You cannot show a movie to an audience which is used to watching Dhoom 3 kind of movies where a rikshaw breaks the wall. Just as not many can enjoy the masterpiece movies of Wes Anderson. So the tweets that the article has mentioned should be taken off as there are many people who are appreciating the movie. One or two cinemas can't decide the fate.

Pakistanis just can't bear Pakistanis. They must b happy watching English and Hindi movies. The drama must have been staged by Shan's opponents, God knows when such hatred politics will end in our country....on every single thing.

Bang Bang box office collection: Indian Rs 201.5 cr worldwide in five days. :)

How is this even news worthy.

"People did not like the film, possibly because it was an English film,". Wow, Pakistan seems as highly literate country. Not just literate but also fluent in English. Maybe the film will be hit abroad.

If this is in retribution to WAAR, I will fully support the audience. I watched WAAR for the first time today on ARY, and was totally disgusted.

Oh what a film .. I still headache and have already taken 21 pills.

It is really sad to read that the film was supposedly taken down because it was in English. We should be ashamed at ourselves as a nation, this is a point where stock should be taken of our literacy rate which is nowhere to be seen actually. This is ridiculous when majority of the population wants to see a senseless masala movie with stupid item numbers. One more thing that I noticed when promotion was going on for these movies to be released around Eid, there was lot of back biting going on since one movie was coming from Lahore and the other was from Khi, if this goes on there will be no cinema revival. If this kind of attitude persists we will be the laughing stock which actually already we are because of various other reasons. It is time to grow up otherwise what little is left will be lost.

Waar was amateurish propaganda but technically well made. 021 is probably more of the same as folks didn't want another Waar.

How shameful, we are actually feeling happy of the incident. Give another reason to the people across the border to make fun of us. Sometimes I really wonder if we are even worthy of calling ourselves a nation. Wake up all of you, something like this happens each and every Pakistani is insulted.

@Rizu, relax no need to take 21 pills, have mercy on yourself, self medication is harmful for health.

Maybe it would've been better if they used subtitles in Urdu aswell? Usually people can atleast read Urdu if nothing else. And I don't know this aversion of masala movies even with item songs. Not all of them are bad . I don't know why we are so obsessed and judgemental about other people tastes. I am not defending the act which was wrong ofcourse but I just find it extremely annoying how everyone start lamenting the aesthetic sense of the entire nation

@shah clearly you haven't seen this movie yet. It's no where similar to Waar except Shaan and Shamoon starring in both.

Exploitation movies, enough said. Audiences are smarter these days even in Pakistan.

I dont understand why these films must be in the english language in the first place. I have not seen the film yet, but it seems to be a film about terrorism, so would it not be a good idea to educate the masses and get the idea across in a language they actually understand?

Ye Kaum jahil aur behis hai.. In ko dikhao Kick jaisi movies.. Jis mai Salman urr raha ho aur aik punch se paanch paanch log mar jaein...they dont deserve good cinema... jahalat ki koi limit nahi... Bang Bang.. what a joke it was.... wasted hr n a half of my precious life...

Why to release the movie in English only? It can be dubbed in Urdu as well to suit the masses.

They must release the movie in Urdu ... Waar could do more business as well if its in Urdu as well... New film makers should learn from this...

@alladitta film makers should release it in Urdu for locals as well

look on other country like indian there PM mr moodi use his own language in frant of more than 100 countries leadership but but our PM feel shame use own language . its not matter we understand english or not its matter why we use our own language ?we now our litercy level not to high like other countries but atleat give entertainment in own language

PLZ DONT SHOW THE NEGITIVITY ITS HAPPEN IN TWO CINEMA WHICH WERE NOT INTELLEGENT PEOPLE CINEMA .I LIKE IT MAN .ITS GREAT IN MULTIPLEX

@Rana Muhammad Usman why censor the tweets? people complained about the amount of english in the movie.

I just fail to understand why do directors/producers dont dub engish sequences in Urdu as well when they are well aware of the mass audiences heading to the cinemas. Theres a reason why every Bollywood movie having foreign characters shows them speaking their native language Hindi fluently, and the reason is audience know how. The director might have done a brilliant job behind the camera and on screen, but he failed the masses in front of the screen. Better luck next time I guess.

@Rana Muhammad Usman Nobody is deciding the fate of the movie, but If I were to tell you that a so-and-so French movie is one of the best and you get a copy of the movie without even subtitles to draw lines as to whats happening in the movie, your reaction to the movie would be similar to those of Bambino and Capri audiences, only in a civilized way. Your reaction wouldnt decide the movie's fate, as there would be many who completely understood the movie, but your experience and the time you invested in it will be wasted.

Who gives anyone the right to resort to hooliganism just because the movie wasnt in Urdu. The promos of the movie were never in Urdu. I fail to understand how were the audience taken by surprise. Isnt it the director/producer's prerogative to choose whatever language they please.

Being a karachite, i can tell you that bambino and capri cenemia are the place where "Na maloom afrad" type gentry come and watch movie. Ofcourse they wont understand operation 021 and the message behind it.

@Kashif I agree.

@alladitta Just for your information literacy doesn't come from English language. check if there are countries with literay rates more than 90% but speaking no English language

Point 1: Viewers aggression in cinema is condemnable; did cinema plead / pull them to watch movie and warranted it would entertain them? Would audience do the same to a shop they bought a new drink from and didn't like? I think the best way of protestation is to discourage others Point 2: Considering intellect level of Majority Pakistanis, we can't expect it to comprehend a quality script. I believe they would do the same if cinema exhibited The Dark Knight or The Shawshank Redemption. Nevertheless, recent success of Movies like Waar, Khua K leye builds hopes they trend is going towards movies with creative plots ...

Unbelievable negativity in Pakistan nowdays...

It is very wonderful movie! Keep going Pakistan

@ Rana Muhammad Usman - Do not blame Dhoom 3, actually pakistani audiencies are used to watching Shaan with GANDASA in his hands as WEHSHI GUJJAR. It is the same thoery which sells in Pakistan, if anything goes wrong balme it on India and it has taken you nowhere. Carry on like this and keep making OSCAR worthy movies each month. I am feeling jealous

This is a totally confusing article...after reading it twice I am still not sure if the film did not have a good story or "People did not like the film, possibly because it was an English film," ? If it's not a good story thats just a norm, but not being able to digest an English film, one shouldnt have bought tickets for that then right ?

Another event created by foreign media to discredit Pakistani film industry. Shaan is gaining name and fame everyday and is very close to becoming a major Hollywood star. He is currently in talks with dream works studios about a movie based on events of 2006-2007. When will this cowardly attempt to bring down Pakistan's talent down?

Movies are commercial products that have to appeal to the consumer, otherwise the investment will and surely take a hit. Simple economics. Yes, if you are trying to make art, then sell it to art lovers, not common folks. And please do not critique the intelligence of the common folks they are the one who will revive the cinema, not those who sit in comforts of their home and watch it on TV.

When situation like this happens i remember vidya balans dialogue from The Dirty Picture -cinema sirf 3 cheezo se chalti hain entertainment,entertainment aur entertainment

strangely enough, PTI did not rush to take credit for this!

people are use to the same old maula jatt or punjabi movie type action. totally agree with rana muhammad usman comments.

I'm suprised the audience didn't start shouting Go nawaz go! Go nawaz go

Really ? Is the movie in English ? so how many of the 200M in Pakistan speak the language ?

we should support our cinema even if the films are not upto the mark. Many indian films are flop but i have never seen this reaction then.

This is precisely what is wrong with Pakistan today. Civil society backs down immediately when there is show of violence by hooligans. I mean really, you don't like the movie so you start throwing bottles like barbarians?! And the fact that the theaters gave in to this bullying is sad. You should confiscate the bottles, call the police, get people to see that this kind of immature, uncivilized behaviour is not tolerated in a public space. Someone could've been seriously injured! But no, instead the cinemas backed down, just like our cities and country when there is a bombing by a few crazy fanatics. We should stand up against such uncalled for violence!

Very unusual and interesting mass reaction. Psychologists and sociologists should analyse it. Obviously there was gross mismatch between the product and public expectations.

Why would one make a movie in English to be screened in Pakistan? It is not only hypocritical ,phony but comical. There is a saying "kauwa chala hans ki chaal appni chaal be bhula.

I'm pretty sure this move will be hit in English speaking countries. I would suggest to dub this movie in Urdu, because majority of Pakistani who don't understand English. If Pakistani movie directors making movies in English for Pakistanis, they should ask Government of Pakistan, Education Department to make English mandatory in all the school, regardless if they are government own or private school.

@Najeeb You wouldn't find Urdu movie by a French producer... would you? And if an Urdu movie was shown to French audience, it will probably face the same fate. The movie should have been in Urdu and then dubbed in English for foreign audience.

If english is the problem, that should not be hard to fix ! and I pitty the people compare stuff like "Bang Bang" to quality productions!

@Shakir Hussain 1) Pakistani movie directors have not developed a distribution etwork in English speaking countries like US, UK or Australia, so unlikely it will be a hit movie there. It might not even be screened there. 2) the notion that government of Pakistan should change its education policy just because some producers choose to make movies in English without bothering to dub them or at least provide Urdu sub titles is absolutely laughable.

I am amazed at this... It was such a well made film with awesome acting by all actors.... Full marks to the film....

Waar was in English too. I got irritated by their English. Imagine the people who cannot speak English. I guess the people have spoken.

It is silly to have a Pakistani movie in English. Urdu is such a beautiful language…why lose out on the beauty by translating into English? Obviously the people will reject what they cannot relate to.

@Rana Muhammad Usman So true!!!! Totally agree with you and Dr. Sadaf.

@AJamal Agreed! WAAR is an awful film, basing its entire storyline on hatred for a neighbouring country. That aside, its has numerous other not so subtle references to (perceived) character traits of 'loose' men and women. The violent scenes are beyond awful (copied from the Godfather), perhaps its just as well that the Islamabad Cineplex automated telephone booking system was not working two days in a row, and I was not able to get a ticket. Will try and go see Namaloom Afraad later today. Wish me luck!

021 was a great movie, loved to watch it, not fantasy or fiction based, a real movie. good to see Pakistani cinema is growing beautifully, this is something i can proudly say our movie. hats off to the entire team.

Being an Indian, I am eagerly waiting to watch this movie. The reviews are so good. Why don't Pakistani audience appreciate such movies which have got such good story-line and acting? I understand that English may be the issue, but simple sub-titles would have helped. Nevertheless, irrespective of what Pakistani audiences feel, I am still waiting to watch this movie. Seems to be of a different genre altogether. BTW, I have watched Waar, Khuda Ke Liye and like those movies pretty much although I am not much of a fan of Pakistani movies in general. The ones that are good are simply superb. Keep up the good work, guys.

I dont watch pakistani movies.. But i am going to watch this one specially

@Dr. Sadaf, A majority of the film viewers, particularly on Eid holidays, belongs to labor class. Shan is very popular among those. As they couldn't understood it, they felt it cheated. It can be released with Urdu dubbing. This shouldn't be a rather serious issue...

O21 is an excellent movie, people well appreciated this movie this article and those tweets are base less. bang bang is 100% copied movie from tom cruise movie knight and day.

It clearly shows the low mentality of people living now days.

@Dr. Sadaf Uncle,,if people don't like a movie it doesn't mean that they are anti-nationalist.... Cool down uncle...

@ruliaram5 You ask, "Why would one make a movie in English to be screened in Pakistan? " Well, for the same reason that one publishes an English daily such as Dawn, or writes a novel in English as Mohsin Hamid does.

Ohh PLEAAZZZZ... stop calling 021 a master piece or 'message behind it'. 021 or even WAAR are only well made Maula Jatt type films. Hopefully non actor shaan would not be able to cash the exploitation films any further.

Must be some "na malloom afrad" send to cinema causing this deliberately. Silly attempt to malign Pakistan's rising cinema.

I am with the people over this thing. Not everyone can speak English. Moreover, they try to copy GORA accent which ruins the thing even more. I can understand the GORAS English better than that of Pakistanis. I our industry shouldn't make English films yet as people like it more in their native language. We should promote Urdu instead of English.

Only Lahore made films have proper mass appeal. WAAR was run by media while it was headache.

Just watched this movie and I must say that Lollywood is maturing a mile ahead of its neighboring industry. For any viewer, the first part of the movie required their patience, however the second part was where the story picked its motion. Having said all this, I think this movie if marketed well should do well abroad Pakistan. Most of the dialogues of this movie were in English, where as it is difficult for the general Pakistani masses to digest such hard stuff, where they are used to tea with suger. I think it should have been dubbed in Urdu for a common Pakistani man and the current version should have been there to target the intellectual class. I hope the director and producer learns from this experience. Summing it up, I must say the effort was very much commendable and the movie does show the realities being faced by the Afghan nation and the similar corporate dilemma is also being faced by the people of Pakistan in Balochistan. In short,... Team O21.. Well Done..

I watched the film with my family and all of us loved it. It is not a run of the mill affair, which might explain the above reaction from some audiences. To fully appreciate this film one has to be into the sophisticated spy thriller genre (a la John le Carre) and also have some knowledge of regional politics and the "big game(s)". Much of the dialogue is in English and Farsi/Pushto with subtitles in English so that could be another reason for the audience's frustration.

@Dr. Sadaf wow, lady you took the comment to a whole new level. From making our whole nation ashamed on not understanding "Angreezi" to the racism between LHR and KHI. If you really are good movie enthusiast, than you should have known that even the masterpieces from legendary filmmakers always have bad reviews too. Anyways, the liking or disliking is solely a subjective matter. You can't generalize it on each and every person of a group. I guess WAAR was the very first Pakistani movie, I was excited to watch but after watching the first 15 minutes of the movie, I was completely disgusted. Over the top visuals and effects and "Angreezi". There was just too much glamour in there. I just can't comprehend the fact that why couldn't we produce the same movie in Urdu? what bad would it do? instead of making it open to "more" (you will read ignorant) public? Take Korean cinema for example. They produce movies which are then later remade by Hollywood filmmakers. Have you ever seen any Korean movie in English? That's the sick mentality that exist in sub-continent only prevailed by status quo like you :). And if there is any competition between a LHR and kHI movie than I guess it is a healthy competition, there's nothing bad about it. The "NMA" seems light funny movie and I would definitely watch it whenever I get chance, but WAAR.. no way. O21, very very slight chance as it seems like following WAAR formula to make some bucks.

I couldn't sit through the whole movie and felt cheated by the hype. It is not 'too intelligent for the audience' as the apologists have said, it simply doesn't hold together as a movie. The producers are to blame, picking the wrong people to make it and bad choices like making it in (bad) English.

Bad selection of putting up at capri type cinemas. Target market should have been kept in mind before the movie was scheduled in the cinemas. How can People who have pushto or typical indian movie taste can digest such movies?

o21 is way better than masala bollywood movies. I recommend everyone to must watch it.

I havent watched the movie yet but i watched Waar and throughout the movie i kept thinking.. this would have been so much better in Urdu.. we talk about the revival of the cinema but how can it be done with films that cannot be understood properly by the masses?... And its not even an issue of understanding, many times the English of characters was quite irritating except a few of the lead cast... So why do movie makers choose to make it in a language that just doesnt feel natural? its like they have an inferiority complex that if they dont speak English the people will think they are dumb.. (sadly this mindset does exist in our country)

Humari qaom india ki jhooti films daikhnay ki aadi ho gaee hain. Jinhon nay is movie ko utarwaya hai woh apni qismat par roengay. This movie is a super hit as it has collected more in 3 days than what waar has collected till now.

@M.Bilal Making Movie in English help us release that globally as the subject is already understood by the natives but what we actually want to promote internationally is the message which is shown in the movie. We all locals are already aware of such facts but foreigners are not and through media we can change their mindset as that's' what controlling the minds of the people since long.

@Maria sorry, but, your excuse is lame. Have you ever heard of the movies "Infernal Affairs", "A separation". If you haven't then FYI these are not Hollywood movies, these are Korean and Iranian respectively and both are made in their local languages. Instead, they made a huge mark on the international level. You can search around on google to verify my comments. Actually there is one thing called subtitles which you can utilize to make it understandable to the people from different culture/ region who don't understand our language. Please mind that I have just mentioned two movies out of plethora of them.

It's not just that there were no subtitles or the subtitles, which are now there, are being poorly presented. The primary reason which Dawn fails to highlight is the majorly flawed sound design. The dialogues are barely audible and get drowned in supporting sounds. This is a technical fault. And along with the filmmakers the cinemas should be held responsible for screening a defective film.