Na Maloom Afraad-2 & Punjab Nahi Jaongi: Is it really an uphill ride for Lollywood?

I am not sure what’s happening to our Paki-Cinema? I thought it was going uphill, reviving, and revitalizing with all its wit…but nope! 

It really feels sad to say k, our cinema in the name of progressive upheaval, is just sabotaging our (bachi kuchi) moralities. I literally don't know k why our Respected-Most-Senior-Censor-Board-Sir-Gees are playing blindfolded, when these ‘newbies' are khulam-kula demoralizing our young ones.

I guess its enough of the hate speech, and now I actually need to give my reasonings! On this Eid-ul-Adha, everyone has their eyes glued to the two most anticipated full-house, box-office-hits, record-breaker films—Na Maloom Afraad-2 (NMA2) and Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ). 

I haven't seen the ‘old’ NMA, (precursor to this NMA2), neither am I interested in its jalebi like twisted racy story. But I do have clear issues with its songs. I am not sure what this naya-joshila-khoon wants to prove or to be exact are following? I have to be quite crude and bluntly say k I hate their two songs, which ironically got the most hits/clicks/views. The Arabian number is in one word…just-not-us (*i have already written an article on that). 

Then comes this Chal Hug Lay number, an absurd lyrical tongue twister. It’s incomprehensible for me, if our censor-board approved it in the name of light humor…yar it’s literally dirty. 

Second on my list is, I guess the most awaited one of all, PNJ. I liked its cinematography, grandeur, songs, and even crisp dialogues. Its trailer is actually one of the must-watch-ones. My problem is with its title. The words Main Punjab Nahin Jaon Gi, on first hear camouflage as a very bold, blunt, and fearless statement by a female protagonist. But if you ponder a bit…it actually invokes pity and sympathy. I am not sure of the storyline, but I can say one thing with absolute certainty k, despite all the entitled resistance,“our poor girl” will end up going to the Punjab. 

What is our cinema showing or wants to portray? Is it k our Punjabi-Jatt can just never take a “NO” for an answer? Or k our society is just an amalgam of convoluted double-standards? Or k these patriarchs got all the power to fake woman’s independence to highlight their menogamy (if that could be a word)? Or k, no matter what a girl wants or wills, in the end it’s a man’s world, and they are the ones who could decide her fate? 

If you could understand my logics, then I am sure you’ll be as mad as I am right now...while writing this all-out to actually de-strain and share my resentment. 

Two Women...Showcasing the Dichotomy in Pakistan!

Instead of stewing my resentment and despair, I thought kay its best to pen it and share >> my ultimate feel-good strategy!

This is about two women, public-figures, who belong to extremely contrasting professions. One has been in the limelight for over a week now. Whereas, the other one blasted the Pakistani media, almost a day before. Ironically, the first one is being quite appreciated for her revealing aptitude, whereas the later’s revelations are facing an expected* biased reception. (*After all Pakistan was, is, and will remain a patriarchal society)! 

I guess its enough of the trivia, let me reveal their identities! The one who's receiving all the wows and bows is Sadaf Kanwal, for her latest 'item' song, for an upcoming Lollywood movie. The other one, who’s been facing quite a back lash from our very own judgmental nation is Ayesha Gulalai, a MNA and “former” PTI member. 

By now, my train of thought would be quite evident. I am not feeling very happy and excited while jotting down this chaos. More so, I feel sad. Why? Let me wipe the haze… 

Sadaf Kanwal is a beautiful talented model. Nothing negative for her and the profession…all’s good. Here, I am just using her as an example to discuss the latest Pakistani craze. I don't appreciate her and other girls' act of seeding the “item-song-culture” in Pakistan. Because if it worked, which equals financial success, then guess what…all the girls would feel the pressure or God forbids, would feel the need to strip down. No one wants that…!  

We all proudly declare our films as a national asset. Then how can we appreciate or more so even tolerate such an act, where women are showcased as a mere pleasure toy. NO…it’s a big NOO…it’s not profiting in long-run, simply out of respect for our social and moral grounds. Plus, how much bronzed skin should/could be highlighted is another slippery slope discussion...let's not follow that path from the beginning! 

So, please girls stop, and be careful on your own…or do we need any random men to make regulations against this unacceptable aptitude? No, right? Please, don't begin this false rat race. Sorry folks…its just not acceptable…and please don't converge your efforts to prove a wrong, as right!   

The second incident is smoking fresh, yet sad. I don't know anything about Ayesha Gulalai, and didn't even felt the need to dig into her past, present…and even future inclinations. Just out of scope for my discussion! What matters is, she didn't hesitated to confront a culturally tabooed issue. Being a part of our conservative Pakistan, she came upfront and made some upsetting declarations about being targeted for an ethically unacceptable behavior, by the few chosen ones, (we all know their names…). 

Besides digging into the realm of her being right or wrong, my concern is kay she is at the least, courageous. Thanks to her that the women’s issue of workplace (sexual) harassment, which undoubtedly is faced by many, if not all, is ones again in the limelight. I wonder how and why, our efficient leaders just swipe past this most pungent and stagnant problem. And our media (including Social Networking Sites), which amplified it as a scandalous talk, are just blindfolded to understand the gravity of this issue. Isn't it ironic? Before publicly stoning anyone with weird comments and questions, the need is be patient. Let the lawmakers do their job, because truth always finds its way out.

Anyways, hats off to all the ladies who refuse to stay silent, and more so, choose to unzip it all. If not rewarded with any instant gratification, at least be proud of blazing a trail for the rest to follow!

The gist of all aforementioned nitty-gritty details is kay, when one female is depicted as an item…all applauded her. And when one woman opened up to seek respect, all became judgmental! This is the most ironic dichotomy of Pakistan, that we live, breath, and I fear kay our coming generations will also be watering the same holes. To initiate an ultimate change, the chain of ‘such' conservative ideologies needs to be cut. There’s so much that needs to be fixed, but cleanup can only begin when we realize kay it’s literally messy. 

People..please snap out of your illusionary halos...accept the existence of these problems…and demand the responsible-ones to fix them!