Neela Parbat Explained

Neela Parbat
Director:
Producer:Ahmad Bashir
Starring:
Music:
Studio:Filmo Eutopia
Country:Pakistan
Language:Urdu

Neela Parbat (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|نیلا پربت) is a 1969 Pakistani Urdu film produced and co-directed by Ahmad Bashir as his only film. The story of the film was written by renowned Urdu author Mumtaz Mufti, who was inspired by Freud's theory. The lead cast included Mohammad Ali, Talish, Husna, Sofia Bano, Komal and Panna.[1] [2]

Neela Parbat is the first non-horror film of the Pakistani cinema which was given an Adult certificate, and also among the pioneer films that were inspired by the Italian Neorealism.[3] [4] [5] The film had music composed by Piarang Qadir and Akhtar Hussain and features classical numbers by several singers. Famous Urdu poets Hafeez Jalandhari and Ibn-e-Insha were among the lyricists. The film became a box office disaster due to its mature theme and distinctive style of body language.[2] [6]

Plot

On his deathbed, Painda Khan's friend takes a promise from him to take care of his daughter Laila 'Laali' for his whole life. After his death, Painda Khan adopts Laali and she starts living in his house. Painda Khan's son Bakhtiar 'Bakhtoo' and Laali soon develop a strong mutual bond. Painda Khan too loves Laali and treats her passionately. He later discovers that he has fallen for her when he finds it unbearable for anyone to be around her, even his own son. Due to his frankness with Laali (who has feelings for him), he wants to marry Bakhtoo with his brother's daughter, who Bakhtoo already has some intimate relations with. This conflict between the father and son and the love of a father for his adopted daughter cause the destruction of relations thereafter.

Cast

The cast of the film include:[3] [6]

Production

Background

It was one of Pakistan's earliest experimental feature films. It had experimentation by the film director with the Freudian sensual themes, which was very unusual for Pakistani cinema at that time.[8] So the film received a 'for adults only' rating. In the film, actress Komal had a really interesting foray into the parallel cinema. She portrayed the sensual plaything for Muhammad Ali's character.[9]

It was filmed in Karachi's Eastern Studio and Lahore's Bari Studio.[10] [11]

Crew

The film was produced by Ahmed Bashir, directed by Ahmad Bashir with Hafeez Romani as co-director, and written by Mumtaz Mufti. The crew included:[6]

Release and box office

Neela Parbat was released on 3 January 1969. Along with the theatres of nine other cities, it was released in Dacca, Lahore and Karachi. The film was a flop with only 5 weeks at theaters.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seven unforgettable, daring Pakistani films. Daily Times. 2017-12-11. 2021-11-18.
  2. Web site: Ahmad Bashir, the Pakistani Writer Who Did Not Compromise His Conscience . The Wire . April 12, 2019 . 24 March 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230324125941/https://m.thewire.in/article/south-asia/ahmad-bashir-pakistani-poet-tribute.
  3. Web site: 'Neela Parbat': Pakistan's first non-horror 'For Adults' film and a case of missed opportunity. Galaxy Lollywood. Hassan Hassan. 19 March 2019. 18 November 2021.
  4. Book: Beyond the Last Mountain: The Original Screenplay of Pakistan's First Feature Film . 25 . . 2001 . MNJ Communications . 978-9694072678.
  5. Web site: . 4 December 2017 . Daily Pakistan . 01:50PM.
  6. Web site: Neela Parbat . Motion Pictures Archive of Pakistan . 29 January 2020 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200129113621/http://www.mpaop.org/mpaop/pak-film-database/chronological-of-films/1969-2/neela-parbat/.
  7. Web site: Legendary actor Talish remembered on his 20th death anniversary. The News International. February 25, 2018.
  8. Web site: THE ICON INTERVIEW: ICON OF VERSATILITY. Dawn (newspaper). 4 December 2019. Khursheed Hyder.
  9. Web site: Film Review of 'Neela Parbat' on cineplot.com website . 8 November 2009 . 25 June 2016 . Cine Plot . https://web.archive.org/web/20200617172718/http://cineplot.com/neela-parbat/ . 17 June 2020.
  10. Book: Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan . 16 . Pakistan Herald Publications . 1963 . 45.
  11. Book: Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan . 1964 . 41.
  12. Book: Cinema the World Over . 1-3 . National Film Development Corporation . K. S. Hosain . 1975.