Don’t we all love space odysseys?

Turns out Pakistani director Saeed Rizvi loved them a little more than the rest. The veteran director released Pakistan’s first sci-fi film Shanee, complete with special effects, on March 10 in 1989.

The cast featured prominent actors like Babra Sharif, Muhammad Ali and Sherry Malik. Music was looked after by musician Anjum.

The story revolves around a couple: Babra Sharif as Hina and Sherry Malik as her beau, Shanee. However, a notorious villain kills Shanee and Hina is left only to hope that her beau will return one day. During this time, a spaceship visits earth and leaves behind an alien. This alien decides take on Shanee's physical appearance then, well, marries Hina.

Babra Sharif in an oncoming train's path — Screen grab from Shanee
Babra Sharif in an oncoming train's path — Screen grab from Shanee

But that’s not it — the film uses special effects that weren't seen in Pakistani films before 1989. During a fight sequence, Shanee breaks and then yanks off someone's arm and prevents a train from running Hina over — thanks to his super vision.

Shanee in a fight sequence — Screen grab from Shanee
Shanee in a fight sequence — Screen grab from Shanee

It becomes really amusing when it turns out that Hina's pregnant and has her baby in a moving train without any help whatsoever. We won't say whether Hina finally realises who Shanee really is... we're not a fan of spoilers! That being said the film totally fits the bill if you want to laugh all day long.

The melodramatic sci-fi is flick bagged seven Nigar Awards and was a hit in its time.

Opinion

Editorial

Upholding rights
27 Jul, 2024

Upholding rights

EVEN a perceived threat to civil rights and freedom of expression undermines democracy; it impedes the enforcement ...
Brutal crime
27 Jul, 2024

Brutal crime

THE horrific incident of a woman allegedly gang-raped in front of her husband and three-year-old daughter near...
Back in parliament
27 Jul, 2024

Back in parliament

MORE than two years after MNAs loyal to former prime minister Imran Khan fatefully resigned from the legislature...
Judicial constraints
Updated 26 Jul, 2024

Judicial constraints

The fact that it is being prescribed by the legislature will be questioned, given the political context.
Macabre spectacle
26 Jul, 2024

Macabre spectacle

Israel knows that regardless of the party that wins the presidency, America’s ‘ironclad’ support for its genocidal endeavours will continue.