VISAFF Showcases Pakistani Movie

The 7th Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival this year was celebrated from Nov 16- 19 at City of Surrey Theatre. Ms. Mannu Sandhu is the VISAFF producer whose efforts every year make this event successful in South Asian community. This year’s special guest from film industry was the Indian actress Ms. Huma Qureshi. This year, with collaboration between Pakistani Canadian women society, Pakistani Film “Actor in Law” was shown in this festival on Nov 17th. The screening was attended by a large number of Paki- stani Canadian community members as well as other members of the South Asian community who thoroughly enjoyed this light comedy.

“Actor in Law” tells the story of Shan Mirza (Fahad Mustafa), an aspiring actor who is a disappointment to his lawyer father (Om Puri). Thwarted in his acting career, he ends up impersonating a lawyer, using theatrics and over-the-top rhetoric in the courtroom while his father is away on Hajj. He shoots to stardom when reporter Meenu (Mehwish Hayat) captures his courtroom speechifying on film and the two embark on a series of public interest litigations, picking up some powerful enemies on the way. The plot requires a certain suspension of belief; social injustices are painted with a broad brush and facile solutions indicate that this is the stuff of fantasy. The plot gives Qureshi ample room to pull in scenes about societal issues ranging from Eve-teasing to political slogans being painted on walls. The movie is a solid entertainer, full of in-jokes & conspicuous satire which manages to transcend its predictable plot. In general, Actor in Law is an amusing romp. Nabeel Qureshi Director has delivered another firmly Karachi-centric film, full of familiar landmarks and the energy of the city. It’s not a story that will grip you, but Actor in Law is tremendously funny, beautifully made and enjoyable.