Dekh Magar Pyaar Say: A scatty and mediocre cliché

It definitely lacks that particular punch which leaves viewers with strong memories of the movie.

Muhammad Omar Iftikhar August 17, 2015
Dekh Magar Pyaar Say, directed by Asadul Haq and starring debutant Sikander Rizvi and his leading lady, Humaima Malick, will keep the audience spellbound because of the directors’ cinematic prowess. The movie also showcases great shoot locations, such as Lahore and London.



However, along with adding scenic beauty in order to add production value to the movie, a movie must also have a strong plot and a story to keep it moving forward. Unfortunately, Dekh Magar Pyaar Say could not score full marks when it comes to the plot, but it is good enough to be called an average and watchable movie, though it definitely lacks that particular punch which leaves viewers with strong memories of the movie.

Photo: Dekh Magar Pyaar Say official Facebook page

Photo: Dekh Magar Pyaar Say official Facebook page

Although the story was decent enough and was a good attempt and adds another feather in the crown of the recently revived Pakistani cinema, the plot isn’t top notch, but it does keep the characters and the situation glued together until the end.

If you are interested in sights and sounds of cities, then Dekh Magar Pyaar Say is a must watch movie and I personally feel the production can stand tall on an international level. Therefore, it is a thriving attempt and the entire crew must be applauded for their efforts. Choosing Lahore as one of the locations to shoot the movie adds a romantic appeal to it, for Lahore boasts of love and has a rich cultural history. Moreover, the energy of Lahore creates a mystic effect that captivates the viewers into its charm.

Photo: Dekh Magar Pyaar Say official Facebook page

While there may be a number of factors which make a movie an interesting watch, the wardrobe worn by the leading actors also increases the viewer’s interest. In Dekh Magar Pyaar Say, one of the leading fashion icons of Pakistan, Hassan Sheheryar Yasin, creates magic with his selection of wardrobe for the cast. The movie is a complete one from all aspects. It has a nice story, is shot at simple locations but with historical values, the actors present their acting skills in the best way possible, the soundtrack adds value to the movie, and the movie does take the Pakistani cinema to a new level.

Photo: Dekh Magar Pyaar Say official Facebook page

However, I personally believe that the story lacks, at most parts, the enthusiasm to keep the viewer’s glued to the screen. Even though both Humaima and Sikander came together to become a charismatic on-screen couple, Humaima did over-act in some scenes. Apart from a handful of such scenes, her acting was uncluttered, focused, and well-balanced with debutant Sikander’s onscreen persona. Even though Sikander made his acting debut, he seemed comfortable while sharing the screen with Humaima and his acting skills are more refined than one could have expected. Moreover, there was mediocrity in the plot and some parts didn’t make sense because it felt they were added by force and not by will.

With Pakistani cinema’s revival, we must appreciate the efforts of the movie’s director, producer, and scriptwriter Asad, Ali Murtaza, and Saba Imtiaz, respectively. The sights and sounds shown in the movie are colourful and present a life that is closer to reality.

The soundtrack also has a desi touch to it, which emphasises the romantic and emotional side of the movie. Songs including Tasveer, I am Sweetie and Kabhi Kabhi are written and composed beautifully while Kaala Dooriyan is a groovy song that will make you tap your feet with the tune. The movie was said to be a romantic comedy, however, you must watch it to know if it really was one or was there a twist in the story when you least expect it.





With Asad’s insights on directing, and Nic Knowland’s cinematography, the scenes executed will be a source of inspiration for other Pakistani directors. While some parts of the movie did come off across as clichéd and others had a déjà vu feeling, the movie does stir emotions within the audience and will keep the audience wondering how it will end.

Such hiccups in the plot may have washed away the crew’s efforts. However, the songs, Sikander and Humaima’s chemistry, and the locations saved the movie and eventually brought a smile to the viewer’s face. In terms of script writing, it was written pretty well, despite the movies shortcomings. However, even with a clichéd romantic story, Dekh Magar Pyaar Say is a breath of fresh air and brings a new face in the form of Sikander Rizvi and a new director, Asad.
WRITTEN BY:
Muhammad Omar Iftikhar The author is a freelance writer and blogger and writes for various English dailies of Pakistan. He tweets @omariftikhar (https://twitter.com/omariftikhar)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (2)

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Watched it today.......the boys handsome, the girl pretty, Lahore selectively looks good........Marks : 5/10.
Aqsa | 8 years ago | Reply Its good to read your words Omar Iftikhar. Keep writing! It will help a lot in my up coming project! :D
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ