Tamanna: Pakistan’s first noir film

“Tamanna” – One of the most talkabout movies of 2013 in Pakistan – The Film is directed by a famous British Director Steven Dean Moore, starring Salman Shahid, Omair Rana, Mehreen Raheel and Feryal Gauhar, all of them experienced and well-known local actors – is a first film of the film noir genre made in Pakistan, according to its producer Sarah Tareen who previously worked with Shoaib Mansoor on Khuda Kay Liye. This year seems to be very impressive for Pakistan’s Film Industry, where last year there was not a single major Pakistani film that was released in Pakistan, Film ‘Slackistan’ was banned while almost every other project was left on hold, which includes movies like Chup, Daag, Freedom Sound, etc. This year seems to be very good for Pakistan Film Industry, Many remarkable major projects are going to hit screens in Pakistan this year, including Ishq Khuda, Waar, Siyaah, Chambaili – The fragrance of freedom, Seedlings, Nation Awakes, Mission Allahu Akbar, etc among many others.

Last year was one of the worst year of Pakistani Film Industry where there was no release of any Urdu Language film. We have seen some of the Punjabi movies but no Urdu movie hit the cinemas. In spite of some brilliant movies which were ready to release, no one reached to this status because of the worst circumstances of the country. Different terrorist activities affected the Film Industry and Cinemas on huge scale.

To me, seems like, Pakistani Film industry has started to get mature and move on for the betterment with time. This year can be very important success for Pakistan Film industry. Bit in 2013, there is a possibility about the release of some big movies which may revive the cinema of Pakistan. These films include Gidh, Waar, Ishq Khuda and Chambaili.

Among these movies is Tamanna, Directed by renowned British director Steven Moore, Tamanna is the story of a young man, Riz Ahmed (Omair Rana), who falls in love with the young wife (Mehreen Raheel) of the wealthy Mian Tariq Ali (Salman Shahid). The daring Riz pushes the boundaries and puts the question in front of Mian Tariq Ali who proposes that in order to take his wife in marriage the young Riz steal some highly precious jewels that the former had brought a while ago. Thus begins what seems like an intriguing tale of crime, love, jealousy and deceit.

Judging by the trailer, the film, along with its superb set design and cinematography, appears quite engaging and intriguing. It would be especially appealing to the Pakistani enthusiasts of the film noir genre.

However, the film is not directed solely at a single group but aims to reach out to the general audience, designed to appeal to the intelligent viewers across the spectrum.

It’s Mehreen Raheel’s second movie after ‘Virsa’, opposite Indian actor Arya Babbar. Her performance was highly appreciated throughout the film. The film proved to be a big box office success and critically praised. Her second film Tamanna directed by a British director Steven Dean Moore opposite Salman Shahid for which she has earned public recognition for playing glamorous role.

“The story is essentially about class snobbery, adultery and ego. We have purposefully chosen realism and artistic integrity over sensationalism, because we want this film to be taken seriously internationally and have a long shelf life. Our general philosophy is to stay away from politics and religion and to concentrate on class and social issues. This film is not ‘masala’ but neither is it parallel cinema – it is midway and is aimed at intelligent viewers from any background. The story is relevant to present Pakistani culture with its emerging middle class challenging the gentry”, Tamanna’s producer Tareen said [in an interview].

Let’s see how the movie impresses the audience and the film critics. We wish Tamanna Best of Luck. Waar is also one of the most talkabout movies to be released this year.

Tamanna Trailer from Concordia Productions on Vimeo.