Front seat: Inside job

In Shahzad Ghufoor’s directorial debut, the only way to ‘fix’ The System is to ‘join’ it

One of the newer films to hit local cinemas, The System is an action-thriller based on the corrupt ‘system’ prevalent in Pakistan — in which the affluent go scot-free after committing a crime while meting out ‘punishment’ to the innocent.

Haider Ali plays the character of Sheraz, a young man from the lower-middle class, son of a cleric (played by Nadeem) and in love with Sara (played by Shiza), the daughter of a corrupt government official. One fine day, on his way home from school, Sheraz is caught and detained by the police, along with his classmates, on bogus charges. The area SHO (played by Shafqat Cheema) beats him up and demands a heavy bribe for his release from his helpless father whom he humiliates by saying, “Yeh masjid nahin thana hai jahan mera hukam chalta hai!” The boy is released after his uncle, Abdul Hafeez, pays the bribe.

The incident leaves an impression on young Haider who is quite disturbed and takes it upon himself to fight this unjust system. He studies hard and qualifies in the CSS exams and eventually clinches the position of ASP. As fate would have it, he gets posted in the same SHO’s area and decides to teach him a lesson. However, instead of doing away with the system he wanted to fight, he becomes a part of it and demands his share of the bribes the SHO collects from the criminal gangs operating in his area.

Sheraz’s behaviour comes to the notice of the Chief Minister who decides to become involved, and at one point, even tries to teach Sheraz a lesson. Eventually, our hero’s conscience awakens and he realises that the whole system is wrong — it’s built in a way that even those who want to reform it, get sucked into it and adopt its corrupt practices. He then, in true James Bond style, defeats the forces of ‘evil’ and declares, “Iss system ko badlna hoga. Iss system ko ab mere saath chalna ho ga.”

The System has a good screenplay and musical score, promising new talent and employs the latest digital technology. The film does not feature any of the usual masala such as mujras, excessive blood and gore, etc. It is a ‘message-oriented’ film written keeping in mind the current socio-political scenario and highlights police brutality and a corrupt-to-the-core political hierarchy.

Although the film portrays Pakistan, it has been shot in Norway because of the fact that both the producer and director are based there. The young and talented director Shahzad Ghufoor has managed to capture the beautiful locales of Norway that add to the film’s visual appeal. He has received training in film direction from the US and is a distributor of Hindi movies in Norway.

Newcomers like Haider Ali are badly needed in our film industry to replace the old breed of actors such as Moammar Rana, Saud, Rambo etc. Having said that, Haider’s acting isn’t entirely up to the mark — he desperately needs to work on his expressions. Although Shiza’s role as Sara remains marginalised throughout the film, she’s proven that even when given a little space, she can deliver a good performance.

On the downside, the director unfortunately fails to realise that in order to cater to female audiences, a film must feature a generous dose of songs and romance. The director misses the mark here to a large extent. But then, this is a directorial debut, so some oversight can be forgiven.

Furthermore, it boggles the mind as to how a Chief Minister can be shown as helpless while dealing with an ASP, especially since he enjoys supreme power in the (dare we say) ‘system’? The film loses much of its weight in the scenes showing this. Having said that, with all of its faults, The System makes for a satisfying watch.

The System: Clichéd but needed

The film turns out to be a fresher extension of the lollywood culture and not the new wave of Pakistani films.

LAHORE: 

The System is a Lollywood action drama film, directed by Norway-based Shahzad Ghufoor. The film, starring Sheraz, Kashaf Ali, Nadeem Baig, Shafqat Cheema, Irfan Khoosat and Nayyar Ejaz is set in a neighbourhood in Lahore and focuses on the corrupt legal system and lingering social issues within Pakistani society.

Veteran actor, Nadeem Baig plays the character of a neighbourhood maulvi and is also the father of the protagonist of the film, Haider Ali, an unconventional looking commercial cinema character who looks to challenge the formations of localised corruption which start from the very bottom. The character is played by Shehraz a new edition to the Pakistani film fraternity. He brings out Pakistan’s own version of Salman Khan with his shirt-tearing actions and heroic dialogue, particularly (Iss system kay saath mein nahi chal sakta, ab system ko meray saath chalna paray ga [I can’t follow the system, the system will have to follow me).

After last year’s buzz surrounding the action-intensive film Waar, there has been an on-going divide over the potentialities of localised commercial thrillers which have both, easy consumption value and also a relatable character that can reach the diverse and divided audiences across the country.

When speaking about Pakistani cinema, it’s about the small gains. It is commendable how Ghafoor managed to release and make the film in under a year. The director successfully brought his own stylistic value and emphasised on the quality, something that has been missing from Lahore for several years. Utilising flashbacks and simple narratives, he has been able to bring cinematic quality.

The film builds on the narratives given through the 1980s and 1990s; action-thrillers which focus on masculinity and machismo laced with moralism, which have become inherent to the culture of nationalism that has developed over the last couple of years.

The rival of the protagonist is corrupt police officer played by Shafqat Cheema. Ali fights against a corrupt legal system which has negative impacts on society. In an attempt to take down this system, Ali becomes part of the system itself by joining the police force.  Even Ali’s love interest, whose character is played by Kashaf Ali, is the daughter of a corrupt inspector in another government office (Irfan Khoosat).

Ali becomes the unlikely anti-hero, as he works his way up the policy ladder and infiltrates the network of corruption which leads its way up to the Chief Minister (Nayyer Ijaz). He then tries to obliterate the corrupt individuals who have sold the nation for money and power.

The film does not have a shortage of talent and Shehraz has proven himself to be promising and determined. A lot was expected from the supporting cast of villains in the film, considering the vast amount of experience that people such as Nayyar Ijaz hold, more depth could have been added to the characters they played. Cheema, however, acted brilliantly.

The film has moments where the story is unnecessarily stretched; however the score keeps you engaged throughout the film. The music of the film was composed in India and has four songs; each of them is different from the other. It’s a shame that the energetic dance number called Naughty Saiyyan sung by Supriya Ramalingam and Mohit Pathak is not being played in every neighbourhood in the country.

The film fits in the tradition of Lollywood which has long been looking for its time back in the spotlight. This will be an interesting and original experiment of commercial cinema which the masses will be able to connect to.

Verdict: The System is as poignant as the trailer of the film, full of sound and fury signifying nothing in terms of content but spot on stylistically. Shehraz however is a good contribution to the league of Pakistani actors and given the time can prove to be one of the better new faces.

The System’s pre-release hype creates hope and anticipation

The System cast and crew at the launching ceremony of the film’s music. PHOTOS: FILE

LAHORE: 

Film launches are essentially a media spectacle. The scale of the spectacle generally attributes how the pre-film hype is going to add to the long-term momentum of the film.

The comparatively grand music and trailer launch of the Pakistani film The System did just that; it left the people anticipating whether the film will be worth all its hype.

With a budget of sixty million, The System is slated to release in May and an Indian music producer has been hired to give the music. Interestingly, the film is a sort of a redemption case for Ghafoor Butt; the former president of the Producer’s Association, whose last filmKhamosh Raho was a complete failure. Butt had long been written off before this film; therefore, all eyes will be on him to see how he fares. The film is directed by his son Shahzad Ghafoor and stars his other son Sheraz.

Butt feels guilty that he had to go to India for the processing of the film and also because the music is an off shoot of the Bollywood music style, however, given the technological limitations back home, he had no other option. The film is currently completing its post-production in India.

“Last year, we saw the success of a film Waar this film is made in the same pattern, same technology and will be of the same caliber,” says Butt.

The film is entirely funded by Butt himself and he has intentionally avoided any outside funding.

The trailer shows the new look of actor Sheraz, who has worked relentlessly on improving his screen presence. Sheraz who will be seen in the leading role went through various training regiments to get in shape for the role of a macho man, who fights against social injustices. The film’s theme hovers on the systemic corruption which starts from various levels of society.

The rest of the cast includes Nadeem Baig, Kashaf Ali, Shafqat Cheema, Irfan Koshart, Kashaf Ali, Nayyar Ejaz, Rabia Tabassum, Saleem Shah, Saima Saleem, Mariyam Ali Hussain, and Saira. The screenplay has been written by Wajid Zuberi with additional input by Shahzad Ghafoor and Sheraz. The songwriting has been done by Indian lyricists Irfan Siddiqui and Mohit Pathak.

“We have tried to make a film that people will appreciate, and even after this we will continue to try and make good films,” says Sheraz. On working with his brother, he says that the thing that stood out was his dedication and passion for films. Besides Sheraz, the film includes a new female lead star Kashaf Ali, has an uninhibited flair about herself; Sheraz on the other hand is comparatively reserved.

“We aren’t trying to compete with other films; at this stage we just need more high quality films. It was great working with Shahzad because he has a passion for Pakistani film industry and cinema,” says Sheraz.

Film Cinema Owners Association’s president Zorraiz Lashari says that this film shows a continuity of the small gains that the film industry has received through Pakistani film. He adds that The System has all the characteristics of a potential box-office success.

The support for the film could be summed by the rare appearance of legendary actor Ejaz Durrani. For the last several years, he had curbed his public appearances. His speech was filled with nationalist rhetoric statements and advocated that Pakistani filmmakers can produce films and art comparable to international standards.

Introducing the muscle man

Shehraz’s fitness regime in preparation for his role has him working out thrice a day. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: 

Actor Shehraz is a man of few words. He is not your typical leading man, with conventional good looks. Instead, he is rugged and buff because of intense workouts.The System, a Lahore-based action thriller that released its teaser trailer last week, is bound to add to the growing hype surrounding the actor.

“I have always been interested in staying in shape, but for this film, I felt I had to transform myself,” says Shehraz. The trailer introduced the actor, who is making his debut.

Getting the perfect body has resulted in a rigorous diet and health regimen for Shehraz, who plays the lead role in the film, which is being directed by veteran Lollywood producer Ghafoor Butt’s son (and) Shehraz’s brother Shehzad Ghafoor. The film was first announced in the summer and began production in fall.

The trailer introduces Shehraz, a talented actor who, according to legendary actor Nadeem, along with other seniors connected to the film, grows in stature with every scene. Transforming his body meant developing a custom workout schedule, which began six months before the film’s shooting, and had Shehraz doing up to three workouts a day.

“My diet is very strict and I didn’t eat salts the last three months, so I would get quick and good results for my role.”

Set in Lahore, the film will explore how different forms of corruption at the local level permeate into everyday lives of middle-class families. The production team, which prides itself on being part of the revivalist cinema movement, looks to bring productions different from traditional Lahore-based ones that have been made in the past.

The film has been made with an approximate budget of Rs5 million and is shot with RED 2 cameras. Two songs have been shot in Norway and the film includes actors such as Shafqat Cheema, Nadeem Baig and Nayyer Ijaz. Three new female actors will be making their debut in the film.

This is not Shehraz’s first attempt at acting; he was previously seen in the film Khamosh Raho, which was produced by his father. The movie, unfortunately, was a cinematic failure — now known as the debut of Juggun Kazim in Lollywood. The film was directed by veteran director Altaf Hussain and featured Shehraz as the second lead behind Shaan.

“It was a learning process for me, which was important as I learnt a lot of things from that movie. I feel now, that as a newcomer, the role was maybe a wrong choice,” says Shehraz.

The experience has pushed him to work hard on his own acting skills and become more selective about the roles he chooses. “In the end, it gave me motivation to work much harder. I waited for a script that was different and suited my personality better,” says Shehraz.

“I am not really allowed to discuss my role, but it’s not a stereotypical or traditional role of a hero. The character is multi-dimensional and has to adapt to various situations in the film, which has made the character challenging to play.”

The film has finished its first cut and will be undergoing its final phase of production, including colour-grading, in India. The film’s associate director Awais Ahmed says the teaser trailer attempts to project a new feel when it comes to cinema from Lahore.

“We wanted to show that films can be made that are not dependent on one hero, so we have gone with new faces in the lead roles. Now, the question is whether the public will like it or not,” says Ahmed.

Film-maker hopes to change Lollywood clichés with The System

One scene of the movie illustrates a meet-up of mafia leaders organised by a police official. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

LAHORE: 

With Bol, Khuda Kay Liye and the recent Josh, our audience has seen an array of films on the injustice, corruption and moral conundrums that prevail in our society. These storylines have struck a chord with movie buffs as well as ordinary people as we can all relate to these issues on some level. In a similar vein, Norway-based Shehzad Ghafoor hopes to bring action-thriller The System — a movie that portrays how corruption affects the common man. The film’s shooting commenced about a week ago.

“A lot of films have been made in Lahore, so we are hoping to give these spaces different treatment,” says director Ghafoor, explaining how a scene was shot on top of the famed Panorama parking plaza on Mall Road along with other locations in order to provide a different viewpoint of the city. The System will be Ghafoor’s debut in feature films.

The first scene of the movie illustrates the film’s lead actor Shiraz Ghafoor (director’s brother) on the roof of the plaza, conducting a meet-up with the city’s mafia bosses. The huddle has been arranged by a corrupt senior police official played by Shafqat Cheema. “This location is unexposed and from the top of the plaza, you are able to get some top-shots — you get a feeling that you’re sitting on top of Lahore,” Ghafoor explains.

The System is all about changing the norms and clichés of the film industry — it’s what Lollywood stalwarts say will change the stigma around the dying business. The film gained attention as veteran director-cinematographer Syed Faisal Bukhari signed on as director of photography. Two songs have already been filmed in Norway and the team hopes to bring on set the expertise of Bollywood technicians.

Apart from Shiraz and Cheema, the cast also includes Nadeem Baig, Kashaf Ali (female lead) and a relatively less known actor Raees Patan. The latter has been a part of around 15 films but with the slight resurgence in the film industry, he admits his work has doubled. “It’s a nice change,” says Patan, who has normally been associated with regional films. “I think it’s the first time we have had the chance to work with the best technology and different storylines and ideas.”

“The time is of digital films now — we are talking about making films which have global relevance,” says Cheema, who has also been a part of  films like Bol, Chambaili and Main Hoon Shahid Afridi amongst other upcoming projects. “The time for small films is over. It’s now time for new talent to be given space. I think people will like Shiraz as a hero.”

Speaking about his role in the film, Cheema says the film allows him to explore a different type of character — one that is both negative and positive at the same time. “One who can leave his own spirit and get into a character that has been thought out for him — that is the sign of a good artist,” he explains.  “I am playing the role of a Station House Officer [SHO] who has a strong hold on the whole system. And through this control, he changes the system.”

Like his previous performances, Cheema feels the audience will appreciate the kind of role he is playing in The System, too.

In order to beat The System, you have to shoot it

Norway-based Pakistani distributor goes after big-budget film. DESIGN: SAMRA AAMIR

LAHORE: 

Pakistani cinema is going through a growth spurt. The Eid releases of several new films, Waar, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi, Ishq Khuda and Josh, are proving infectious and a Norway-based Pakistani distributor has announced that he is gearing up for a big-budget production titled The System.

Shehzad Ghafoor is the son of Ghafoor Butt, a distributor and producer of Pakistani cinema. However, Shehzad does own his own distribution company in Norway. Up until now he has mostly done business in Bollywood and Lollywood fare. The System will be his first film as a director but he does have some experience with smaller projects such as music videos and advertisements.

As its title suggests, The System is an action film that will focus on corruption, a hot favourite with Pakistani audiences. Shehzad’s brother Shiraz, who has helped with the plot, will play the lead and the cast includes big names such as Irfan Khoosat, Shafqat Cheema and Nadeem Baig.

“Our country’s film industry was on its way down,” says Shehzad. But he feels encouraged that it has changed in the last two years. “Last year when I visited, I came across a script which I liked and I thought why wait until times improve. We should start now.”

The System is set in a neighbourhood in Lahore and will telescope out from the everyday lives of a middle-class family to expose local corruption. Shehzad plans to begin shooting in September.

The challenge, now, however, will be to ensure that the production of the film meets a certain standard. Shehzad is in talks with Indian professionals for production support and hopes to shoot with the latest technology cameras. They will be using several names from Bollywood to help with the technical and musical elements.

“We are doing something unique, because we have hired a lot of the technical team from India,” says Shehzad. Four songs on the soundtrack will be produced in India, and will be directed by Shalesh Suwarma, with poetry from Bollywood’s lyricist Irfan Siddiqui. The tracks will include several leading singers such as Javed Ali, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Komal Rizvi, Palak Muchal, Mohit Pathak. Two of the film’s song videos will be shot in Norway.

The System will be a Norwegian film in Urdu, subtitled in English, Tamil and Hindi. While Shehzad believes that the market for Pakistani films in Europe and North America is still limited, he plans to release at an international level.

“The biggest issue for the market of Pakistani films is that there is no distributor for them,” he says. “Indian films have a distribution network, but Pakistanis have not been able to make that yet.” As a result, Pakistani film-makers have to take their film to each international market themselves due to the lack of distribution companies who could do the job for them.

Meanwhile, Shiraz who was also seen in Lollywood’s Khamosh Raho, says that his brother’s idea to undertake a large-scale project in Pakistan had been on their minds for almost a year. He feels that it is important to move beyond Lollywood’s clichéd themes and work towards what he describes as refined work. This does not mean, however, that they should not be accessible to the average movie-goer.

“Our goal is [to do] a project that can improve the value of the industry,” says Shiraz. “We need to move beyond Gujjar-style films otherwise our industry won’t survive.”