Films are an art form of expression. This is a universal statement, however, it is seldom, especially in the South Asian region, that one comes across a film which truly embodies this; something so visually stunning that it feels like poetry in motion on celluloid. Parey Hut Love is one such film that is a treat for the senses.
A week-old only, this is a film I have already seen twice, just because I had to watch it on the big screen one more time to truly appreciate the visual beauty of the film.
Although the film hit some weak spots in the story line (Ahem – Our script writers are STILL trying to get that one right, but more on that later), it played so well on the senses that I have to admit, it’s well worth the watch.
So let’s delve into 5 reasons WHY “Parey Hut Love” is a film you must watch on the big screen.
1) It is a MAGNUM OPUS!
This film was MADE to be seen on the silver screen. The sets, the grandeur, the depth, the attention to detail … there is no other way to describe this apart from a Magnum Opus by Asim Raza.
He is known for his attention to detail and is often called the Sanjay Leela Bhansali of Pakistan, but I feel Asim deserves more credit. While SLB dives into the details of the theme of his film (as most of his have been around a theme and era), Asim delves into everyday life and creates mesmerizing visuals.
From a majestic set, to the glow of a diya or scattered flowers, each frame has been captured with such beauty that one can’t help but marvel at the vision of the man who conceptualized it. The entire team, from the stylist Hani Sharique, the production designer Hina Farooqui, and the producer Mehrunissa Azhar, everyone deserves credit for collectively bringing Asim Raza’s vision to life.
2) The Performances
The entire cast has delivered. From the main leads to the supporting cast, each and every person embodied their roles and brought the characters to life. The film is divided into chapters and it is interesting to see how the characters evolve. It is a light-hearted movie with some brilliant one-liners that had the audience laughing out loud.
Image Credits: Google
It was a treat to watch veteran star Nadeem Baig His rendition of “Hamesha der kar deta hoon” will give you goosebumps!
Zara Noor Abbas is a revelation – a discovery, a shining beacon of hope – and we will get to witness some great performances from her in the future because even though she had a supporting role, her expressions and emotions were so genuine, so beautiful, that I couldn’t help but shift my gaze to her even if she didn’t have too many lines. Zara for me, is a true-born actor with tremendous screen presence and I can’t wait to see more of her.
3) Music & Songs
The entire music album of this film is phenomenal. I can’t remember when was the last time that a film’s music album was released and I fell in love with each & every song, making me want to watch the film even more. Asim Raza has connected each song with the narrative of the film and it moves the story forward.
Image Credits: Google
There are a theme and a mood behind each song which makes it all the more appealing to watch on the big screen. We have seen snippets of the song videos but the full songs, when connected to the story, make it even better. Especially Morey Saiyan featuring Mahira Khan like never before is enough of a reason to watch PHL.
4) Cultural Extravaganza
During promotions, PHL was called the ultimate wedding film, and rightfully so, because the film is divided into 4 chapters, each one featuring a wedding which is unique in its own right.
There are the grand Karachi style desi weddings, a Kashmiri wedding and the latest trend of destination weddings. However, the most heartwarming is the Parsi wedding.
Image Credits: Google
There is a wonderful scene giving us a bit of insight into the historic Zoroastrian culture & traditions. This was homage to the Parsi community which has been an integral part of our ethnically diverse country. Special mention must be given to Faheem Azam & Rachel Viccaji for their adorable portrayal of a young Parsi couple, getting the accent and dialect down to perfection without making a mockery of the community.
5) Cameos
The film is peppered with many cameos from several actors in the entertainment industry. Some have been revealed in the trailer leaving us curious as to how they fit in, but there are many more which come as a delightful surprise. This kept me even more engaged as a viewer.
These are some of the highlights of this film, however, here’s what could have been better.
The story line wasn’t as strong as it could have been. Not much effort has gone into creating a masterpiece of a plot. It is a simple story, a light-hearted, heartwarming romantic comedy which is something I enjoyed as the film progresses with each chapter.
Image Credits: Google
The mark of a strong script is that it stays with you as you walk out of the cinema. In fact, it stays with you for a few days as you mull over the film, or hum to the lyrics, reliving the 3 odd hours in the theatre. That didn’t happen with Parey Hut Love. As I walked out of the cinema, the story didn’t stay with me as much as the other aspects – yet there were strong & weak moments, but not a completely powerful narrative.
In order to grow as an industry, our producers must pay more heed to gripping story lines, a plot that builds up to a climax, and keeps the audience engaged, so they vicariously live through the emotions played out on screen. Such a story line stays with the audience – and THAT is what a truly great film is all about.
Having said this, PHL is a film with many positives, a production that is truly worth viewing, and a great step forward for the growing Pakistani film industry.
So what are you waiting for? Go book your tickets now and let me know what you think in the comments section.
