'Bin Roye' Review: Mahira Khan's intense acting is hard to ignore in an otherwise average film

Cast: Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed, Armeena Khan, Zeba Bakhtiar, Javed Sheikh

Director: Momina Duraid, Shahzad Kashmiri

When was the last time you saw a clichéd, predictable story with lots of drama, grand locales, designer outfits yet stellar performances by the cast? Maybe, early 2000? 'Bin Roye' which is the largest release ever for a Pakistani film in India, is being seen as the revival of the almost dead Pakistani cinema. Directed by Momina Duraid and Shahzad Kashmiri, the film stars popular Pakistani television actors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed and Armeena Khan in a love triangle full of tragedy and tears (don't go by the title, a lot of glycerin has been used by the actors in the film).

The film is a story about a fun loving girl Saba (Mahira Khan) whose world comes crashing down when the man she has loved since childhood, her best friend and cousin Irtiza (Humayun Saeed)‎, falls in love and gets married to her long-lost sister Saman (Armeena Khan). As Saba fights to survive the heartbreak and moves on in her life, a tragedy befalls on the family, forcing her to face her demons and fall in love with Irtiza again.

The film reminds you a lot of Sooraj Barjatya and Karan Johar's style of filmmaking. Rich families, love triangle, designer outfits, family tragedy, exotic locales and happy endings. Half way into the film, and you have already drawn out the plan in which the events will proceed and maybe even end. The film is an adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq's novel 'Bin Roye Aansoo' where, in order to fit the film in 2 hour slot, character development has been skipped, which makes it hard for audience to sympathise with certain characters. You could also feel various plot holes in the movie if you haven't read the book. All this could've been avoided if the editing was crisp and correct.

Mahira Khan, the women who is all set for her Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan in 'Raees', is the show-stealer. The charm and

intensity the woman has can even put SRK's Rajs and Rahuls to shame. Mahira Khan's screen presence is amazing and the way she uses her eyes to convey her emotions, reminds you a lot of KJo's and Yash Raj's Shah Rukh Khan. After seeing her in TV series 'Humsafar' and now in 'Bin Roye', one could hardly retain the excitement to see her act again, this time for Bollywood.

Apart from Mahira, Humayun Saeed delivers in parts too, only if you are able to get your eyes off Mahira and appreciate his efforts.

Armeena Khan is there for few frames but the time is too less to establish her character.

The next best thing about the movie is its cinematography. After a long time Pakistani film industry has come out with something this

grand. Beaches of California, Dubai gardens and big fat Nikah and Eid celebrations with shimmery outfits show that finally Pakistani cinema is ready to celebrate its urban culture. The film is a pure commercial drama with family values and heartbreaks, with no touch of politics or social issue, which is a big change in itself for a Pakistani film.

'Bin Roye' uses its music in a very intelligent fashion. You could listen to the familiar voices of Rekha Bharadwaj, Ankit Tiwari and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. It complements the mood of various situations and unlike Bollywood, feels a bit more realistic. The lyrics are beautiful and leave you touched with their deep meanings. The mix of Punjabi and Urdu is a bliss to the ears of Indian audience, who die to listen to songs that are more than just noise. Rahat Fateh Ali Khana and Rekha Bharadwaj win your heart truly.

Although, if you are one of those who don't put anything before story, throughout the film you'd wish that someone had weaved a much firmer storyline at the editing table and ‘Bin Roye’ could have raised the bar, backed with grand visuals and stellar performance by its lead star.

However, if you miss the love stories, Bollywood used to produce in the era of 90's and early 2000, give this film a chance to revive back those feelings and memories, with better performance by the actors.

Aesthetically beautiful, some powerful performances, immersive background score and Mahira Khan make 'Bin Roye' a decent watch with your family and loved ones. Also don't forget to fall for the Pakistani mannerism and intensity with which all the actors deliver their performances.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5