did, but after 30 minutes, i couldn't bear it anymore. I think i quit around the time, meera started her weird dance routine to a ghazal.
I tried... i really did, but after 30 minutes, i couldn't bear it anymore. I think i quit around the time, meera started her weird dance routine to a ghazal.
:) Hey, atleast you tried! This film seems to take a lot of its references from the kind of action flicks churned out by Hollywood in the 80s and early 90s, the kind of stuff Shaan probably grew up watching. The print is pathetic even by the (awful) Lahore Industry standards which really makes me wonder that if these film makers spend so much time, effort and money shooting a film, why can they not come up with a decent DVD print?!!! I'm pretty certain it would be quite watchable given they had a copy out which didnt look like someone spilled some dark coffee onto the 35mm while developing it in an ancient lab lol.