The release of Lahore Se Aagey (LSA) has not only given hope to film-makers who were wondering whether a Pakistani flick can pull it off in the absence of Bollywood fare but also saved Pakistan’s cinema industry from certain death. Reportedly, single-screen cinemas were near closure while multiplexes remained near-empty in most parts of the country. Director Wajahat Rauf’s comedy caper has sort of given them a new lease on life.

Before reading about the film or watching LSA itself, one must understand that not all films are made for everyone. That’s why you have to buy a ticket, something that you don’t have to do to watch television. Trailers are aired to attract the ‘target’ audience and those who don’t get pulled in by them simply don’t buy the cinema tickets. If they do and are dissatisfied with the type of film, it’s not the producer’s fault but their own. LSA ticks all the boxes for those who have grown up watching desi comedy films. For others it might be better to sit this one out.

This spin-off of Karachi Se Lahore (KSL) revolves around the lives of Moti (Yasir Hussain) and Tara (Saba Qamar) who find themselves in a fix that involves a stupid fiancé, greedy aunt, dying uncle, a couple of filmi target killers and a talent competition. The Tara-Moti combination runs from Lahore to Swat and while they try their best to stay out of trouble, somehow it always ends up finding them.

Lahore Se Aagey will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you liked its prequel, you will probably enjoy its brand of comedy and masala

Just as KSL was not the first road-trip film in the history of Pakistani cinema [1970’s Road to Swat was], LSA isn’t the first sequel [1987’s Son of Andaata was the sequel to 1976’s Andaata]. However, both KSL and LSA revived the genres and Wajahat Rauf must be commended for the effort.

On the other hand, the writer Yasir Hussain targets the same audience that loved KSL and succeeds despite some below-the-belt, vulgar jokes. Yasir is also given a tough time in acting by ‘debutante’ Saba Qamar who looks beautiful and takes your breath away in some scenes.

LSA is undoubtedly Tara’s film with Moti being a sidekick who stammers in speech but is quick in everything else. Umar Sultan’s Amitabh Bachchan is one of the ‘must watch’ characters in the movie as he talks, walks and delivers his dialogues just like Big B. Theatre veteran Abdullah Farhat finally makes a film appearance as a gora villain while British import Mubashir Malik has nothing much to offer besides looking like a poor man’s John Abraham.

LSA has its flaws. There are continuity issues in this road-trip flick which, had they been addressed, could have helped cut down its run time. Then there are the ‘celebrity jokes’ which could appeal to the audience if they know their celeb gossip, such as which actresses love to dance.

Aima Baig is the voice of Saba Qamar in all of her three songs and she impresses us with variety: in Kalabaaz she immaculately copies Rekha Bharadwaj while sounding like herself in the rest. Aashir Wajahat’s Tere Bina reminds us of Strings but it would have had a better impact had it appeared after Laga Lo in the film; in fact, it could have even been a part of the talent competition (in which Aashir Wajahat appears as a participant). This way it would not have seemed forcibly inserted at all.

The soundtrack and background score by Shiraz Uppal is impressive. The cinematography by Asrad Khan is good but could have been better; he managed to capture the beauty of our northern region well but still couldn’t beat Rana Kamran who aced it in Janaan.

LSA has its flaws. There are continuity issues in this road-trip flick which, had they been addressed, could have helped cut down its run time. Then there are the ‘celebrity jokes’ which could appeal to the audience if they know their celeb gossip, such as which actresses love to dance. Cameo appearances by some celebrities is a good way to thank friends — something that happens in India but isn’t yet the norm in Pakistan.

The one thing that disappoints massively in LSA is the placement of products, something that already excessive in KSL as well and is downright irritating in the spin-off.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 20th, 2016