Karachi:
It was on the eve of Benazir Bhutto's 57th birthday, when a special screening of the Duane Baughman's recently released film "Bhutto", pulled in the who's who of Pakistan to the theatre. From the bigwigs of Karachi to the representatives of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), all attended this much awaited screening with immense anticipation.
Shehla Raza, DeputySpeaker, Sindh Assembly said, "As we watched the film, we saw how a dictator ruined a country and a family."
The one-and-a-half hour long documentary was first premiered at the 26th Sundance Film festival early this year. On June 11, the documentary hit all theatres across Pakistan generating much public interest.
"The film has received good response. A lot of people are watching this film. The film is presently in English. It should be translated into Urdu and local languages as well," said Kaiser Rafiq,Director,Universe Cineplex Karachi.
Bhutto's assassination has served as a fodder for film makers across the world. Ever since her death, a number of projects were announced and worked out. However, Duane Baughman's 'Bhutto' is the first film about the assassinated former premier to have released so far. Apart from trailing the story of her life and her rise and shine, voices of international leaders like former president Musharraf, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, journalists Mark Seigal, Christiana Lamb, and Tariq Ali, mapping her political career, keep viewers glued to their seats until the very end of the documentary.
After watching the film with his children,Nadeem Mandiwalla,Managing Director,Mandviwalla Entertainment said, "This is a great film, compared to what we see otherwise in Pakistan, this movie is very different. Something, that talks about the life of leaders in layman terms. An informative film for the new generation that has no idea about, how just a normal woman turned out to become a gritty politician, whereas at the same time she managed her family, her children, and her marital obligations equally well."
Although, it is over ten days now since the movie's release, the film is still pulling in the crowds. Critics have praised Baughman's narration and technique. Baughman has used Bakhtawar and Aseefa, her sister Sanam and even her estranged niece Fatima to bring alive the personal aspect of the Bhutto's life. The film also features a special tribute to Benazir Bhutto by her daughter Bakhtawar, who has reworked on the PPP's anthem "Dila Teer Bija" exclusively for the film.
With so many added attractions the film has left all spellbound making it a runaway hit. Distributors can't stop smiling as they believe that in the coming weeks too, the film will rope in more big bucks.