ventured out on the Eid day on my own to watch this film in a cinema. Not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised and can confidently say that this is one of the best Pakistani films I have seen till date. It is a low-budget film with new faces, made in seventeen days. This just goes to show that if the director has a solid script, good actors and an engaging story, nothing is impossible.

This is a coming-of-age story about two brothers. Mazhar, played by Aashir Wajahat, son of Wajahat Rauf and Fakhar, essayed by Samar Jafri of Mayi Ri fame, from a lower middle-class locality of Karachi. The story is set in the ’90s which is another reason I enjoyed it thoroughly. I was transported to my student life when all that really mattered was acing exams, never knowing the kind of assessments we would have to sit for in later life with zero preparation and minimal guidance.

Fakhar, who is eleven months younger than Mazhar, is the cleverer one. Mazhar is shy, diffident and easily scared. The degree of fear and deferene we had for our teachers in those days compared with the students today, who are treated like clients, also took me down memory lane. Kashif is their teacher, a role performed by the versatile Mani, Hira Mani’s better half, who is a fantastic addition to the story.

It is a beautiful story, narrated simply and devoid of any vulgarity, foul language and violence, that tugs at the heartstrings. The viewers can relate to the fiasco which ensues when all that the two brothers want to do is watch an adult video cassette on a rented VCR while their family is at a wedding and they are expected to be studying for their exam the next day. Jugnoo, who plays their first cousin, is also a talent to watch out for. His love interest is played by Khushi, Rimha Ahmad who was also in Mayi Ri.

The story is set in the ’90s which is another reason I enjoyed it thoroughly because I was transported to my student life when all that really mattered was acing exams, never knowing the kind of assessments we would have to sit for in later life with little preparation and minimal guidance.

The lot of young actors set the screen on fire with their acting. They would give many well-known TV and film stars a run for their money. The director, Nabeel Qureshi, who made Na Maloom Afraad, earlier, has hit the bull’s eye. The viewer is taken aback by the immense confidence and panache displayed by the young actors. The supporting cast performs well and helps in taking the narrative forward.

As Mazhar and Fakhar sink deeper into trouble, the rollercoaster ride they are on keeps the viewer riveted with its twists and turns. The production, direction, screenplay, acting and script are top-notch. Nabeel Qureshi deserves brownie points for making such a fantastic film with unknown youngsters in a span of only seventeen days.

Faiza Hassan of Burns Road ki Nilofer fame and Mohammed Ehteshamuddin play the parents. However, the two protagonists, Mazhar and Fakhar carry the film on their young shoulders, which is quite a formidable task for two teenagers who have never starred in a mainstream film before.

As Mazhar and Fakhar sink deeper into trouble, the rollercoaster ride they are on keeps the viewer riveted.

If you want to watch a light comedy and take a trip down memory lane to your student life, do watch this film. A joy all the way it will keep you engrossed, involved, engaged and riveted.

It is about time we started supporting our local films and applauded the directors for coming up with some magnificent stuff despite the financial constraints and other hurdles that they face in an industry still struggling to find its feet.

Go and watch Na Baligh Afraad to embark on a journey with Mazhar and Fakhar and stay on the lookout for the surprise package at the end.

The writer is an educationist. She can be reached at gaiteeara@hotmail.com