Bachaana: Another feather in our cap

With our local film industry upping its game with releases like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (2015), Ho Mann Jahaan (2016) and Manto (2015), Nasir Khan’s Bachaana is another feather in the cap. The newly released flick stars an ensemble cast of Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed and Adeel Hashmi in pivotal roles.

The movie starts with the introduction of Waqas aka Vicky (Mohib Mirza) who is a Pakistani working as a cabbie in Mauritius. Parallel to Vicky’s story is the story of a newly-wed Indian Muslim couple; Aalia played by Sanam Saeed and her husband Jehangir aka J played by Adeel Hashmi.

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Vicky bumps into Aalia and is hired by the newly-wed couple to drop them off to their hotel. Once the couples reaches the hotel and Vicky leaves, strange things begin to happen resulting in Jehangir asking Aalia to return to her country and then he disappears. While on her way to the airport, things take a twist and Aalia bumps into Vicky again.

What happens next is what Bachaana is all about. Watch it to explore!

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Performance wise, Bachaana stands tall on three pillars, Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed and the script. Mohib Mirza is undoubtedly the most dapper, relaxed and impeccable actor. He is perfect ‘movie material’. He knows he has the looks and uses them to his advantage.

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Sanam Saeed, being a very competent actress was the show-stealer here. As a lead heroin, she gave a stellar performance expressing multiple emotions flawlessly. She complements Mohib perfectly and Bachaana wouldn't be the same without her.

The third hero in the film is the script; the dialogues are fresh, witty and easy to relate to – keeping India and Pakistan’s humour and lifestyle in mind. Mauritius gave the film the exquisite edge of exotic locations that are breathtaking! On the downside, however, is Adeel Hashmi’s OTT acting. He started off with a smooth performance in the initial scenes but as the movie progressed his acting looked nauseatingly feigned. In his particular case, I think the director should have said,

“Adeel, act LESS!”

Photo: Bachaana - Official Facebook

Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza and Adeel Hashmi.Photo: Bachaana - Official Facebook

There are two major glitches in Bachaana that almost handicapped the movie. The fight scenes and chase sequences are half-cooked; they could have been a lot better. The music is just alright. It could have been better. The background score leaves more impact than the songs itself.

Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza.Photo: Bachaana - Official Facebook

Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza.Photo: Bachaana - Official Facebook

Bachaana does not have a thought provoking plot nor is it a movie with any message; it is a clean, simple, fun and lighthearted movie. It offers a few laughs, good acting and a witty script in a captivating tale. It’s not easy to get the audience engaged adequately with only three characters in a movie but Saad Azhar’s script is the powerhouse of the movie that kept me hooked. It will not be wrong to say that even prior to its release, Bachaana was among the most anticipated movies of Pakistan. To put it all in one line, Bachaana is a nice effort to introduce lighthearted cinema to the Pakistani audience.

I rate Bachaana a good three out of five. Go and enjoy it as downtime with your family.