Son of Pakistan: Breaking stereotypes

Jarrar Rizvi’s latest venture is scheduled to be released on December 15.

LAHORE:

After several long delays, Jarrar Rizvi’s film Son of Pakistan is set to be released across Pakistan on December 15. The film, which portrays the police as heroes rather than a corrupt and inefficient arm of the state, was originally slated for an April 1 release.

Dressed in a long brown coat and a white T-shirt that read ‘Son of Pakistan’, Rizvi looked relieved at the Metropole cinema, Lahore, as the cast appeared for a photo shoot. The cast of the film includes Babar Ali, Meera, Sana Nawaz, Shamil Khan, Laila, Babrik Shah, Sila Hussain, Alam Khan, Laiba Khan, Rehmat Ali, Shafqat Cheema, Laila Zuberi and Ghulam Mohyuddin as well as some new actors.

Rizvi explains that the film had been delayed due to technical issues as the post-production had to be shifted from Bangkok to India. However, despite the long and tedious four-year process, Rizvi feels that the issues addressed in Son of Pakistan are contemporary and progressive. “This film will be important because it addresses issues that cannot be taught or discussed in a classroom setting,” says Rizvi. Hence, Son of Pakistan aims to tackle issues of terrorism and violence. The plot of the film is based on nationalism and whomever follows the theme works for the betterment of the country is a son of the soil.

The real hero?

Rizvi further adds that the concept of Son of Pakistan was to promote a better image of Pakistani policemen. “For years, the film industry has promoted gangsters as heroes; we now have to show the world a peace-loving Pakistan,” says Rizvi. “Look at Indian films; most of them make the police officer a hero. We have to understand that a hero can only be a person who guards the law, no one else.”

Alam Khan is making his debut in Lollywood through this movie. “Although I received many offers before as well, but I was waiting for the right time and the right script. Son of Pakistan is a different film and is something I can relate to.”

Alam and Shamil will play the roles of police officers while Ali depicts the role of a religious extremist. Mohyuddin, on the other hand, will enact the role of a Sikh in the film while Meera and Sana play the police officers’ wives. The film has an upbeat soundtrack that includes catchy bhangra tracks as well as romantic ballads.

However, all’s not rosy for the production team, who has constantly received threats, due to the political nature of the film. “Making such a film was seen as threat, considering the current situation of the country. It took us four years to complete,” says Alam. However, he adds the audience will enjoy the film as it is a complete package. “We even received a positive response by the censor board.”

Proud Pakistani

Dressed in a red overcoat, famed actor Nawaz said that there were few Pakistani films that actors could be truly proud of and Son of Pakistan is one of them.

Meanwhile, Hussain emphasised that Son of Pakistan is a film that could be watched and enjoyed with family. “There is no cheap action and none of the women have worn revealing clothes,” says Hussain. “Son of Pakistan is a source of pride.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2011.