''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,

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

as Meher / Lala Begum *

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 ...

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

* {{authority control 2016 short films Pakistani drama films 2010s Urdu-language films Mehreen Jabbar's directions Pakistani short films 2016 drama films