''Lala Begum'' () is a 2016

Pakistan Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of over 241.5 million, having the Islam by country# ...

i drama short film directed by

Mehreen Jabbar Mehreen Jabbar (Urdu: م‍ﮩ‍رين جبار ) (born on 29 December 1971, is a Pakistani film and television director and producer based in New York City. She is a daughter of the Pakistani media-person Javed Jabbar.https://tribune.com.p ...

, written by

Syed Mohammad Ahmed Syed Mohammad Ahmed, frequently credited as Mohammad Ahmed, is a Pakistani screenwriter, lyricist, actor, and director. He is best known for ''Mystery Theater'', ''Badtameez'', '' Tum Se Kehna tha'', ''Shaista Shaista'', ''Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat' ...

and co-produced by Shailja Kejriwal,

and Vikas Sharma.

Plot

The story revolves around the bitter relationship of two sisters, Meher and Seher in the 1970s. They have not been speaking to each other for the last 20 years. As Seher becomes a widow, she returns home to claim her share of the family estate but Meher refuses to divide because she believes her sister brought dishonor to the family by marrying her husband, Ahmed and holds the grudge to this day. Meher has stayed single to honor her father’s legacy. According to him, if she were to marry, then a suitor could potentially swindle the family out of their estate. In order to protect it, she chose to be single. This sacrifice came with a sense of loneliness and estrangement. As for Seher, who believed in breaking the walls that Meher and her father put up in the family, things have not been hunky dory. However, her situation and the opposition from her family left her helpless.

Cast

Marina Khan ''Marina Khan'' (born 26 December 1962) is a Pakistani television and film actress, director, and producer. She is one of the most popular actresses of her time and was one of the most successful actresses of 1980s and 1990s. Her television sho ...

as Meher / Lala Begum *

Sonia Rehman Sonia Rehman is a Pakistani actress, host and director. She is known for her roles in dramas '' Coke Kahani'', ''Aks'', ''Band Khirkyon Kay Peechay'' and '' Doraha''. Early life Sonia was born in 1985 on 29 January in Lahore, Pakistan. She com ...

as Seher *

Jahanara Hai Jahanara Hai () is a Pakistani actress. She is known for her roles in dramas '' Mere Humdam'', '' Aatish'', ''Ek Hi Bhool'' and ''Mehndi''. Early life Jahanara was born in 1939 on 23 December in Karachi, Pakistan. She completed her studies fro ...

as Meher's mother *

Humayun Saeed Humayun Saeed (born 27 July 1971) is a Pakistani actor and producer. Describing himself as a method actor, Saeed is primarily known for his work on Pakistani television and cinema and is the recipient of several accolades, including Lux Styl ...

Shehryar Zaidi Shehryar Zaidi is a veteran Pakistani television actor. He is known for his acting for PTV Home and other networks tv dramas. Career He has appeared in a variety of television dramas and musical shows. He has worked with some big names of Paki ...

Release

The film premiered at the Mosaic International South Asian Film Festival on 6 August 2016 under the Zeal for Unity banner. It is scheduled for public release on 4 November 2016.

Reception

Critical reception

''Lala Begum'' received a positive review from Swati Sharan of

India.com Zee Media Corporation Limited (abbreviated as ZMCL; formerly Zee News Limited) is an Indian mass media and news broadcasting company based in Mumbai. The company is engaged mainly in the business of broadcasting news and current affairs, and re ...

after the film was premiered at MISAFF. She said ″Overall, Jabbar has manufactured a film with great tones of suspense alongside a revelation of how much precious time we waste hanging on to our false prestige without truly enjoying ourselves.″

References

External links

* {{authority control 2016 short films Pakistani drama films 2010s Urdu-language films Films directed by Mehreen Jabbar Pakistani short films 2016 drama films 2016 films Urdu-language Pakistani films