Review: Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan's 'Neelofar' Falls Short on the Romantic Drama
Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan Reunite in 'Neelofar,' But Bland Script and Underwritten Characters Prevent the Film From Reaching Its Romantic Potential
Pakistani drama fans have been dying to see Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan reunite for a romantic project since the success of their hit drama ‘Humasafar’. Their prayers were finally answered with the release of the stars’ latest film, ‘Neelofar’.
The Plot Lacks Emotional Depth and Narrative Complexity
Written and directed by Amar Rasool, the film is a romantic drama about a widower writer, Mansoor Ali Khan (played by Fawad Khan), who struggles with a years-long writer’s block. His life changes when he bumps into a visually impaired woman, Neelofar (played by Mahira Khan), who becomes his muse. The director has attempted to create a nostalgic story about old-school romance, the old city of Lahore, and Urdu poetry and literature. However, the story feels oversimplistic without any emotional depth.
The first half of the film is spent on developing Mansoor and Neelofar’s romance; however, it is slow-paced and lacks emotional nuance. The narrative depends on surface-level interactions, sentimental one-liners, scenic shots of Lahore, and pleasant music. However, these are not sufficient to enhance the romantic arc in the story. The second half of the film is layered with drama, scandal, and an airport chase, which increases the pace of the plot and adds a little complexity to it, but not enough to redeem the whole story. The subplots are abrupt and underdeveloped because of the limited running time, giving the second half of the story a rushed and haphazard finish.
The Star-Studded Cast Does Not Save This Film
In addition to this oversimplistic storyline, the characters are also archetypes that do not have any meat to them. Fawad Khan brings charm, light humor, and quiet intensity to Mansoor, but the script deprives his character of the complexity that comes with his backstory. On the other hand, Mahira Khan impresses with her portrayal of a visually impaired woman, giving her a heartwarming personality. She also delivers a heart-wrenching performance during Neelofar’s emotionally intense moments, but the character is underwritten, limiting the actress from showcasing her talent. As a result, the film depends on the star power and visual appeal of these two stars.
The chemistry that Fawad and Mahira are so loved for since ‘Humsafar’ does not get the chance to flourish in the film because of the inept writing.
Other than these two actors, the remaining cast includes Madiha Imam, Atiqa Odho, Gohar Rasheed, and Behroze Sabzwari. The story does no justice to either Imam or Odho; they do get enough screen time, which does not do justice to the actresses’ prowess. Imam’s character, Sarah, is Mansoor’s representative who secretly harbours feelings for him. However, this subplot is not executed properly, which makes it feel completely insignificant.
Despite his limited screen time, Gohar Rasheed as Shehryaar, who is a fellow poet, still gets a moment to shine with an important monologue. Behroze Sabzwari as Fakhru Chacha, Neelofar’s caretaker, lights up the film with his comic antics and warmth. Nonetheless, the film does not do justice to this star-studded cast, giving them one-dimensional characters that represent mundane archetypes and nothing more.
Neelofar's Cinematography and Music
Neelofar’s only saving grace is its stunning visuals captured by the Director of Photography, Richie Yau, and Zuhaib Irshad, who provided additional cinematography. Both Yau and Irshad have depicted the everlasting beauty of Lahore with their warm and intimate frames, making the film feel like a sequence of vintage postcards. The director has also used black and white graphics for certain scenes, complementing the narrative, but a more consistent integration could have enhanced the film.
The visuals of the film are complemented by a heartwarming soundtrack produced by
Zeeshan Vicky Haider. The song ‘Tum Hi Ho’ complements Mansoor and Neelofar’s budding romance, while ‘Ja Rahe’ complements the heartbreak and distance the couple experiences in the second half of the film.
‘Neelofar’ is a sincere attempt to recreate the magic of old-school romance and to evoke nostalgia for Lahore and Urdu literature, but the bland script prevents it from reaching its full potential. Despite the committed performances of the star-studded cast, the film falls short of delivering an emotionally resonant story.