Maalik (2016 film)

Maalik

Theatrical release poster
مالک
Directed by Ashir Azeem
Produced by Ashir Azeem
Bushra Aseehir Azeem
Written by Ashir Azeem
Starring
Cinematography Imran Ali
Edited by Salman
Production
company
Media Hub
Distributed by Footprint Entertainment
Release dates
  • April 8, 2016 (2016-04-08) (Pakistan)
  • August 26, 2016 (2016-08-26) (United States)
  • September 9, 2016 (2016-09-09) (Pakistan)
Country Pakistan
Language Urdu
Box office Rs6.75 crore (US$0.67 million) (Worldwide) [1]

Maalik (Urdu مالک) is a 2016 Pakistani Political, thriller film made by Ashir Azeem. The film stars Ashir Azeem, Farhan Ally Agha, Sajid Hassan, Hassan Niazi, Adnan Shah, Rashid Farooqi, Ehteshamuddin and Tatmain ul Qulb in lead roles. It was released on 8 April 2016 in cinemas across Pakistan under the production banner of Media Hub.[2][3] The film was banned in Pakistan for political reasons after being cleared by all three Censor Boards of the country with Universal (Unrestricted) rating, opposition parties in Pakistan welcomed the film for showing reality and the KPK govt allowed screening of 'Maalik' . Maalik is the only Pakistani film to be banned by the Federal Govt after being cleared by all Censor Boards.[4][5]

Plot outline

A Pashtun family that escapes from the ravages of the Soviet war in Afghanistan and settles in Karachi. A Special Services Group SSG officer who undergoes a personal tragedy and starts a private security company (Black Ops Pvt. Ltd) in Karachi. His SSG colleagues keep joining the company on their retirements. An idealist school master who suffers greatly under a cruel Feudal lord and settles in Karachi and finally the Feudal Lord who becomes the Chief Minister of Sindh and unleashes a reign of terror on all that cross his path. Maalik is a story of love, loyalty, honor, family value, idealism, courage and dignity against all odds, and across all sections of society from the poor and the struggling to the highest levels of wealth and power.[6]

Cast

Production

Filming

Shoot of Maalik commenced on September 21, 2014. Maalik is one of the largest films shot in Pakistan and had a scheduled shoot of 100 days. Entire film has been shot on location. The locations of the film are exotic and range from fields and villages of interior Sindh to rugged Mountains of Baluchistan to the corridors of power of the government. The film has been shot on 4k format, using Red and BlackMagic cameras. Extensive use of steadicam and professional drones for aerial filming has been made. Extensive props and hardware have been used in the film including multiple helicopters MI 17 and MI 35 Gunships, T 55 Tanks and C130 Hercules aircraft. Pakistan's Special Forces has provided extensive support including advanced weapons, ammunition and training to the cast and crew.

Marketing

The first look of film was revealed online in March 2015.[8] Film's teaser trailer was released on Pakistan Independence Day, 2015 on Vimeo. Theatrical trailer of film was released on social media on March 7, 2016 followed by a final poster on March 25. Few character posters were also released at the end of same month.

Reception

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews. Omair Alavi of The News International reviewed the film by saying: "Maalik is a film that has been produced for those who love Pakistan and want it to prosper. The film commands multiple viewing because for die-hard Lollywood fans, this ‘Hollywood’ treatment would be hard to digest. In short, Maalik leaves a lasting impression and is a must-watch."[9] Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune called the film "unpolished" and "jingoistic propaganda" that "lacks coherence." He gave it rating of three out of five stars. He said: "‘Maalik’ is not a masterpiece yet isn’t something that should be missed. Watch it without any expectations and you might as well be surprised"[10] Moayyed Jafri of The News International wrote that the film, "shows that the armed forces are learning the ropes of using mass media in paving public opinion."[11] Sulman Ali of The Nation said "the movie is for a common Pakistani who has grudges against the country's political leaders and is waiting for a ‘miracle’ to happen."[12] Writing in The Express Tribune, Aliza Qaisar called the film, "a cesspool of ludicrousness.".[13] The film however is extremely popular among the masses and enjoys the highest IMDB rating of 9.4, for any Pakistani film ever.

Ban

On April 26, 18 days after releasing the film was banned by Sindh Board of Film Censor, Government of Sindh.[14] However, the Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah intervened and asked the ministry not to issue it as it would be 'against the freedom of expression'. On April 27, The Federal Government of Pakistan has banned Maalik nationwide in a notification issued on Wednesday.[15] In a series of tweets, Writer and Director of film Ashir Azeem strongly condemn ban on his film.[16] On September 7, 2016 ban on film was lifted by LHC and the film was re-released on limited screens in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.[17][18] The Supreme Court noticed that the (CBFC) overstepped its authority by banning the film Maalik. The Court declined watching the movie and expected the government law officer to watch the film. [19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://boxofficedetail.com/view_post.php?value=7323
  2. ↑ "Maalik, first look of upcoming film". Reviewit.pk. Rashid Nazir Ali. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Clearing the smoke on 'Maalik'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "'Maalik' film banned across Pakistan". Dawn. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Maalik movie: What the Pakistan government ban tells us". BBC. 28 August 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "Film 'Maalik' is as much about the military as it is about politics in Pakistan". Dawn Images. Irfan ul Haq. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
  7. ↑ Ally Adnan (13 February 2015). "Pakistani drama is stifling creativity". The Friday Times. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Upcoming Pakistani movie 'Maalik's trailer unveiled!". ARY News. Shahjahan Khurram. Retrieved 15 August 2015.
  9. ↑ Omair Alavi. "Maalik Rekindles Patriotic Fervour". The News International. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Rafay Mahmood (7 April 2016). "Review: 'Maalik' shines through the scratches". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  11. ↑ Moayyed Jafri (22 April 2016). "'Maalik' with overwhelming message of patriotism premiered". The News International. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  12. ↑ Sulman Ali (16 April 2016). "Movie Review: Maalik". The Nation (Pakistan). Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  13. ↑ Aliza Qaisar (20 April 2016). "4 reasons 'Maalik' is the most absurd movie you'll see this year". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  14. ↑ http://arynews.tv/en/sindh-bans-aasl-debut-maalik/
  15. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/news/1254766
  16. ↑ http://aaj.tv/2016/04/killing-freedom-of-expression-controversial-maalik-banned-across-pakistan/
  17. ↑ "Pakistan Court Lifts Ban on Controversial Military-Backed Movie Maalik". CNN-News18. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  18. ↑ "LHC dismisses application against ban on Maalik". Business Recorder. Parvez Jabri. Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  19. ↑ "Censor board overstepped authority by banning Maalik, says SC". DAWN. October 8, 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.

External links

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