Wikipedia

Kamli (2022 film)

Kamli (Urdu: کملی; lit: Mad) is a 2022 Pakistani drama film directed by Sarmad Khoosat, who co-produced it with Kanwal Khoosat under the banner Khoosat Films. Based on a short film by Mehar Bano, the additional story and dialogues were by Khoosat himself. It stars Saba Qamar, Sania Saeed, Nimra Bucha and debutante Hamza Khawaja in lead roles. Kamli revolves around the intertwining stories of three women and their restrained desires. The film released theatrically on 3 June 2022 and opened to positive reviews from critics.[1][2]

Kamli
Theatrical Poster
Urduکملی
Directed bySarmad Khoosat
Screenplay byFatimah Sattar
Based onA short film by Mehar Bano
Produced by
  • Sarmad Khoosat
  • Kanwal Khoosat
Starring
CinematographyAwais Gohar
Edited by
Music bySaad Sultan
Production
company
Khoosat Films
Distributed by
  • Distribution Club
  • IMGC
Release date
  • 3 June 2022 (2022-06-03)
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu

Plot

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Hina lives alone with her visually impaired sister-in-law Sakina as her husband Saqlain had gone to Bahrain eight years ago for better prospects. She waits for his return for years but he did not come back. Along with some of other girls of the neighborhood, she goes to Zeenat's house who is a painter, and the girls work as a muse for her. Zeenat has somewhat disturbance and restlessness in her life as she has no child with her husband Malik Nadir.

One day on returning from her house, Hina slips into a lake, but is rescued out of the water by a man name Amaltas. The two connect instantly there, attract and develops a relationship over the span of days. They both fall for each other, and she starts spending her most of time with him.

One day, she goes to Zeenat's house with Sakina where an aalima tells the people there that a woman whose husband is unknown, could marry after four years after completing her Iddah. Sakina gets angry over it and forbids her to work in her house. After a few days, Zeenat comes to their house to with a marriage proposal of her husband for Hina. Sakina lashes out at Zeenat and later physically beats Hina, saying that she was already suspicious of her and Mr. Malik having an affair.

Sakina eventually decides to get Hina married to Mr. Malik, and reveals to her that Saqlain had died in an accident shortly after he left for Bahrain eight years ago, but she could never come to terms with the news. She locks Hina up to prevent her from leaving the house until her period of Iddah was over. Hina, frustrated, sets the room on fire using Kerosene, and Sakina is forced to open the lock. Hina runs away to elope with Amaltas, only to find his cabin empty. His painted handprints on the door from earlier are also no longer there, revealing that he had never been a real person.

She goes back home to Sakina, puts her head on her lap and asks her to tell the folk tale about Princess Harmala who was saved from . The house slowly burns down, and we see a shot of Zeenat burning polaroids, including those of Amaltas. As Sakina tells the story, Hina goes over to the small pool in their balcony slowly submersing herself in the water.

There are two interpretations of the ending. The first is that Hina imagined Amaltas, fantasizing of herself as the folk-tale character of Princess Harmala. She had imagined Amaltas based on photos she has seen at Zeenat's. As shown in the end, Hina knew how to swim all along and did not need to be rescued the day she met Amaltas. The second interpretation is that Amaltas is ghost who appears to desperate women, gives them hope and then abandons them. He must have appeared to Sakina, who recognized his smell on Hina. He must also have appeared to Zeenat, who sadly burns his photo in the end.

Cast

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Lead

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Recurring

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Production

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In September 2019, Saba Qamar signed up for Sarmad Khoosat's second feature film Kamli.[3][4] According to Qamar, Kamli is her fist project which she took on without reading the script, and decided to sign it just after hearing its song "Naina".[5] Besides Qamar, Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha were also cast in this film; it was their second feature film collaboration with Khoosat after his directorial debut Manto (2015).[6] Debutant Hamza Khawaja was selected to portray the male lead opposite Qamar. The principal photography began in the first week of October and lasted for two months.[7] Khoosat revealed that the film would be a tragic love story.[8][9][10]

The film is based on a short film by actress Mehar Bano, with additional story and dialogues by Khoosat himself and screenplay by NCA graduate Fatimah Sattar in her debut work as a screenwriter.[11] Saad Sultan composed the music of the film who earlier composed Laiyaan Laiyaan for Jackson Heights (2014).[11] The film is edited by Saim Sadiq and Nadeem Abbas.[11] Awais Gohar, who previously worked with Khoosat for Aakhri Station was the director of photography of the film.[12]

Soundtrack

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The music of the film is composed and produced by Saad Sultan. Lyrics are written by Shakeel Sohail, Bulleh Shah, Izzat Majeed, Anjum Qureshi and Sohail Shahzad. Kamli's music tells a story of its own. It also pays homage to Reshma jee with Maina Tu, bringing back her melodious voice at a turning point in the film.[13][14][15][16]

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Mukhra"Atif Aslam3.39
2."Aag"Amna Rahi, Farah Naz, Shamim Akhtar, ft. Zeb Bangash3.16
3."Kaash"Zeb Bangash, ft. Sohail Shahzad4.28
4."Naina"Sohail Shahzad3.32
5."Paani"Nimra Gilani, Zenab Fatimah4.04
6."Mainu Tu"Reshma5.54

Release

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Initially planned to release on Eid-ul-Fitr 2020, the theatrical release of the film was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The film was released on 3 June 2022.[2]

International Screening

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The film was screened at Indus Valley International Film Festival (IVIFF) 2022 in Chandigarh where Saba Qamar won best actress award for her performance.[17][18] It was also screened at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) from 31 January to 2 February 2023.[19][20]

Home media

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The film had a Television Premier on 7 January 2023 on Hum TV.[21]

Reception

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Critical reception

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The film was lauded by critics and analysts across Pakistan. Something Haute’s Manal Khan wrote, "Kamli is an important achievement, for everyone."[13] The Express Tribune's Simran Siraj wrote that the film would remind you of "the mirrored wall between your reality and desires."[22] Mohammad Kamran Jawaid of Dawn Images praised the acting performances of the actors especially of Qamar, Saeed and Bucha and termed it as a film that deserves The Oscar submission. While praising Saeed's performance he wrote, "Words fail to describe the understated detail she brings to Sakina".[23] Maheen Sabeeh of The News International especially praised the Khoosat's direction along with cinematography and music.[24] Saneela Jawad of Daily Times said it a cinematic masterpiece and praised the Khoosat's direction, his way of dealing with the taboo topics.[25]

Accolades

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Year Ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
2022 Indus Valley International Film Festival (IVIFF) Best Film Actress Saba Qamar Won [17]
Sunday Special Icon Awards Best Actress Of The Year Saba Qamar Won [26]
Pakistani Cinema Awards 2022 Best Film Kamli Won [27]
Best Actress Saba Qamar
Best Supporting Actress Sania Saeed
Best Musician Saad Sultan
Best Lyrics Sohail Shahzad for Naina
Best Male Playback Sohail Shahzad for Naina
Best Female Playback Zeb Bangash for Kaash
Best Story Fatimah Sittar
2023 22nd Lux Style Awards Best Film (Viewers' choice) Kamli Won [28]
Best Film (Critics' choice) Kamli Nominated [29]
Best Film Actress Saba Qamar Won [28]
Best Film Director Sarmad Khoosat Won
Best Film Playback Song Mainu Tu Nominated [29]
Minsk International Film Festival Listapad Best Film - Viewers' choice Kamli Won [30]
Best Actress Saba Qamar Won
Best Director Sarmad Khoosat Won

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "'Kamli' to elevate Pakistani cinema to new heights". Daily Times. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b "'Kamli' is touted to be the best Pakistani film ever". The Express Tribune. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ ""With Kamli, I'm stepping into the mainstream." – Sarmad Khoosat". The News. 16 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Saba Qamar has signed her next movie". Images by Dawn. 14 September 2019.
  5. ^ Maliha Rehman (5 June 2022). "THE ICON INTERVIEW: QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Sarmad Khoosat discusses Kamli". www.thenews.com.pk. 30 December 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  7. ^ "It's a wrap for Kamli, announces Saba Qamar". www.thenews.com.pk. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Busan: Pakistan's Sarmad Sultan Khoosat Starts 'Kamli' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 7 October 2019.
  9. ^ Images Staff (9 October 2019). "Saba Qamar's next film is a tragic love story at heart, reveals Sarmad Khoosat". Dawn Images.
  10. ^ "'Kamli' is a tragic love story: Sarmad Khoosat". Express Tribune. 9 October 2019.
  11. ^ a b c Syeda Zehra (28 May 2022). "Kamli press meet: A night of music, dance and discussions about the anticipated movie". Something Haute. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  12. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (19 June 2022). "All about Kamli". The News International.
  13. ^ a b Khan, Manal (7 June 2022). "Haute Review: Kamli is one of Pakistan's most important films of the last few decades". Something Haute. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Must listen: The soulful, melodious & profound OST of Kamli". 25 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Why 'Kamli' songs are named after elements of nature? Sarmad Khoosat explains".
  16. ^ "Upcoming Film Kamli's Song "Pani" Featuring Saba Qamar - Out Now". 16 May 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Pakistani actor Saba Qamar bags an award at Indian film festival". 25 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Saba Qamar wins award for Kamli across the border". 22 November 2022.
  19. ^ "How Sarmad Khoosat's Kamli is leading the way for Pakistani cinema". Daily Pakistan. 14 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Khoosat Films on Instagram". Instagram. 13 January 2023. We are happy to announce that Kamli will be screening at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam @iffr in Europe. The shows are lined from 31st Jan to 2nd Feb.
  21. ^ "Saba Qamar starrer 'Kamli' to get a TV premiere soon". 23 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Review: 'Kamli' pierces deep into your soul". The Express Tribune. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  23. ^ Mohammad Kamran Jawaid (30 May 2022). "Review: Kamli is a film that deserves an Oscar submission". Images by Dawn. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  24. ^ Maheen Sabeeh (5 June 2022). "Sarmad Khoosat gives Pakistan its best film to date".
  25. ^ "'Kamli' — a journey of thought and emotions". Daily Times. 8 June 2022. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  26. ^ "Celeste Sunday Special Icon Awards | Vote for Your Favorite Category Now!". 7 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Pakistani Cinema Awards 2022: Winner List". PakistaniCinema.net. 3 January 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Lux Style Awards (LSA) 2023: Here's all the winners". 24 News HD. 7 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023.
  29. ^ a b "LUX Style Awards 2023 nominees revealed". Hum News. 28 September 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  30. ^ https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448372/pakistani-cinema-takes-centre-stage-kamli-and-in-flames-shine-at-international-film-festivals
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