Dobara Phir Se is a 2016 Pakistani film directed by Mehreen Jabbar, who has the movie Ramchand Pakistani along with some of the most famous drama serials of our country such as Daam, Doraha, Mata-e-jan, Vasl and Malal to her name. Unlike Ramchand Pakistani which was an art movie, Dobara Phir Se is a drama film with a storyline entirely of a different sort. Not that it is a loud commercial film, for Mehreen Jabbar maintains her image of a director producing soft and subtle works even in the film Dobara Phir Se.
The word “subtle” here is also to be associated with the writer of the film Bilal Sami, who through a film dealing with love and friendship, has very skilfully put forward some beautiful examples of what we may call “types”. We must not look at the characters superficially, for that will be unfair. In the character of Hamaad played by Adeel Hussain, we see a respect for art, for he admires Zainab’s (Hareem Farooq) comic drawings and motivates her to get them published. We find not only innocence in Zaid’s character but the breaking apart of which many children become victims when their parents are not on good terms. Vasay’s character given to Ali Kazmi represents a passionate, honest and a punctual man who is committed to his profession of hotel management. His wife Samar (Sanam Saeed) is a happy go lucky person whose friends can share their happiness as well as their sorrows with her. Atiqa Odho’s character, though not a major one, breaks the stereotype of a typical mother-in-law, for she shows love and concern for Zainab even after she gets separated from Atiqa’s son, Asim played by Shaz Khan. Asim’s character of a husband is such which cannot be accused of domestic violence but whose priggish disposition can put anyone out. Tooba Siddique’s role cannot be ignored, because it is a personification of compassion and consideration. She is ditched twice, but does not complain the second time. Instead, she understands the other person’s feelings and does not bind him (Hamaad) forcefully to herself. The most important character is of Zainab (Hareem Farooq) who very well reflects the problems of divorced women, especially the ones who have a child to bring up.
The word “serenity” should also be used for the film. Why this word is associated with Mehreen Jabbar is not something incomprehensible for the ones who regularly follow her works. Soft music, natural acting, pale lighting not sickening to the eyes, are things unique to her direction. She maintains these elements in Dobara Phir Se as well. Throughout the film, we do not find excessive lighting, loud music even in emotionally intense scenes, or artificial acting. For acting, all the actors are to be commended, for they all are the top actors of Pakistan. While Tooba Siddique is one of the top models of our country, Atiqa Odho and Sanam Saeed happen to be two of the finest actresses of Pakistan. Adeel Hussain is the new chocolate hero, and Ali Kazmi, though a professional actor himself, happens to be the son of Rahat Kazmi and Sahira Kazmi, two actors belonging to the golden era of Pakistan Television. Hareem Farooq recently received the award for the best new sensation.
The songs of the film have been very softly composed, adding to its calmly moving scenes, especially Mein Chalti Rahi which is very apt for the then sad situation of the film. Apart from the songs, the music that runs in the background remains soft throughout, majorly a piano melody. Be they the scenes in which Asim insults Zainab’s friends, Zainab rejects Hamaad’s proposals, or any other emotional scene, they have been made intense using only acting and dialogues. No harsh music has been used, which is common of Mehreen Jabbar.
All the reviews written uptil now regarding this film focus on the relationship of Ali Kazmi and Sanam Saeed, or on the love triangle of Hareem Farooq, Tooba Siddique and Adeel Hussain, but none of them discusses the relationship of Adeel Hussain and Zaid, who happens to be Hareem Farooq’s son in the film. The relation between a caring adult and a child deprived of attention has an element of beauty attached to it. Adeel Hussain’s attractive physique accompanied by a handsome face forms a perfect fatherly figure for a cute, plump boy. This seems to be the most beautiful aspect of the film went unnoticed.
The film at times also depicts two different cultures. While the scenes set abroad give an idea of how life works in foreign countries through the accommodation of scenes shot in small apartments or on wide, clean busy streets, there, at the same time, the ice candies, jalaibees and trucks represent the desi culture of Pakistan. This is something we find in Mehreen Jabbar’s drama serials Malal and Coke Kahani as well.
The reviews regarding the film up till now have been focusing on its superficial aspects such as the storyline and acting, but the underlying messages of the story and the hidden traits inside the characters have been ignored, which is unjust. Dobara Phir Se is a piece of art, which must be looked at from a critical eye as well.