Ramchand Pakistani Movie Review 3.5 Stars

India and Pakistan may have their problems, but once in a while along comes a film like Ramchand Pakistani that forces us all into acknowledgment of not just our common culture with our neighbours in the North West, but the common cost of human suffering. Ramchand Pakistani manages to touch upon a number of issues relevant to both nations, while simultaneously acting as a marker of the increasingly superior output from 'Lollywood' that is deserving of our undivided attention.

Based on a true story, Syed Fazal Hussain plays seven-year-old Ramchand, who belongs to a Dalit Hindu underprivileged family that dwells in a small village in the Thar desert, situated uncomfortably close to the India-Pakistan border. The boy and his father accidentally stray across the border in 2002 when hostilities are at an all-time high between the two nations and soon find themselves in a very bad position.. [...]


With a cast of extremely talented actors and shot at the hauntingly beautiful desert countryside along the border, Ramchand Pakistani proves to be a film worthy of remembrance. After Pakistani music then, it seems to be the right time for us to open up a bit more to Pakistan's burgeoning and talented film industry...more on rediff


Having said that, you can't turn a blind eye to the discrepancies in the screenplay. A few portions running parallel to the story just don't hold. Wish the director would've concentrated on the main issue, instead of deviating into unwanted tracks, like the female jailor's [Maria Wasti] relationship with one of the guards, or the helpless mother's [Nandita Das] secret admirer [Noman Ijaz].

RAMCHAND PAKISTANI is also watchable due to the fine performances delivered by just about everyone in its cast. But it works mainly due to Syed Fazal Hussain's sterling act as the young Ramchand. He conveys the pathos and helplessness with aplomb. Even the grown-up Ramchand, Navaid Jabbar, is equally competent.

Nandita Das is efficient. Rashid Farooqui [Ramchand's father] is equally competent. Pakistani actors Noman Ijaz, Shahoor and Maria Wasti -- popular names on Pakistani TV circuit - deliver fine performances.

On the whole, RAMCHAND PAKISTANI is a simple story well told. Business-wise, the problem is that it faces a strong opposition from two major releases this week. Besides, a film like RAMCHAND PAKISTANI caters to a select audience, which means that it might go unnoticed in the domestic circuit.

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