If Pakistan has one ‘icon’ who is cherished by both the young and the old, men and women, it is most definitely cricketing star Shahid Afridi. While he was spending time in the nets at Harare to bring some consistency after his miraculous comeback to the Pakistani cricket squad, the makers of Main Hoon Shahid Afridi were all set to release the much-awaited, first-ever sports film.
The film released to quite a buzz on August 23. Afridi had a great start, both in Harare and Pakistan, but much like the signature Afridi form, performances on both sides flattened as time passed by, with the film still doing better than the all-rounder.
After almost a month into the film’s release, Afridi reached Atrium Cinemas on Thursday night to witness his own stardom. The whole entertainment industry put together doesn’t gather as much attention as he did alone, a fact evidenced by the swelling throngs that tailed him as he made his way to the show.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Afridi, who is a genuine movie buff (Karan Johar’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Gladiator are all-time favourites) felt the movie was just about satisfactory.
“There is nothing extraordinary about the film — it’s an okay film keeping Pakistani standards in mind, but in comparison to Bollywood, we are still way behind,” says Afridi in an exclusive with The Express Tribune. “I mean for a first-time film-maker, it’s an okay film. It is the word that best describes it but I appreciate the effort put in by Humayun and his team.”
Apart from the high-production value of MHSA, the movie is about what it takes to achieve one’s dreams and how difficult it is to pursue a career in cricket in Pakistan — an issue that Afridi believes was done complete justice to.
“The social issues are tackled very naturally [in the film] and I know people who have gone through similar problems. The environment of the dressing room and the team was very relatable. Even the kid who aspires to be me did a good job as an actor,” he says.
While he enjoyed actor Noman Habib’s performance amongst all others, Afridi was quick to point out a loophole in the film which most cinema enthusiasts failed to recognise — something quite personal to Afridi. “If the kid was so inspired by my life, career and personality, then how could he only bat throughout the film, and not bowl a single delivery? I mean, leg spin has always been my strength,” he says in amusement.
Prior to the release of the film, Afridi had expressed reservations regarding ‘obscene content’ in the film, especially the item number performed by Mathira. Some may have termed it a publicity stunt, but ironically nothing was edited out. “All I can say is that it is obscene, and that is exactly why I went to watch the film alone. It all depends on how you have been brought up by your family. I didn’t take mine to the cinema, the rest is up to the people” says Afridi.
The film, earlier titled Boom Boom, was later renamed Main Hoon Shahid Afridi — making most cricket fans believe it is a biopic on Shahid Afridi. However, this gimmick worked in favour of the makers and attracted a lot of viewers. The film is doing well on the local box office, and has already earned Rs50 million. However, the quality of the film is rather disappointing, and the critics feel that it couldn’t really do justice to Shahid Afridi’s stature — the only true superstar in Pakistan. But what does Afridi himself have to say about that? “I agree with the critics,” says Afridi. “It could have been much better.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2013.
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COMMENTS (52)
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@Hella:
I don't care if you are a man or a woman or a third gender. How is that even relevant?
Art is always patronized. Art is never made for money. Are is art. Doesn't matter if it is subsidized or not. This has been the case since millennia. I don't want to explain you that. Because if you do not even understand the contemporary world, how will you understand history?
And in case you have no clue about the contemporary world. Some of the greatest films in India are made on subsidy in the form of production by NFDC.
Good films getting lost? I don't have words to describe your base ignorance.
I think you have no clue about the world within or outside of India. A great many great movies are always produced by different governments. Even within US states there are tax credits, tax rebates, grants. In the UK you have UK lottery fund, in Europian countries there are thousands of such government funding. So do Arab countries. New Zealand has it's own government funding. Australia has Australian film commission, India has NFDC and CFSI apart from PSBT/films division. India also has various state fundings.
My request, please don't bring utterly irrelevant things into the topic like 'women' just because you have nothing relevant to say.
The difference between West/Europe, Iran and South Asia is, they have intelligent people who support good movie of any budget. Here in South Asia, people are so stupid that bad movies make money and good movies don't.
The proof is right here in this comment section from the majority support to idiotic movies from idiotic people.
@Water Bottle, u seem to live in a completely different world in more ways then one. What makes u think I am a male? Or do u only make assumptions? It isn't my fault if your world is only restricted to the writers and film-makers u have mentioned. No one needs to get lost if they r making money. Do try to find out how Iranian movies are made. A large no. need to be subsidised, because they don't recover costs. They will get lost if they don't make money, irrespective of how good they are. If Pakistan copies Iran, they will need the tax-payer's money. If they copy India they will feed people. People are the same all over the world. if u haven't seen rubbish made in the West, like I said u must live in an ideal world. Believe me women live in the real world, even if u haven't seem them and also have opinions even if u r not used to hearing them.
@Water Bottle:
Technically, the brain will get a new body and not the other way round. Just saying.
@afza siddiqui:
"seriously dude what did u take in breakfast today ??? bournvita???"
LoL. Well Boost is the secret of my energy (and intelligence).
@ water bottle seriously dude what did u take in breakfast today ??? bournvita???
@ET Moderator
Please delete objectionable language used by one (M..A.S ) immediately.
@Water Bottle:
"including a peg."
you cant even have that in Pakistan legally. what else??
Lala: The movie was obscene so i came alone. I can do whatever I want however my family cannot. Because I am a typical pakistani male.
@ashok sai:
Anyone with a little bit of sense usually does not bury the body before at least checking the pulse.
Obviously, you are not such a person.
Also, pls don't write LOL when you are making judgements. One looks like a base fool.
@common man:
"I want a smile on my face even though some people call it absurd and bolywood gives me that chance to laugh and smile."
That's not a reason to watch a movie. Unfortunately South Asians have been fooled into believing so. A smile or a laugh can appear in many ways, including a peg.
Understand what films are about. But how will one, if he doesn't have the courage to see honest art?
@Water Bottle:
In these times of utter depression in the country, I don't want to watch " Iranian movies" to educate myself on fineness and techniques of classic Iranian movies
I want a smile on my face even though some people call it absurd and bolywood gives me that chance to laugh and smile.
@Water Bottle:
Bollywood alone not Indian Film industry, just take a time to watch South Indian classics,ie, Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films, also Bengali films.
Ever heard of 'Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Satyajit Ray, Maniratnam, G.Viswanath, etc' ???
"This proves that Pakistanis are extremely stupid, much like a big part of India"
Lol, you have been given a free hand by ET to write whatever crap you can, I wouldn't have replied for your inane comments but wanted to gift a quote by Shakespeare which is very aptly suits you, here you go :)
'A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool'
@Water Bottle:
Your bottle seems to be empty! Jealousy has no cure dear friend
I think 'Okay' has so far been the best review that I have read of the film. It is just "Okay" leaning a little on the half empty side of the glass. Lala you're the man!
@que:
"Dude give it a break!!! How about some words of encouragement and if u cant do that; then don’t say anything…."
Do you have any idea what you are talking about here?
What encouragement?
Encourage who? Shahid Afridi?
Please read the article completely again and see where the factor of encouragement came here.
@Hella:
"If you haven’t read rubbish writing published and sold, rubbish paintings & sculpture made and sold or monstrous architecture erected and sold you must be living in an ideal world."
You are completely off here. There is a world of difference between one Chetan Bhagat or one Don Brown making it through thousands of Sashi Deshpandes, Arvind Adigas, Salman Rushdies, Anita Nairs...and...one Shekhar Kapur making it through thousands of Karan Johars, Rohit Shettys, Farha Khans, Anurag Kashyaps, Farhan Akhtars.
"But also look at the scale of production. At the end of the day a majority of Indian movies are not subsidised by tax payers and are part of a business that needs to recover money."
What irreverent things are you talking about? Subsidy or no subsidy, you make a good film or get lost.
"If rubbish sells you need to make rubbish."
Exactly my point. Thank you for agreeing that Bollywood makes rubbish because rubbish sells in India. That's why I said, a majority of Indians are idiots (hope you are not one), so are Pakistanis.
That's exactly why I say, Pakistan, look to your west for films. Indian makes rubbish because rubbish sells in India, exactly like the above gentleman pointed out. (even though he missed my point by a light year!!!)
Looks like lala is not happy with the film or the compensation. Doesnt look like he ever saw the script or saw trailers of the movie before giving his name for it.
The kind of statements he is giving is the worst nightmare of the producer. Instead of publicizing the movie he is putting it down so openly. I am sure the producer is glad that lala didnt come for the premier.
@Water Bottle: Here the comparison is between Bollywood and Lollywood not Iranian,And it speeks much about your intelligence not mine or Shahid Afridi that when more films with more investment, which are now being shown all over the world -there must be in ,some of them,some cinematic quality, which is liked by some people.I live in small town in USA and every Friday new Hindi movies are released in cinema hall here- I have never seen any Iranian or Lollywood movies screen such a regular fashion.As others have pointed out, there has been some good pictures with courageous topic, were also made in Bollywood -all of them are not crap.
@Water Bottle, Painting, sculpture, music, writing, architecture are all creative arts. If you haven't read rubbish writing published and sold, rubbish paintings & sculpture made and sold or monstrous architecture erected and sold you must be living in an ideal world. I do agree when you say that Iranian cinema is miles ahead of Bollywood, Tollywood, Mollywood, sandalwood etc. But also look at the scale of production. At the end of the day a majority of Indian movies are not subsidised by tax payers and are part of a business that needs to recover money. If rubbish sells you need to make rubbish. You need to sell and make money so that those who's livelihood depends on it can eat. Finally I did see 'Chennai Express' with a bunch of kids. They enjoyed it thoroughly and I ended up with a headache. To each his own.
@Water Bottle:
Dude give it a break!!! How about some words of encouragement and if u cant do that; then don't say anything....
We have talent but we don't know how to use it. Afridi himself is an example of talent but he doesn't know how to use it.
Afridi just hit HS where it hurts the most. I love Afridi for being brutally honest and then giving the crying kid a lollipop by saying "I appreciate the effort put in by Humayun and his team".
@BruteForce:
"Entertainment and Art is not the same for everybody. Even though I hate movies like Chennai Express and like the ones like Bhag Milkha Bhag, I cannot define what Entertainment and Art is for others."
I agree with the rest of your points. But not this. You know why?
When it comes to painting, people don't paint crap and call it entertainment. When it comes to writing, if you write rubbish in the name of entertainment, it won't even get published. When it comes to sculptures/architecture, rubbish does not pass in the name of entertainment.
It's only films, where the space is occupied by fools.
Ask why? I will tell you. Unlike other forms of art which does not require money, or qualification, films is a field any idiot with some backing can jump into. He might have connections, money or backing.
So, it's wrong to call rubbish as entertainment and smack on the face of art. Rubbish is rubbish.
If you are a software engineer, you might know the concept of passing on BUGs as features. That's what is happening in films, BUGs are being passed as features.
Actually Today SRK is a huge factor for decline of Indian cinema. He must stop clowning and leave acting for good.
@waterbottle Let's start with some basics. Tell me how much have you watched Iranian movies? Who is your favourite director from Iran? What do you like about his movies?
India produces very less quality.Most of the bollywood films are crappy.Films produced in india are all masala types.Most indians hate bollywood.Why comparing india with pakistan.India also have corruptions,malnutrition,poverty,terrorism,honour killings,crime against women as same goes to pakistan .Pakistanis and indian should not vote for freebies like laptop or free rice.Exercise your vote in proper way from india.
please, some one give him a football, urgent
@Water Bottle:
Entertainment and Art is not the same for everybody. Even though I hate movies like Chennai Express and like the ones like Bhag Milkha Bhag, I cannot define what Entertainment and Art is for others.
Some are not even interested in Art, all they want is Entertainment, with some modicum of Creativity thrown in.
Iranian movies are amazing and Pakistan should look up to them, as they have a lot in common with their 'brotherly' country. But, I'd like India to do that as well, but I'd also like it to make movies for all kinds of audiences and not limit themselves, just because I do not like one particular kind of movies.
@ahmer:
"U need burnol"
OK. I bought a Burnol. Now, how will you buy a brain for your cranium?
@Prakash:
"Last year 1500 Films of different zoner-good and bad, were made in India, in comparison not even 15 in Pakistan, Indian Films are made with huge investment ,while Pakistani films are low budget- so where is comparison. "
Perhaps you are as smart as Afridi.
Iran invests 1/1000th of money into films as India does. Yet, Iran has produced films that are 1000 times better in artistic and even technical quality compared to Indian crap.
Quantity or money does not make good art. The basis of a good piece of art is honesty and courage. Two qualities which Indians lack in.
@Anshuman Tripathy:
"If you would have watched some of Anurag Kashyap,Vikramaditya Motwane,Shoojit sircar,Sujoy Ghosh,Rakesh Omprakash Mehra,Anand gandhi,Gauri Shinde or Reema Kagti’s latest stuff you wouldn’t be talking garbage like that"
This is exactly why i said a large part of India is stupid like Pakistanis.
Mr. Thipathy, you are not exposed to the art of cinema. The ignorance shows up in the films you have mentioned.
The filmmakers you have mentioned are mediocre at best.
Compare their mediocre monstrosity to sublime art created by Panahi, Asghari, Majidi.
Yes, India has/had some great artistes like Satyajit Ray or Adoor Gopalkrishnan or M.S. Satyu or Kasaravalli or to an extent even Shekhar Kapoor.
But the filmmakers you have mentioned are just flashes in the pan. That also shows your utter ignorance in art appreciation.
@rahul: @Water Bottle is a patriotic Indian. He just happens to not appreciate Hindi movies and prefers movies from south. On most issues, his comments are quite reasonable.
@MAS "it is the Iranian cinema that needs to be bench marked, not indian (dogs)…"
And howcome ET, you are publishing such kind of comment ??
Ok, so now you want inspiration from Iranian Cinema, taller-deeper friendship with Chinese and idealogical equality with Arabs ???
DDLJ was directed by Aditya Chopra. Karan Johar's debut film was KKHH.
one of the best pakistani film i saw was heer ranjha, i would go as far as say it was far better than any indian film of the time. presently they can't compete against the big budget bollywood. some of the french films iv'e seen have been far far better than hollywood, that's because the french government subsidizes its cinema.
Karan Johar’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge ???
*PLEASE MAKE A CORRECTION THAT THE ABOVE DDLJ MOVIE IS OF ADITYA CHOPRA, NOT KARAN JOHAR!!*
THANKS
@Water Bottle: how you know bollywood movies are crappy, probably watching them too.Such a HYPO CRATE.
focus on cricket my friend
Totally agree with water bottle..........it is the Iranian cinema that needs to be bench marked, not indian (dogs)............lots of movies had very low budget but were acclaimed world wide.
50 million pkr.....3 crore Indian Rs............I cant stop laughing.....am moving on my couch everywhere lol..z.........This is 1 hour collection of a B-Grade bolly movie...lol..z.......
Karan Johar’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge????
How come women under tents and men with hanging gardens from chin make good film industry ? Ban some science text books , it suits you .
what planet is this gaga lady Mathira from anyway.
@Water Bottle Wow....you must be watching some really tasteless bollywood movies then...Stop being so cynical all the time and get a life...There have been some really path breaking bollywood movies in the last couple of years that have redefined Hindi Cinema...I guess bollywood to you means only the worst of the khans(SRK & salman) and item song riddled brainless cinema....If you would have watched some of Anurag Kashyap,Vikramaditya Motwane,Shoojit sircar,Sujoy Ghosh,Rakesh Omprakash Mehra,Anand gandhi,Gauri Shinde or Reema Kagti's latest stuff you wouldn't be talking garbage like that... Or I am assuming you're a south Indian who just wants to hate on hindi cinema coz he doesn't understand the language.
I live in Chennai and I find thats the case most of the time.
Last year 1500 Films of different zoner-good and bad, were made in India, in comparison not even 15 in Pakistan, Indian Films are made with huge investment ,while Pakistani films are low budget- so where is comparison.
@Water Bottle .. Relax man .. Why are u getting heated up coz he is talking about Bollywood? You guys can never grow up. Such hypocrites. You talk like this and go and watch Bollywood films.
@Water Bottle: U need burnol
"Pakistani standards in mind, but in comparison to Bollywood, we are still way behind"
Afridi maybe a good sportsman, but what is his IQ? 50? 90?
If he had an iota of sense in him, he would have compared Pakistani films with Iranian films and not crappy Bollywood.
Iran is setting standards in film-making to the entire world. Bollywood is setting the standard in the reverse direction.
You want to learn good film-making by watching how to not make horrible wretched films? Watch Bollywood.
This proves that Pakistanis are extremely stupid, much like a big part of India.