Waar Movie Review: Genuine Waar to save Pakistani Film Industry

Pakistan is a nation that has the tendency to surprise the world and its people in the most unforeseen ways. “Waar” is a wonderful example of brilliant cinema and 145 minutes of sheer surprise. At multiple times one wonders, is he really watching a Pakistani (Lollywood) movie? Waar has all the ingredients which enhanced the flavor of the complete movie. Apart from the fact that this movie is heavily budgeted, there are other feathers in the cap. I always say, every big budgeted movie does not guarantee quality content and strong narration but “Waar” is a totally different case. It has high quality content that is not just engaging but relevant as well.

It is indeed a daring step for a Pakistani film director and producer to cast non-filmy talent in such a high budgeted movie (at least for Pakistan). Ali Azmat (As Ejaz Khan), Aisha Khan (as Jeveria), Meesha Shafi (as Zoya), Shamoon Abbasi (as Ramal) and Hamza Abbasi (as Ehtesham) are all perfectly knitted in their respective roles. The only seasoned Pakistani film actor who is there in the movie is Shan (as Mujtaba).
The movie depicts the life of army and police officers during the attack in 2009 on Police Academy at Lahore. Ramal (Master of disguise) is the super operative contract killer turned into terrorist whose new assignment is to cause destruction and terror in Pakistan. Ehtesham and Javeria from police department get the information about Ramal and need the help of an ex-army officer Mujtaba to demolish Ramal’s terrorist activities. They team up and stand against Ramal. The political scenario involves Ejaz Khan and Zoya who have some other motives in the movie.

The direction of the movie is first rate. Every scene is aesthetically filmed and the depiction of the plot has been just so perfect. Bilal Lashari (director) left no stone unturned, he made it look like a complete package. In Pakistan, this movie has set a benchmark for the upcoming movies. The cinematography is the amazing. Hasan Waqas Rana (writer / producer) delivered his best and Waar being his debut surely marks his élan in the Pakistani film industry. The 75% dialogues of the movie are in English. Check out the fight sequences in the movie they aren’t any lesser than the international standard. From where I see it, this movie was released to prove that the Pakistani can compete in the international league of movies provided they have the right resource like the team of Waar.

Shan gets into the skin of his character most effortlessly. He enacts the dense role of an army officer with sharp yet satirical dialogues like a flawless breed of a performer. Aisha Khan looks gorgeous and thoroughly professional, even though her role has nothing to do with flaunting her beauty. Her dialogue deliveries are amazing. Ali Azmat is first rate. This is Hamza Abbasi’s second movie (first: Main Hoon Shahid Afridi) and one can easily witness a rising star in the Pakistani film industry. He has so many shades and this movie showcases his talent on a larger spectrum.

Who could have imagined the debutante “Mashshu Mian” of 1999’s Pakistani drama serial “Kashish” would go to such an extreme in performance from an out and out comical role to 2013’s topnotch movie Waar’s main villain “Ramal”? He proves to be the most terrifying, calm and quiet villain in Waar. Standing against Shaan and having a screen presence is not a piece of cake in Pakistani cinema. Meesha Shafi looks good in her role.

Waar is a first rate movie by all means. It deserves to be seen by the classes and the masses as well. This movie could easily stand against any international movie that is produced by neighboring countries. So far, it is ruling the box office and earning loads and loads of critical acclaim along with cine goers’ fondness.