Geo News (Digital)

Abhi ☆☆ 1/2

Starring: Kubra Khan and

Gohar Mumtaz

Direction: Asad Mumtaz

Abhi kicks off with a tribute to legendary Pakistani singers, setting a nostalgic tone. Directed by Asad Mumtaz, known for his work as a cinematographer on Once Upon A Time In Karachi and Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed’s Bin Roye, Abhi attempts to blend action, love, tragedy, and patriotism while weaving in themes of unfulfilled dreams and career struggles together.

Kubra Khan graces the silver screen after a two-year break since London Nahi Jaunga, taking on the role of Zara. Gohar Mumtaz, known for his work in the band Jal, embarks on his acting journey as Hamza in Abhi. The leads’ chemistry is surprisingly good, considering this is their first appearance together. Who knew they’d look so picture-perfect?

Ali Kazmi as Salman, the cop, stands out, with his expressive and solid performance. After his role in Umro Ayyar, it’s clear Kazmi should stick to doing more films, preferably good ones.

The music, infused with Gohar’s signature touch, is melodious and the lyrics well-crafted. But prepare yourself for an onslaught of musical sequences. There was a lot of hype about Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s song, but it’s over almost as soon as it starts. Maybe they ran out of screen time?

Cinematography, VFX, production design, costumes, and locations are top-notch, with Abhi being shot in the picturesque Kashmir. The scenery is stunning, but unlike iconic film locations, the characters don’t leave a lasting impression on these beautiful backdrops.

The execution is where things get messy. The opening scenes, laden with patriotism and friendships, try hard to capture attention but fall short on storytelling.

Hamza’s character, an orphan, is surprisingly well-adjusted, missing the expected emotional void. The initial connection with his father evaporates quickly. The eldest son, played by Saleem Sheikh, lacks a meaningful father-son dynamic, though he does a decent job as the brother. The BMW scenes add some fleeting amusement to an otherwise dragging plot.

Other shortcomings include Zara’s mysterious living arrangements— did she stay at a stranger’s house or in a hotel? Who knows? Her bodyguards, omnipresent in Kashmir, are conspicuously absent in Lahore, leaving the minister’s only child alone in protests, while driving, and at parties. She even takes a Kashmiri friend for a joyride in someone else’s BMW. Convenient, right?

The humor, especially a joke about Bollywood songs, feels out of place. Despite the so-called ‘cheap’ content, Bollywood still manages to draw audiences — a lesson perhaps for a struggling cinema industry.

On a positive note, celebrating the Pakistani music industry’s excellence was spot on; our music truly needs no introduction.

Hina Bayat, playing Hamza’s mother, is missing in action during critical moments like her son’s kidnapping and recovery. Some mother-son scenes could’ve added much-needed emotional depth. Hareem Farooqui, as Babo the blind lady, shines brightly in her limited screen time, raising expectations for her upcoming film Mango Jutt.

Abhi serves up a mix of action, patriotism, and romance but falls short with a weak storyline and uneven pacing. It’s a so-so watch for cinema-goers, with plenty of room for improvement. Audience reviews were mixed, when I chatted with them, echoing the sentiment that while the film had potential, it failed to fully deliver.

“It could’ve been a better story and there are many ways to portray patriotism. Music was the best part, though,” shared one viewer.

In conclusion, despite its shortcomings, Abhi isn’t a bad film, but it does feel dragged. With a stronger script, it could have been much better.

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