''Lala Begum'' ( ur, ) is a 2016
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...
i drama short film directed by
Mehreen Jabbar
Mehreen Jabbar (Urdu: مﮩرين جبار ) (b. 29 December 1971, is a Pakistani film and television director and producer based in New York City. She is a daughter of the Pakistani media-person Javed Jabbar.https://tribune.com.pk/story ...
, written by
Syed Mohammad Ahmed
Syed Mohammad Ahmed credited as Mohammad Ahmed is a Pakistani screenwriter, lyricist, actor, and director. He is best known for ''Mystery Theater'', ''Badtameez'', '' Tum Se Kehna tha'', ''Shaista Shaista'', ''Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat'', ''Annie Ki A ...
and co-produced by Shailja Kejriwal,
Mehreen Jabbar
Mehreen Jabbar (Urdu: مﮩرين جبار ) (b. 29 December 1971, is a Pakistani film and television director and producer based in New York City. She is a daughter of the Pakistani media-person Javed Jabbar.https://tribune.com.pk/story ...
and Vikas Sharma.
Plot
The story revolves around the bitter relationship of two sisters, Meher (
Marina Khan
''Marina Khan'' (born 26 December 1962) is a Pakistani television and film actress, director and a producer. She was one of the most popular actresses of the 1980s and 1990s. Her television shows include '' Tanhaiyan'' (1986), '' Dhoop Kinare ...
) and Seher (
Sonia Rehman
Sonia Rehman is a Pakistani actress, host and director. She is known for her roles in dramas '' Coke Kahani'', ''Aks'', ''Band Khirkyon Kay Peechay'' and '' Doraha''.
Early life
Sonia was born in 1985 on 29th January in Lahore, Pakistan. She com ...
) in the 1970s. They have not been speaking to each other for the last 20 years. As Seher becomes
widow
A widow (female) or widower (male) is a person whose spouse has Death, died.
Terminology
The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed ''widowhood''. An archaic term for a widow is "relict," literally "someone left over". This word ...
, she returns home to claim her share of the family estate but Meher refuses to divide because she believes her sister brought dishonor to the family by marrying her husband, Ahmed and holds the grudge to this day. Meher has stayed single to honor her father’s legacy. According to him, if she were to marry, then a suitor could potentially swindle the family out of their estate. In order to protect it, she chose to be single. This sacrifice came with a sense of loneliness and estrangement. As for Seher, who believed in breaking the walls that Meher and her father put up in the family, things have not been hunky dory. However, her situation and the opposition from her family left her helpless.
Cast
*
Marina Khan
''Marina Khan'' (born 26 December 1962) is a Pakistani television and film actress, director and a producer. She was one of the most popular actresses of the 1980s and 1990s. Her television shows include '' Tanhaiyan'' (1986), '' Dhoop Kinare ...
as Meher / Lala Begum
*
Sonia Rehman
Sonia Rehman is a Pakistani actress, host and director. She is known for her roles in dramas '' Coke Kahani'', ''Aks'', ''Band Khirkyon Kay Peechay'' and '' Doraha''.
Early life
Sonia was born in 1985 on 29th January in Lahore, Pakistan. She com ...
as Seher
*
Jahanara Hai
Jahanara Hai ( ur, ) is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in dramas ''Mere Humdam'', '' Aatish'', ''Ek Hi Bhool'' and ''Mehndi''.
Early life
Jahanara was born in 1939 on 23rd December in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed her studie ...
as Meher's mother
*
Humayun Saeed
Humayun Saeed Ansari (born 27 July 1971), professionally known as Humayun Saeed, is a Pakistani actor and producer.
He has appeared in dozens of Pakistani television dramas and limited number of films, and earned Lux Style Awards, and ARY Fil ...
*
Syed Mohammad Ahmed
Syed Mohammad Ahmed credited as Mohammad Ahmed is a Pakistani screenwriter, lyricist, actor, and director. He is best known for ''Mystery Theater'', ''Badtameez'', '' Tum Se Kehna tha'', ''Shaista Shaista'', ''Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat'', ''Annie Ki A ...
*
Shehryar Zaidi
Shehryar Zaidi is a veteran Pakistani television actor. He is known for his acting for PTV Home and other networks tv dramas.
Career
He has appeared in a variety of television dramas and musical shows. He has worked with some big names of Paki ...
Release
The film was premiered at Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival on 6 August 2016 under the Zeal for Unity banner. It is scheduled for public release on 4 November 2016.
Reception
Critical reception
''Lala Begum'' received a positive review from Swati Sharan of
India.com
''Zee Media Corporation Limited'' (abbreviated as ZMCL; formerly Zee News Limited) is the news broadcasting company of the Essel Group which is controlled by Subhash Chandra. The company is engaged mainly in the business of broadcasting of news ...
after the film was premiered at MISAFF. She said ″Overall,
Jabbar has manufactured a film with great tones of suspense alongside a revelation of how much precious time we waste hanging on to our false prestige without truly enjoying ourselves.″
References
External links
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{{authority control
2016 short films
Pakistani drama films
2010s Urdu-language films
Mehreen Jabbar's directions
Pakistani short films
2016 drama films