Rahm (film)
| Rahm | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ahmed Jamal |
| Written by | Mahmood Jamal |
| Produced by | Mahmood Jamal |
| Starring |
Sanam Saeed Sunil Shanker Sajid Hasan Nayyar Ejaz Khalid Butt Seerat Jaffri |
| Cinematography | Jono Smith |
| Edited by | Kant Pan |
Production company |
Rahm Films Limited |
| Distributed by | HKC Entertainment |
Release date |
|
Running time |
103 minutes |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
Rahm (transl. Mercy) is a 2016 Pakistani drama-thriller film, based on William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. It is written and produced by Mahmood Jamal and directed by Ahmed Jamal. Sanam Saeed, Sunil Shanker, Sajid Hasan and Nayyar Ejaz play lead roles in the film. The film's plot is based on the struggles of a sister who tries to save her brother from the punishment of a sin that he hasn't commit.
Synopsis
The film's plot resolves around governor (Sajid Hasan) who retires from his post after a heart attack. He is replaced by Qazi Ahad (Sunil Shanker) who rules corruptly, whilst believing that the former governor away. He punishes married couple for fornication after they lose their nikah papers but unknown to him the former governor is watching everything whilst disguised as a Peer.
Cast
- Sanam Saeed as Samina
- Sunil Shankar as Qazi Ahad
- Sajid Hasan as Governor Fazal Khan
- Rohail Pirzada as Qasim Mian
- Nayyar Ejaz as Councilor Kamal
- Seerat Jafri as Marium
- Khalid Butt as Nawab Nasrullah
- Rashid Mehmood as Maulvi Samad
- Faris Khalid as Gulzar
- Amber Khan as Newscaster
- Meeran Kazmi as Safia Begum
Production
Director Ahmad Jamal stated that the purpose of making the film was to commemorate the Shakespeare who had his 400th death anniversary in 2016. He believe that the author's play Measure for Measure is easiest to adapt with its essence into a different setting.
The entire shooting was done in Studios which are located in Lahore. The film crew used Arri Alexa and Cooke movie camera lenses, in order to capture the atmosphere of the old narrow streets of Lahore and the architecture of the Walled city. The principal photography wrapped in the first week of December 2015. The film's photography direction was done by Jono Smith whilst the editing was done by Kant Pan.
Reception
Rahm released on 18 November 2016. The film did not do well commercially.
However, it was met with favourable reviews by critics. Film journalist Adnan Murad. He wrote: "Director Ahmed Jamal keeps the spirit of Measure for Measure alive throughout this feature, trusting his audience to accept the complexities of the tale." Murad also praised the depiction of Lahore in this film. He wrote: "The writer-director duo is unabashedly smitten by the backdrop. They hold your finger and take you through the local neighbourhoods, sites and streets familiar to the people of Lahore, to let the city cast its spell."
Eastern Eye awarded the Saeed as the best actress of the year for her performance in the film.
Release
The trailer for the film was released in August 2016. The film was released in Pakistan nationwide on 18 November 2016.
The film was released in Paris in October 2017. In November 2017, the film was screened at the 39th Cairo International Film Festival.