- 17 Jun 2011
Is all well with Bol? - 01 Jun 2011
Bol’s music: A surprising disappointment
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Bol premieres in Karachi
Audience express mixed reviews about the year’s biggest movie.
Shoib Mansoor’s film finally premiered in Karachi to mixed opinions. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY
KARACHI:
On June 19, the deserted Zaibunnisa street came to life when celebrities and media personnel arrived in hordes and struggled to find parking spots near Atrium Cinemas. Subsequently, they made their way to the cinema for the much-awaited premiere of Bol — the biggest venture in Pakistani entertainment this year. Those who randomly tried to wander into the cinema thinking that they could buy a ticket to the event, were sorely disappointed since it was an invitation-only affair.
The film’s opening was a savvy event. A long red carpet paved the way to Atrium and as a prelude to the film; a separate partition had adorned with huge posters of Bol. Upon entering the premises, all the guests had to pass through a series of stringent security checks. The organisers were smart for being meticulous about security arrangements — since Shoaib Mansoor’s films have a tendency to touch on controversial subjects.
Some celebrities thought that they could avoid the routine security checks because of their star power. Yet much to their chagrin, this was not the case. Even high-profile celebrities like Ahmed Jahanzeb and Humayun Saeed had to pass through the same security clearance as everyone else.
The management must be commended for starting the film punctually, in fact they were so punctual that a number of people didn’t even realise the movie had begun and missed the first few minutes. Bol premiered to a full house in all the cinema halls at Atrium. Yet the people, who had excitedly entered that cinema hall, had mixed reactions when they exited.
An elderly man appeared overwhelmed as he shared his view on the film. “I think it is a really good film and I am sure it will definitely get a number of awards and a lot of recognition in the West,” he commented emphatically.
But 24-year-old Faiz, who had watched the movie on someone else’s pass, had a different opinion. “My entire struggle of procuring the pass and getting in the cinema was a waste. I am disappointed — the movie is very run-of-the-mill stuff”.
After the premiere, I spotted Humayun Saeed — one of the most famous faces of Pakistani drama serials — who was ostensibly trying his best to stay away from the media. Yet, I managed to get a comment from him. “The script is really good and I think the director has tackled the issue very nicely and the message comes across to the audience,” Saeed said politely.
I also managed to get hold of the hilarious TV host Mani, who, I was sure, would not hesitate to frankly express his views about the film. “First of all this is not a film, this is a two-and-a-half hour telefilm. We have been watching this stuff on TV for ages now and filmmakers should realise that the masses want entertainment and not social messages,” Mani commented in dismay.
People expressed mixed reviews about Bol, but only the film’s box office record will reveal its standing after it hits cinemas nationwide on June 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2011.
Reader Comments (18)
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The expectations were huge from this movie and keeping them in mind, the modest response at premiere predicts that the expectations have not been fulfilled! i am still waiting for a critical review and the reception by audience on 24th!Recommend
Mr mani, social problems should not be addressed only when social problems ARE GONE FROM THE SOCIETY, stupid comment by mani!Recommend
Sorry..mani is not hilarious! And the Pakistani masses need entertainment with social messages..not half clad Indian actresses doing provocative dance moves on their cinema screens!Recommend
“First of all this is not a film, this is a two-and-a-half hour telefilm. We have been watching this stuff on TV for ages now and filmmakers should realise that the masses want entertainment and not social messages,” Mani commented in dismay.
Who told that social messages can’t be put in an entertaining manner? Mass will obviously appreciate item numbers and unrealistic romance and action as that have been fed to them for years. Given the fact that human mind is programmable, it’s onus to good directors to create meaningful movies against all odds and change the mindset. Not necessarily it need to be a parallel cinema but it can be done in an entertaining and commercial way as well.Recommend
Sorry..Mani is not hilarious!! And the Pakistani masses need entertainment with social messages..definitely not half clad Indian actresses doing provocative dance moves on our cinema screens! We seriously can do without.Recommend
I think Mani is right.Recommend
Social Messages can be potrayed thru entertainment cause its difficult to grab attentions for 2-3 hours….however even on those standards the film dissappointed me..Recommend
@Ammar: Then you can watch all those senseless Bollywood movies with item numbers. There are plenty of those and you won’t get bored. You will be ‘entertained’ for a long time! Don’t comment here.Recommend
film sucks and the worst part was the boy being left with truck drivers to learn “art” and they rape him. mani is rightRecommend
This is not a film , this is real life of pakistani society , shoaib sab is legend for real stories .
Muhammad Asif . BOL production manager (mani shani is not actor or host ) Recommend
And who is Mani…????
Has he been in showbiz for 30 years,
Unkahi , 50-50 , Silver Jubilee , Sunehray Din , geetar , Gulls and Guys , Alpha Barvo Charlie , Supreme Ishq 1 and 2 and Khuda Kay Liay 2008…This is Shoaib Mansoors profile…
What Mani has done……!!! Nothing to write home about….so how can he ridicule a legend….
If mani is not serious about life then that is not our problem………..
lastly……we would be better off with a relative flop from Shoman than stupid antics of Mani who is neither actor nor host….bye the way what is he doing on TV…?? Mani is certainly not a Moeen Akhtar or Umar Shareef….he can not even read written jokes in a funny manner…..let alone break jokes wittedly………..!!!!!!Recommend
@ Asif:You did a bad job.Recommend
Guys! no doubt Shoaib Mansoor is legend I think that is enough to say what a wonderful film is BOL going to be…. but MANI who…???? who is that ..? Recommend
@Sakht Khurdra:
why every one has problem with Mani??????/its his own opinion…..if you like the movie then you can discuss it as per your opinion…..i guess this article is about the premier of Bol movie not about the criticism on mani so stick to the point and share your opinions regarding films instead of criticizing mani Recommend
@Sakht Khurdra:
he is on the TV since around 10 12 years just because people likes him…..TV is not only the property of only a specific class..it is for all class…some one likes his comedy some one not…….this is totally a senseless comment that what he is doing on TV……this is totally a foolish thing if you compare him with umer sharif or moin akhter…..these guys gave decades of their life to art and after that they become icons….most of the sophisticated class doesn’t like the jokes of Umer sharif as they said these jokes are third class but majority likes him………so compare any actor with other is totally a foolish thing……..every one have their own quality and likeness or dislikes.He only give his comment because reporter cached him to ask about his views. if we will not appreciate our talent then no one will come to do the same………Try to be positive my friend…….Mani have their own views according to his taste but no doubt shoaib mansoor is an awesome director and he always brings new, unique and social issues in his movies so it might be a good movie.Recommend
It s a good movie and all the celebrities loved it nobody said it is not good infact nida yasir was crying after watching the movie and claiming that the movie was very touching!!i m sure it is a good movieRecommend
loved the movie. there was total silence when the movie finished followed by a standing ovation. brilliant movie, please go and watch it.I am sure you will not be disappointed…
hats off, mr mansoor!Recommend
A most commendable film! Hats off to Shoaib Mansoor.
Recommend