In Pakistani cinema, films centred around sports are rare, which is a bit peculiar considering the immense passion and enthusiasm for sports, particularly cricket, in the country. Surprisingly, only a handful of films, such as "Main Hoon Shahid Afridi" and "Shah," have explored this sub-genre. However, in across the border, we can recall many films that are based on cricket right from Awwal Number to Jersey, Azhar, M.S. Dhoni and Iqbal to recently released Ghoomer. What these films basically worked on was that the two factors that make a good sports drama, sports excitement and a human story must be well connected to each other.
Recently, a debutant director, Umair Nasir Ali, ventured into the realm of sports drama with the release of Nayab. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Yumna Zaidi, M. Fawad Khan (Pyari Bitto), Javed Sheikh, Ehteshamuddin, and Adnan Siddiqui in significant roles.
Crafting the script for a sports drama is no easy feat, demanding a compelling narrative and impactful dialogues to evoke the passion of the audience. Moreover, the scenes need to be written in a way that effortlessly draws out emotions in favour of the protagonist. The credit for the script of the film goes to Ali Abbas Naqvi and Basit Naqvi. The duo had also written Laal Kabootar which was quite a breakthrough film for Pakistani cinema.
Now, the question arises — what does this movie have in store for its viewers? Let's find out.
Nayab isn't your typical sports drama; instead, it delves into the aftermath of tense situations in Karachi following the terrifying episodes staged by the umbrella term ‘namaloom afraad’ across different parts of the City of Lights. The film sheds light on how dreams can be shattered,how hopes can bloom, and the struggles faced by middle-class individuals trying to make ends meet.
In addition to these themes, the film introduces a cricket enthusiast, a young girl, who, under the guidance of her elder brother, passionately pursues her love for the sport. Despite facing rejection and reluctance from their father, she manages to find a way to join a cricket camp. Nayab's journey is one of ambition, as she navigates challenges and attempts to reconcile her dreams with familial expectations. Along the way, she discovers unexpected support from Akber, shaping a tale of resilience and family, as she strives to achieve her future goals.
However, that is only one aspect of the narrative; there is a significant amount of drama as well. Multiple characters are engaged in their own battles—struggles for survival, pursuing dreams, protecting their loved ones, and seeking peace, among others. The director attempts to infuse various emotions and transitions swiftly from one setting to another, but at snail pace making the story drag and become unnecessarily lengthy.
Moreover, some lingering questions remain unanswered for the audience. For example, the unsolved mystery surrounding the impact of Akber's uncle's death on his sports career raises queries that have not been addressed.
The film that could have been easily trimmed to 35-40 minutes for a tighter and more gripping narrative, scenes, and storytelling, heavily relies on the performance of theatre actor M. Fawad Khan. The actor is truly a delight to watch. Portraying Akber, also known as Aqqa, he brings an unusual energy of the purest artistic form that resonates with the audience. Most men will find a connection with him – his decision-making, his unwavering support for his family, his sacrifices, and his ability to bring smiles to his loved ones' faces in the toughest situations of life are all commendable.
Only an actor with a complete understanding of the character and the finest traits of the roles can deliver such a performance. There are a few noteworthy scenes where he stands out include a confrontation with his father at a mechanics' shop and a poignant moment when he leaves his father's house, reminiscent of a scene from "Aankhon Dekhi," handled with great maturity. In the film, this scene is impactful and close to reality, likely bringing tears to viewers' eyes. Additionally, in a scene where his younger sister lashes out at him, his expressions speak volumes. M. Fawad Khan deserves more substantial roles, as he has the potential to be among the top actors for content-driven films.
Ehteshamuddin is another actor who delivers his role with great conviction. There are very few actors who possess the ability to adapt their mannerisms and body language according to the demands of their characters, and Ehteshamuddin is one of them. Despite his short-lived role in the film, his performance, dialogues, and portrayal of the character leave a lasting impact.
Javed Sheikh puts forth a sincere effort, portraying a father deeply concerned for the lives and future of his children, injecting vitality into his character. Particularly noteworthy is the scene where he shares about the time spent with his son and confesses to not having many good memories, beautifully enacted by him. He makes the most of subtle gestures effectively. While there are instances where he may go slightly overboard, on the whole, this stands out as one of Sheikh's mature and fine performances.
In her debut film, Yumna Zaidi is given a role that could have propelled her to the pinnacle of success, but unfortunately, that's not the case. Despite playing the titular character, she struggles for proper projection and lines that would make her character memorable. While a well-known name in Pakistan's drama industry, her on-screen charisma seems to fade on the silver screen. The conviction and mannerism falter as a whole.
One major hurdle for her character is her physique. In a sports-based film where movements are crucial, the actor and cricker Sana Taj, portraying the character of Beena, outshines her — both in attitude and moves. Zaidi fails to convincingly portray a sports enthusiast, marking a significant drawback for the film.
The audience expects a lot from an actor of Adnan Siddiqui’s caliber, who is wasted in the role of the coach. has proved his mettle in different productions, and if a strong character like his is not given some whistle-worthy or high-octane lines, it’s quite a disappointment.
As a whole, the movie grapples with its excessively long runtime, leading to a loss of impact at various junctures. The first half feels more like a TV drama, with multiple scenes strung together to pave the way for the interval, which also lacks a significant high point. The anticipation for the second half, with a surprise element, is noticeably absent.
Post interval, the film stumbles from one point to another, stretching and dragging to the extent that audiences may begin to feel bored. Akber's sequences become lengthy and ineffective, which could have been condensed for a more gripping and impactful experience. The inclusion of songs in the film appears largely unnecessary. The romantic track between Nayab and her love interest feels somewhat unwanted, warranting a reduction in screen time for a more streamlined narrative.
The climax of the film is hurried, rushed and comes as an unbelievable shock. The scene takes you somewhere that is least expected and that is another drawback of the film. It leaves its audience unsatisfied.
Interestingly, whenever a sports-themed film is produced, it typically includes scenes that prominently feature the sport itself. However, in Nayab, there are very few scenes that showcase cricket-related activities, and unfortunately, they fail to make a significant impact. The scattered placement of these scenes throughout the film contributes to their lack of prominence. This is primarily due to below-average execution and overall ineffectiveness.
Even in the segment where the training camp is show-cased, the focus is diverted by players engaging in drives, spending nights at friends' houses, romantic scenes, and various other distractions. This diversion from the core theme of cricket is where the actual problem lies. A film centred around cricket should ideally feature compelling scenes related to the sport, creating excitement for the audience, and this is an aspect that this film appears to lack.
The film is more like an extended version of TV drama, or something that would have been more suitable for OTT platforms. From the framing to the scenes’ setup and from the sequences to the execution, Nayab does not give a feeler of the film. With crisp direction and lesser run time the film could have been a little more engaging. There are flaws in the story and hiccups in the overall venture, but those who admire great performances will enjoy watching M. Fawad Khan and those who are fans of Yumna Zaidi and want to watch her on silver screen might find the film entertaining. Otherwise, the film does not offer any dialogue that bear recall value, there are no repeat-value songs and the narrative is drowsy. Go for Nayab if you value drama more than cricket, as this film has lots of that.
Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui is an avid movie buff, and film and drama critic and a digital inbound marketer. He tweets @shafiqulhasan81
All information and facts are the responsibility of the writer