Film: Ramchand Pakistani

Producer: Javed Jabbar

Director: Mehreen Jabbar

Cast: Nandita Das, Rashid Farooqui, Fazal Hussain

Rating: 2.5/5

There is no disputing that Ramchand Pakistaani is a film straight from the heart. The kind of film that makes you think and reflect. But, even if it is that very kind of a film, it is not the best amongst them nor is it told in the most compelling manner.

Like every little boy, Ramchand (Fazal Hussain) is full of mischief. With a doting mother (Nandita Das) and concerned father (Rashid Farooqui), he is brought up with much love and little money. The film goes into full swing when over a tiff with his mother, Ramchand crosses into the Indian side of the border. Unknowingly and with much innocence he walks into India from his village on the Pakistani side, only to be caught and detained by the border police. In an effort to save his son, Shankar too follows him into India and gets caught. What ensues is the yearning of a mother for her family to return, the patience of a father and the pain of a son of having to choose.

In no way could the story be any better. Without looking at it as a true story and simply judging it as just another story written, it still is fantastic. Having said that, it should also be said that this fantastic opportunity to create an outstanding film is missed by a huge margin. Having strong characters alone does nothing for the film. The manner in which it is executed and the manner in which the story is narrated also plays a crucial role. In that aspect Ramchand Pakistani fails.

What is a thorough let down in the film is the manner in which it is shot and the pace of the entire process. The film in many parts is unfocussed and the pace is dreadfully slow, to an extent that the film feels stagnant. Certainly at many points the repetitive nature of a scene was to convey strong message of acceptance or change; but then having understood it why drive the nail further? It is small things like these that actually hinder the film. There is so much that could have been done to make the film more impactful, but then was not. Texture, colour, emotions and so many other...

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