Bol surpasses expectations on opening day
Ammar Shahbazi
Karachi: Shoiab Mansoor’s much-anticipated movie Bol starring pop-icon Atif Aslam finally hit the big screens across the city on Friday.
Despite unfavourable security situation of the city, fun-starved Karachiites couldn’t wait to flock to cinema houses in droves to be a part of what critics called the most important entertainment event of the year.
Cinema houses across Karachi are all expecting a bumper business this season from Bol, given the efforts by GEO productions, the value attached to the name of ace-director Shoaib Mansoor and the star-cast that includes teen heart-throb Atif Aslam.
“We are sold out for the next three days,” said Anita Kenneth, the senior marketing manager at Atrium Cinema.
Cinema-going was a dying culture in Pakistan until in 2007 Shoaib Mansoor came up with his blockbuster Khuda Ke Liye and almost single-handedly breathed life into the local film industry. This time around, the expectations were naturally high which, many believe, were thankfully met.
“This is reality, Shoiab Mansoor went beyond our expectations and came up with something that we know but never talk about,” said Mrs Abbas, a housewife, as she came out of the screening-room at Atrium Cinema.
“The production quality was at par with any expensive Bollywood movie,” said Talha, an ‘A’ level student.
The theme of the movie was rumoured to be bold but many people found it revealing and insightful. “Yes, the subject was bold but compared to what our children watch daily in Indian channels it was totally acceptable” said Amin Siddiqi, a businessman who came to Capri cinema with his family to watch the movie.
However, some people thought that given the taboo subjects the movie touches upon, it would have been better if an adults only viewers’ discretion had been advised.
The movie has been generally accepted by viewers cross the board. Kashif Salam, a bearded man in his 50s, came out of the Capri cinema with a contended smile on his face and remarked that the movie depicted reality. According to him, the film should have been made much earlier. “This subject should have been brought up before. Bol talks about Pakistan, the hypocrisy that dwells within each of us.” Apart from the theme and plot of the movie that was generally lauded by viewers, Atif Aslam’s presence visibly made Bol a personal must-watch for many teenage girls. As the movie ended at Atrium Cinema, young girls brewed out of the screen-room chatting away their time inside.
“I came to watch Atif Aslam,” said Mahreen, a BBA student. “I had my fingers crossed, I was not expecting him to look so awesome on screen, he was my favourite singer and now he is my favourite actor too.”
Given the current situation of the country — the shortage of energy, a sluggish economy – Bol’s release has certainly provided the people of Pakistan a reason to celebrate a local creation and sink in take pride for weeks and months to come.
Source: The News
Date:6/25/2011
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