Kaptaan, a Pakistani production on the life of cricketer-politician Imran Khan, created a stir amongst Khan’s fans when the first trailer hit the small screen almost over a year ago. Anxiety grew about whether this film would ever make it to the big screen. As the wait was about to cross its threshold, an announcement regarding the film’s release dates was made on its Facebook page. A second trailer of the much-awaited film was released simultaneously to support the statement.
“Dear friends, we would like to begin with a long overdue apology we owe to our fans for not having the movie released or giving prompt updates regarding the film over time either,” read the post. The team explained there are numerous challenges independent film-makers face, not just in Pakistan but across the globe, and Kaptaan was no exception — indie film-makers are on a restricted budget and pool of resources.
“In the end, no matter what happens and no matter how hard people try to oppose us for their personal vested reasons — political or non political — we will never give up or stop,” the post continued. “Thank you all [for the support], whether you wished us well or you didn’t. May Allah have mercy on all of us.” The note ended with what the readers were hoping to hear, “The movie will be released this fall Inshallah — the exact dates will be announced later this month.”
Two trailers
The second trailer of Kaptaan differs from the first one and leaves the audience a little confused.
![](http://pullquotesandexcerpts.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/unfortunately.jpg?w=625)
The first trailer revealed an interesting aspect to ex-cricketer Khan’s life — his struggle to fame and how he became the legend he is today. The vibes it gave off suggested the story would be about how a champion was created. This sparked immense interest from the audience as Khan is a shining star as far as cricket is concerned. It was shared by people on social media and received attention from media locally and globally. Khan’s name was involved and Pakistan was about to take a major political turn as elections drew close.
The latest trailer is altogether distinct from the image painted earlier. It leaves the viewer perplexed as it now seems to be more of a boring narrative-documentary. If this was what the director intended then it worked out well. But the fact that it leaves the viewer confused and clueless as to what to expect from the production cannot be ignored. The music provided by Farhan Zameer however, is one interesting thing to have come out.
Unfortunately, the performances seem a little amateur and the documentary-style shots that have been incorporated in the trailer also seem to have been forced just for its release. If what is shown in the trailer is not depicted in the actual movie, viewers will be disappointed.
Let’s hope Kaptaan’s boat sails smoothly and the film releases in fall as the producers claim. It’s still doubtful as many of its contemporaries have failed to keep their promises of releasing films in the past.
For instance, a project called Kolachi, a post-apocalyptic take on Karachi, left the audience waiting — only released a trailer and no final movie. In fact, the producers decided to move on to their next project Seedlings (Lamha) and release that. While the movie won several international awards, for the Pakistani audience, it’s still just a trailer as distribution in Pakistan is now an issue.
Bilal Lashari’s Waar is another project which was left incomplete. They released a promising trailer almost two years ago but the movie is still in its production stages. Nasir Tehrany and Omer Ikram’s Naach is another case — Shaan is shown dancing in the trailer. While it wasn’t that impressive and didn’t receive a positive response, this doesn’t justify the fact that the film was never released. For the survival of the film industry in Pakistan and for it to maintain its credibility in the audiences’ eye, it’s pertinent that all these films are released regardless of how good they are.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2013.
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COMMENTS (19)
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The reason we do not succeed in Pakistan is not because we do not possess the talent and drive we fail as a country in all fields is because we are ready to tear each other. There is a dangerous element of jealousy not to see people or projects succeed.If we do not support each other then who in the rest of the world is prepared to support us?.
Just because it is made in a docu-drama style doesn't mean it has to be boring. Imran Khan is a legend in Pakistan, his life is legendary. I don''t it will be anything but boring.
I think this will the biggst bost up. If it is truely based on reality & Imran Khan's Life
Heard that the pubjab govt is trying their level best to make sure this film doesnt get released true?
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Shame on you for your stupidity and malice!
I am eagerly waiting for this movie, no matter what. Kindly bring some more updates on WAAR, Please.
PTI now beleives that "fair" elections can bring the desired drastic changes. Please some one make the point clear to me that how will status quo forces leave the country from thier clutches when they control 60%-70% constituencies (its my estimate which may be wrong) and 100% resources and policies.
Taking part in elections is good, but only a head-on party backed by strong organizational set-up, having no fear of electables or missing an election and having a well thought out policy can challenge the status quo forces.
In elections with "electables" having no organizational structure having fear of results of drastic actions, you have already lost the game. Now you are one of them.
Imran Khan Zindabad..... True Lion of Pakistan
Just like many of us have dreams and ambitions in life, Ch. Allah Dad's only goal in life is to bash Imran Khan and PTI. Keep it up Chaudhary Saab. At least you have one goal.
Go team Kaptaan. Waiting for the movie.
@Usama: @Bhatti: Allah Daad is a PMLN guy, his uncle became supervisor of local fuit market owing to his online support, so how he can write a possitive comment?
Khan deserve more then the movie because he is the one who has done more then enough that could be expected from one, Salute to you Imran Khan and many thanks for doing every thing what ever have done for the country.
ET can we have dislike button too please just like yahoo news? some people are so annoying:)
@Usama: Couldn't Agree more! This Ch. Allah Daad guy would hunt for articles related to imran khan all day long...& then when he finds them...he would try to ruin them with his never ending Negativity. I bet there will be comments from him, negative comments of course, whenever another article comes up on Imran Khan or PTI!
Waiting for its release for long. I still believe it should be released just before election. Imran Khan is our hero and legend.
@Ch Allah Daad: He did something atleast to deserve a movie, i suggest instead of leg pulling, go do something positive. There are enough pains in Pakistan already and the worst of it is due thankless pseudo intellectuals like you.
Just saw the trailer. There are some documentary type shots. But as a whole, it is not that bad as the article suggests. I think the movie scope has shifted to cover more of IK's political struggle and that part alone will be able to attract a lot of masses. I am so looking forward to this movie and WAAR.
There is nothing producer, director and story writer of this film can do. Khan's statements, ambitions and views change every day. Cricket and hospital are his big achievments but those have been already cashed by him. He has nothng in his bag to show to the world. Any documentary or movie post his cricket career is going to be a big flop, just like his political career. Therefore please don't waste your resources and our time.
I saw the first trailer. Looks cool with some stunning background music. Waiting for its release. Honestly, If I put myself in Imran Khan's shoes and imagine the kind of struggle he did and the adversaries he had to face in sports, in his philanthropic work and in politics, I would have simply given up long ago but then again I am no Khan, Imran Khan. His life, his efforts,the will and determination is an inspiration for many of us.
Who is going to watch his movie? Egoistic, proud, etc. At least I will not even watch his movie on pirated CD!