Khuda Ke Liye

Before watching this film, I used to think all Pakistani movies are like those B-grade Bhojpuri films, with names like Sasura Bada Paisa Wala. To be frank when I first heard the name of this movie, first dialogue that came to my mind was "Khuda kay liye mujhe chhod do," something similar to "Bhagwan ke liye mujhe chhod do" from our very own Hindi films. Then I read about the appreciation this movie has received all over the world. Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India has given this movie 4 stars and said "There have been a number of post 9/11 offerings from Hollywood, but it takes a Pakistani film to create the maximum impact". Though I am not a big fan of Mr. Kazmi but such strong statement about the movie made me watch this film. BTW, don't read too much between the lines, the movie is not about 9/11, it's much more than that. It's about how some fanatic Moulanas influence youths in the name of God and how people get effected by that.

Khuda ke Liye is a story of one family living in Lahore. Two brothers Mansoor and Sarmad, who love music and have an small band of their own. One day Sarmad's friend takes him to Mullah Tahiri and gets influenced by his views of Islam, which include quitting music, changing dress code, wearing beard etc. One day their uncle, who has been living in London for years and married a British come to Lahore to marry his daughter Maryam to one of the two. Reason, she was in love with a British boy and was ready to marry him. Sarmad, against the will of everyone else in the family takes Maryam to Afghanistan Border and marries her with the help of Moulana Tahiri and keeps her captive. Why, according to Moulana Tahiri, it's against Islam for a girl to marry outside the community. In the meanwhile Mansoor is in USA studying music, and falls in love with an American girl, who he later marries. Then 9/11 happens and everything changes in everyone's life. Mansoor has been arrested and tortured and Sarmad has unwillingly, influenced by Moulana's views joins Taliban. Everything changes. What follows then is an eye opener for all the orthodox, so called religious people.

The movie is made with good intentions and the director knows what he wants to show. He is always to the point, with no nonsense. All the three lead characters have been developed well and the transition in Sarmad's character is justified by his conversations with Mansoor and Moulana Tahiri. Everyone has played his part well. Music of the movie is top class.
I would rate this movie 7 out of 10, go and watch it.