Na Baligh Afraad ☆☆

Starring: Aashir Wajahat, Samar
Jafri, Mani, Mohammed
Ehteshamuddin, and
Saleem Mairaj
Direction: Nabeel Qureshi

The title itself hints at the film’s perplexing nature. Despite Qureshi’s impressive filmo-graphy, Na Baligh Afraad, feels like a misstep. However, respecting the production team’s effort, a full viewing is recommended before forming an opinion.

Na Baligh Afraad offers a challenging viewing experience. The plot revolves around two schoolboys, Mazhar and Fakhar (played by Aashir Wajahat and Samar Jafri), who are determined to watch an adult film. Despite initial failures, their persistence keeps you engaged.

The lead characters, brimming with nervous energy, are the film’s saving grace. Their performances shine despite a weak script. Na Baligh Afraad depicts a utopian vision of school life, capturing youthful curiosity and innocence on the cusp of adulthood.

Set in the 1990s, the film avoids modern technology that would render the boys’ quest trivial. Yet, despite the premise’s potential, the film remains dull.

Wearing their school uniforms constantly make them appear unconvincing in their pursuit. A change of clothes could have enhanced their disguise. The premise of boys trying to watch an adult VCR tape with family around held comedic potential. Unfortunately, the writing falls flat.

In the context of Pakistan’s cinematic revival, with actors venturing into Hindi films and directors like Asim Abbasi creating successful series for Zee Global, elements like production design and cinematography are crucial. Yet, Na Baligh Afraad lacks memorable visuals or moments. The humour feels forced and fails to land, and meticulous attention to detail seems neglected. With a runtime exceeding an hour and a half, the film feels unnecessarily long.

The plot of two boys seeking adult content isn’t shocking today, especially considering Pakistan’s consumption of such material. Their journey resembles a struggle, but without a satisfying conclusion.

Supporting characters, like the passive-aggressive relative and the lewd school teacher, are predictable. This predictability maintains the film’s family-friendly tone. However, for a filmmaker of Nabeel Qureshi’s caliber, known for his superior past works, this film feels rushed and unfocused.

The recurring question directed at the boys, “When will you grow up?” is answered in a disappointingly lackluster manner. School days encompass much more than the pursuit of ‘adult films.’ Where are the themes of friendship and mischievous adventures that resonate universally?

Actors like Mani, Mohammed Ehteshamuddin, and Saleem Mairaj deliver outstanding performances, showcasing their talent. However, this highlights a significant issue: the writing for supporting characters is severely lacking.

Fahad Mustafa’s cameo is a notable aspect, but it doesn’t tie back to Na Maloom Afraad, a film it seemingly tries to leverage. Instead, Na Baligh Afraad relies heavily on its lead actors, missing the mark in visual aesthetics, editing and camera work.

In the broader context of contemporary Pakistani cinema, Na Baligh Afraad stands as a stark reminder that not all creative risks yield fruitful results. Despite the film’s lackluster execution, its ambition to explore the nuanced transition from childhood to adulthood is commendable.

The film’s attempt to tackle the subject matter through humour and satire, albeit unsuccessful, is a testament to Qureshi’s willingness to push boundaries. Future endeavours can be built upon these foundations, striving for a balance between innnovative storytelling and engaging content, perhaps with a greater focus on script.

Watch it for a few laughs and to support Pakistani cinema. I’m giving the film two stars for the following reason: one for Aashir Wajahat and one for Samar Jafri.

Set in the 1990s, the film avoids modern technology that would render the boys’ quest trivial. Yet, despite the premise’s potential, the film remains dull. Wearing their school uniforms constantly make them appear unconvincing in their pursuit.
A change of clothes could have enhanced their disguise.
Na Baligh Afraad relies heavily on its lead actors, missing the mark in visual aesthetics, editing and camera work.

Rating system: *Not on your life * ½ If you really must waste your time ** Hardly worth the bother ** ½ Okay for a slow afternoon only *** Good enough for a look see *** ½ Recommended viewing **** Don’t miss it **** ½ Almost perfect ***** Perfection