Bol

Director                       Shoaib Mansoor

Cast                             Iman Ali, Mahirah Khan Askari, Atif Aslam, Shafqat Cheema, Humaima Malick, Manzar Sehbai, Mahnoor Khan, Hania Chima

Genre                          Drama

Year of Release           2011

The very essence of movie making other than the perceived entertainment value that most people look at, is the message that is passed on to millions of people who watch it.  As a journalist (I can only assume) tells Zainub (Humaima Malick) at the beginning of the movie, “Tumhein apni kahaani batana zaroori hai.  Is se shayad kisi ek ghar mein farak pade.  Aur agar is se hazaaron gharon mein farak pade toh kya badlav la sakte ho tum”. (You need to tell your story. It may make a difference to only one household.  But if it does touch a thousand households then imagine the difference you would be making). 

Bol is the story of Zainub who has been sentenced to death following trials at every single level of court starting from a low level sessions court to the Supreme Court of Pakistan.  She maintains her silence at all her trials.  Her last request for presidential pardon is also rejected.  However, she asks for and gets permission to tell her story live on national TV before she is hung to death.  Wierd. But given that there is no political motive behind it, the President allows it.

Bol touches upon several issues that it would seem have plagued not only our neighbours but also us in a big way.  The manner in which loads of people even today twist around the “word of the lord” as defined in religious scriptures is just appalling.  Even today, people consider child birth as a god given right or should I say “gift”. And even today, there is a marked desperation for a male child when you already have enough girls to take care of.  Not to mention that in several parts of the either country, even today, vasectomy / tubectomy are viewed as sacrilegious.  And then there is the ever taboo topic of homosexuality / effeminacy.  Lets not forget the time tested issue of inter caste marriages.  One would like to believe that these are issues restricted to the other side of the border but we would only be fooling ourselves in the bargain I guess.  Movies such as Bol only get them to the fore.  It is now up to us to think and act in a manner that is correct.

I was one of the few people who found Khuda Kay Liye a really bad movie.  And this is not because of my intrinsic desire to rebel.  I just found the performances to be really bad with the exception of Nasseer Bhai’s 5 minute monologue. Thankfully, Bol, turned out to be quite the opposite in terms of performances.  Humaima Malick hogs screen time alright but she is the central character – a little over the top at times but solid overall.  Manzar Sehbai in the role of the almost Hitlerian Hakim Sahib is quite superb.  The support cast, were distinctly less involved as compared to the lead actors but definitely up to the mark. 

What stands out from the first shot is Salman Razzaq’s cinematography which is superb.  The use of colours, light and sound are extremely effective.  What it could have done with is better editing (very badly edited I must say), some real emphasis on the make-up which was too unreal to believe and consistency errors which are a dime a dozen.  However, distinctly better effort at direction from Shoaib Mansoor.  He does pick up relevant issues and tries to communicate them in a manner that is perceived as acceptable by the Pakistani Censor Board – quite an achievement in itself I would say.  Average music and some really poignant scenes which can get you close to tears to round off what is overall a good movie.

Bol will leave you with a superb thought which Zainub screams out, “Sirf Marna hi jurm kyon hai.  Paida karna jurm kyon nahin hai” (Why is murder a crime and not giving birth?) – a concept which you will understand as you go through the movie.  Add this to your list of movies that definitely deserve a watch.  Makes you think.  7 on 10.

The trailer can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDCJzaRal3o