Dear Neelofar, you are the new color in our films.
A poetic, original and oh-so-Pakistani experience that some will instantly fall in love with and some will question.
As I made my way into the cinema, the only thought in my mind was that I must not miss the start of the movie. Was I expecting to have a great time? Not really. I went with zero expectations. I was just looking forward to watching the movie, waiting anxiously to know what the story was about and desperately wondering whether we will finally have an original Pakistani movie with no copy-paste from Bollywood and no sub-par content.
Before we start, I want to say this, it is not fair to say this movie is not for everyone. I feel we are underestimating the audience; we are questioning their intelligence or perceptive side by saying this. Yes, Kamli or Laal Kabootar might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but Neelofar is for everyone. And to decide whether to not like it or to love it, you must watch it. I honestly feel even if you end up questioning it, there are still so many things in the movie that will leave an impact on you.
What a treat it must be for everyone from Lahore to see those familiar landmarks and locations and see them shot so beautifully and then interwoven into the storyline. Neelofar’s screenplay taking in the vibe of a beloved city, is a great service to Pakistan and tourism in Pakistan. It totally shows off Lahore as a city worth adding to the must-visit places on your travel list, and that is true irrespective of whether you are in Pakistan or outside Pakistan. Neelofar serves as a mini travelogue, highlighting shopping places, places of art and theatre, local and western food spots, bus and local guide tours in all their grandeur. The best part is that the camera revealed Lahore in all its character, owning the cracks in the walls, all the imperfections of the city, but still beautiful.
It is difficult to review a movie without delivering spoilers.
Mansoor Ali Khan, a writer, has not penned another story since his wife Mahnoor passed away. Now he is in Lahore, trying to come up with something and promoting his book. In Lahore Mansoor meets Neelofar who is blind and instantly finds her interesting. How they fall in love with each other and who is the villain of the story—well, that you will have to discover by watching the movie.
The script is well-knit and moves in melodious tune-like mode. There are moments when the story moves at a luxurious pace, giving you moments to savour, but then you get moments where the pace picks up. Three things that are mention-worthy about the script and execution:
One, there are surprises—just when you thought a certain event is bound to take place, something else happens.
Second, every scene has significance; every conversation is relevant to some other event in the movie, so pay attention and you will enjoy it when you connect the two distant scenes. Neelofar slapping herself in the mirror, for instance, connects back to something she did earlier, which adds another layer of intrigue.
Third, many crucial moments are solidly crafted, and they take you through a mini journey before revealing what happens next. For instance, Mansoor and Neelofar’s first meeting is a well-executed scene.
Does Neelofar suffer from the copy-Bollywood-movie-scenes syndrome? Well, to answer this we must understand there is a difference between copying scenes or taking inspiration or referencing. While growing up, Bollywood has been a part of everyone’s childhood. Hence this is a reality we cannot escape. Neelofar does not copy scenes but takes references or inspiration and injects them into storytelling with a freshness that is endearing and makes you smile, without making you question whether it lacked originality.
Neelofar is a love story, not a rom-com. Let’s clarify this first and set expectations for viewers. Do not watch Neelofar if you are not up for a romantic movie. If you go in expecting romance, you’ll be less likely to anticipate its usual clichés, so you won’t set yourself up for disappointment. For all the Mahira and Fawad fans it is a treat to watch. If you are not a die-hard fan but like romantic movies, then this is a story for you. You get to experience the romantic journey of Mansoor and Neelofar in Lahore. Each day is a mystery—what they do next, where they go next, and what part of each other’s life and personalities will they experience next? As their feelings for each other deepen, you are completely engrossed in the story and waiting to see what causes their breakup.
The second half of the story is fast-paced and after giving you a full dose of romance, navigates you through the conflict, heartbreak and then the climax.
The strongest point for me was the fact that it was an original story, with highs and lows and a proper climax, where you are holding your breath and thinking, will you get a happy ending. The story is simple, but you only realise this after you have watched the movie. You do not know anticiapte the next plot twist, waiting and watching for the story line to reveal itself. I did not think of Humsafar at all until the very end, which was a big plus for me.
What was pleasantly heart-winning was that Neelofar is not just a romantic story, it is a layered story, and it makes you think about human emotions, reactions, and psyche. Why does Mansoor fall in love with a blind girl? Is it because he can be who he wants to be—something that his fame and his environment don’t let him be? There is no pressure on him to be a certain way or expectations to author another book or say something smart and intellectual. He can be raw, his original self with Neelofar, free from the shadows of the past that haunt him. Neelofar doesn’t just serve up romance; it delivers so much to make you think and ponder.
On the surface Neelofar cannot see, but the most beautiful thing about this character is that although Neelofar is devoid of sight, it is through her that you view the entire film and the city of Lahore. And discovering these emotions and feelings through Neelofar is so sensuous and yet not distasteful or uncomfortable to watch. How she feels Mansoor’s face to discover how he looks, sketches him in her mind, how she feels his presence, how she kisses him boldly. And all this is done beautifully, aesthetically, in a way that feels so natural and just how it should be. The romance between Mansoor and Neelofar is sensual yet pure.
So, if you want to see an intelligent romantic movie then this just might be it.
Watch Neelofar for nostalgia. The film delivers references and visuals whose nostalgic appeal truly resonates only when you experience it onscreen. Experiencing the joy of childhood, feeling genuinely loved, or sharing laughter with someone special can easily bring tears to your eyes. The movie beautifully and aesthetically, highlights visuals, sounds and moments that have been a part of every Pakistani growing up. Like the melody of the Walls ice cream van on our streets, the visuals of chai and newspaper and many more familiar sights. I also feel Gen Z will relate to the poetic conversations, the visuals, the music and the ambiance more than the older generation because they are more into moments and feels.
We should also remember that a drama or movie should reflect what the culture, the lifestyle or general environment is like in a country or a place. If we turn to Bollywood movies, they show destination weddings; they show the shifting lifestyle of people living there. Neelofar does the same thing—it captures what life is like in today’s Pakistan, from visuals of Standard Chartered buildings, upscale restaurants, trendy coffee-shop meetups, and theatre scenes to more traditional parts of life, like local bazaars, train stations, parks and green spaces. These are the experiences that make up the lifestyle of today’s Pakistan.
Given that both Mahira and Fawad have a sizeable international following, this film will be showing their audiences glimpses of Lahore, Pakistan through a lens that is both honest and heartfelt. Rather than taking concepts or ideas that are not ours to begin with, Neelofar is original and honest, and for me, that is something we must respect. Creating a truly original Pakistani script requires real courage.
What some audiences are calling out as a waste of talent by casting veteran characters like Simi Raheal and Samina Mumtaz in brief appearances—for me it is a big win, because they made each scene more interesting and watchable. That scene would not have had the same impact if we did not see those familiar faces. And a seasoned actor makes even the smallest scenes worth watching.
Mahira and Fawad have both delivered notable performances. You watch Fawad Khan onscreen and instantly wonder why we have not seen more of him in films. He has a subtle yet hugely impactful manner of delivering emotions. The nuances he adds through a slight shift in gaze, turning his face just a bit, makes a scene romantic, interesting, and so endearing. Mahira must also be appreciated for carrying her role with grace and making sure Neelofar’s energy is truly infectious. However, just one small observation: a wider range of expressions in Mahira’s character would have further amplified her performance.
The musical score needs a shout out for not just being a pretty face in the background, serving to sell a story, but playing a major role in propelling the narrative forward. Every song in the Neelofar playlist paced the plot, and contributed to the storytelling.
What could have been better?
The start of the movie seems a little shaky and dialogues come across as disjointed. It just seems as if certain scenes are randomly put together. The flow and connection could have been easier on the eye.
Madiha Imam’s character could have been crafted better. For a considerable time, you are confused about her intentions. A more solid track would have made the story better. Her character merely enters and exits the script and when a significant twist occurs in the story, it feels strange and you wonder how this came to pass all of a sudden, even though you are suspecting that this will happen. One might also question the need to bring that particular angle in the story.
There were minor oversights or misses, but they can be dismissed in the larger look and feel of teh frames and narrative.
Mini Spoiler Alert:
The main conflict initiates with the rivalry between Mansoor and fellow writers, which was inserted all of a sudden without prior indication. This should have been a running theme at least after a quarter of the screen time so it would not feel rushed and sudden. The hero or positivity in any film or drama will be strong or engaging if the villains or negative characters are also robust and interesting. Here is where the script needed to focus more on—make the conflict stronger.
Verdict: Watch it. You do not often get the opportunity to experience a love story between two shining stars of your industry in an original, heart-winning script.
Loved the review as much as I loved the movie.
I was waiting to hear from you Rabia. 100% agree to everything
Oh no please don’t waste your time and energy for this movie. It has nothing to offer except for two pretty faces who have chemistry anymore