Some movies needs mute affirmation for its appreciation, some needs delightful smile for its appreciation, some needs series of claps for its appreciation, some needs standing ovation for its appreciation, and some needs never-ending celebration for its appreciation. Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Ke Liye(2007) is one such movie for which even never-ending celebration won’t be enough for its appreciation.
Khuda Ke Liye(2007) depicts religious conflicts between Muslim fundamentalists and the modern liberal Pakistani Muslims, cultural conflicts between Muslim elders and modern young generation, and troubles faced by Muslims especially in the USA after 9/11.
Story
Two brothers, Mansoor(Shaan) and Sarmad(Fawad Khan) are upcoming modern music talent in the Pakistan. In the troublesome times, Sarmad is being brainwashed by his old extremist friend Shershah(Hameed Sheikh) with the help of local priest, Moulana Tahiri(Rasheed Naz) on the path of God.
Meanwhile, Mansoor’s uncle(Humayun Kazmi) arrives from the UK with his daughter, Mary(Iman Ali). Mary wanted to marry her Christian boyfriend against her father’s wishes, who himself has a live-in relationship with British lady. He brings her to Pakistan to marry her with Muslim man to avoid any disgrace in his Muslim social group. Mary’s father first asks for Mansoor but he refuses because of his future music aspirations. Mansoor soon leaves for the United States for higher education.
Since Mary didn’t wanted to marry any Muslims, Mary’s father ask for Sarmad’s help and with the local Muslim priest’s help, Shershah trucks her to his village in a tribal area near Afghanistan and forces her to get married to Sarmad. They force her to change her name from Mary to Maryam. She tries to escape but Shershah and Sarmad follow her and brings her back to the village. What will happen to Mary? Will she able to free herself?
In the mean time, during Mansoor’s study years in US, the tragic events of 9/11 take place. In a long array of investigations and arrests, Mansoor gets arrested by the American authorities because of his Muslim roots. What will happen to Mansoor? Will he able to prove himself innocent?
Analysis
I often wonder what would be the real meaning behind Khuda Ke Liye words(English translation - For God’s Sake). It has ambiguous meanings. It has different meanings depends on which side you belong on either side of extreme religion. For the religious institutions and extremists, it means - Khuda Ke Liye don’t wear modern dress and always cover your face, Khuda Ke Liye do prayer 5 times a day doesn’t matter where you are, Khuda Ke Liye don’t play music, and on and on. For the modern people who believes in freedom, it means - Khuda Ke Liye don’t force us to go to Masjid, Khuda Ke Liye don’t marry me someone I don’t know, Khuda Ke Liye protect me from the religious extremists, Khuda Ke Liye respect other religions, and on and on.
Khuda Ke Liye is considered as biggest block-buster of Pakistan film industry and no movie moved Pakistani people intellectually, politically, or religiously like this movie in recent times. Since Khuda Ke Liye is an Urdu movie and its comparison to Indian movies is straightforward, after watching this film, I personally believe it is at par with some of the most celebrated recent Indian movies like Black Friday, Chak De India, Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, and Harazon Khwahishoyen Aisi.
Anyone watching Khuda Ke Liye will be stunned, touched, moved, and above all will be enlightened. Every situation in the movie is relevant with current decayed political, social, and religious situations all over the world. Movie depicts Muslim fundamentalists and their influence on liberal Pakistan. It also tackles Muslim influence on American Psyche and how any brown person can be treated as terrorists. Khuda Ke Liye is a universal in its appeal. It can be take place anywhere be it in India with Hindu and Muslim fundamentalists, Middle East with Muslim extremists, Europe with Christian extremists, and racism in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. I have always hated extremists doesn’t matter they are Hindus, Muslims, or Christians. I have always hated religious institutions, human gods, and religious caretakers, and Khuda Ke Liye supports my belief.
Khuda Ke Liye is a hard-hitting rebellious film. It has full of thought-provoking nerve-wrecking moments. Many of the scenes especially Mary’s father’s double standards towards himself and for her daughter, Sarmad’s brainwashing and transformation from liberal to fundamentalist, Mary’s kidnapping and her marriage with Sarmad, Mansoor’s music life in Chicago, Mansoor’s arrest and subsequent scenes in US Jail, Iman Ali’s visit to Nasseruddin’s house, and Iman Ali’s court case and Nasseruddin’s preaching message are brilliant piece of cinema.
Although Khuda Ke Liye is blessed by brilliant actors, three of them stand out with unforgettable performances. Pakistan’s biggest model Iman Ali is flawless as Mary or Maryam. She is one of the most stunningly beautiful actresses I have seen in my life. Shaan as modern upcoming Pakistani singer Mansoor is best among male performances. Just watch out for his scenes in US jail where he confronts white officers. Movie’s most surprising factor, Naseeruddin Shah as Moulana Wali has biggest impact on the movie’s overall message delivery. He performs powerful cameo where he plays a Muslim scholar who delivers profound political and social message and clarifies often misunderstood and misinterpreted messages of Islam.
Any Hindi cinema music lover will be impressed by thundering soulful music of Khuda Ke Liye. It has catchy tunes, mind-blowing music, mind-boggling lyrics, and brilliant mixture of classical and western melodies. All of them Allah Hoo, Mahi Ve, Bandya, Duniya Ho, Hamaray Hain, Tiluk Kamod, Janie Janie, and Khuda Ke Liye are masterpieces. My pick of the soundtracks is Tiluk Kamod showing power of music in world harmony. Song itself is a bhajan and Mansoor starts with classical tunes on Piano and later other students from different part of world joins Mansoor with their own instruments. The conversation from classical tunes to western tunes is simply masterful. Above all, song lyrics depict the flirtatious life of Radha and Krishna making it one of the most memorable moments of the film.
Conclusion
Everyone wants to be good human. Overall we understand our responsibility towards family, society, religious harmony, and world growth but once in a while we need a reminder. Movies like Khuda Ke Liye forces to us to think our role in society, our role as father, our role as a brother, our role as a fellow countryman, our role towards another religion, and our role towards another race ultimately turning us into great human. This film is must see and one of the best movies of modern world cinema.