Film screening: ‘Sasti Masti’ is lots of fun

Ahmer Naqvi, a film school graduate, screens his thesis project at Kuch Khaas.

ISLAMABAD:

The juxtaposition of Lollywood and Hollywood serves as an interesting device to satisfy Pakistani film buffs. The short film Saasti Maasti revolves around a basic plot of how a rich kid kills a poor villager and how his daughter ends up exacting revenge.

However, there is more to the essence of the film than the mundane plot. “I wanted to explore what Pakistani audiences enjoy,” said Naqvi over a Skype interview, “It is imperative to understand the audience before making a mark on the film industry here.”

Although a relatively shorter film, the filmmaker’s talent surpassed that of most contemporary independent filmmakers around the country.

The plot is clichéd, but the representation of the Punjabi hero is spot on. The Sultan Rahi sensibility of the character falls in place with the exaggerated fight sequences and over-the-top choreography.

The cinematography and effects complement each other and entertain the audience. Naqvi stays true to his ideology and out-of-the-box thinking.

Even with a mediocre cast and subpar plot, the direction shines through. The film does not try to be more than it is. The effects and cinematography are impressive and the movie entertains.

It seems as if Naqvi can produce better films than the recent-released Slackistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2011.