There are films that only test your patience and then there are films that reward you for it. Operation 021 manages to be one of the few Pakistani films among the latter category.
In an age where rapid action and rapid exposition are the hallmarks of most movies made and enjoyed around the world — from Bollywood to Hollywood — Operation 021 can be a very testing experience for many viewers. Especially when one expects a Waar-like high on action, low on substance blockbuster — as it seemed to be billed by its promoters — Jami’s film can feel random and, for the first half an hour or so, rather dull.
But as they say, good things come to those who wait, and that certainly is the case with Operation 021.
Eschewing the modern trend for rapid exposition, the film instead opts for a more classic mould. One that asks you to trust its writers and director, and have faith that everything shown on screen has a definite purpose. Yes, many questions are left hanging for a good while of screen time, but it all comes together quite neatly in the end. And that very fact is what sets Operation 021 apart from most Pakistani films made so far.
While escorting a Nato convoy through militant territory, an initially pro-US militant Abdullah — played by veteran Baloch actor Ayub Khoso — steals a microchip, hidden in one of the trucks, containing the names of corporations and investors who have reached a deal to exploit lithium reserves in Afghanistan to the detriment of the country’s people.
Thus begins a cat-and-mouse chase that spans the length of the entire film involving an ex-CIA asse, Kash (Shaan Shahid), Afghan intelligence official Dost (Hameed Sheikh) and CIA agent Nathan (Joe Towne).
This, however, is only the backdrop of Operation 021, not its central idea. More crucial to the film is the relationship between Dost and Abdullah, characters who represent what can be seen as the two poles of Afghan society. Abdullah very clearly represents the more traditional, nationalistic worldview in Afghan society, one that values the motherland above all else. Dost , in contrast, can be seen as a stand in for the Karzai-type — someone willing to cut a deal with foreign powers to secure a personal future. Indeed, its Dost’s inner conflict — his diminishing place in Afghan consciousness — that is more central to Operation 021 than the plot.
That Operation 021 manages to explore a deeper conversation between two diametrically opposed worldviews — despite a premise that is more Call of Duty than Syriana — is perhaps the film’s greatest achievement.
The film even delivers very strongly when it comes to performances, spearheaded by Ayub Khoso in what is possibly the greatest moment of his already rich career. Keep an eye out for Khoso’s monologue in Dari, which is surely the standout moment of the film.
Hameed Sheikh’s turn as the brooding Dost, marked by a silent strength and punctuated with undercurrents of doubt, is another noteworthy performance in a movie chock full of them.
Kudos must also be given to Shaan, who despite his stellar presence is more restrained in his performance and well-suited to his rather limited role in the film. Where the cameo by Bilal Ashraf and Gohar Rasheed speaks loads about how Pakistani artists are desperate to showcase their phenomenal acting skills in the smallest of roles, Mustafa Changezi is perhaps the weakest link of the film. His flat delivery and monotonous gestures not only weaken every scene in which he appears but also give nothing to his co-actor Aamina Sheikh to play around with.
On the other hand, muffled sound in the first 20 minutes of the film is quite testing and is not helped by subtitles that come and go very quickly. Scenes set in Washington could be vastly improved as well.
Having said that, Operation 021 is easily the most slickly-produced Pakistani film to date, with an ending sequence that is as good as any modest Hollywood film.
Verdict: It’s a dense film, one you wouldn’t want to watch again. But do watch it once to embrace the fact that even a Pakistani film can opt for a slow and steady approach towards storytelling.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014.
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i m sorry to say that movie dont have entertainmnet stuff for cine viewer,though,its best work of Jami,he is brilliant director no doubt,but people love to see movie for entertaiment,i m amazed that when they take such a wonderful lady and performer Aamina shaikh,why they dont put some beautifully songs,why they dont give Aamina that kind space,which we love to expect for her n every plave whetehr its tv serial or ramp walk,offcourse she is delight due to her wonderful performance,why they dont keep romance in that film,why they dont put some beautifully songs in which they must show Aamina in wonderful costumes,along with beautiful sceneries,its not Shyam Bengal's parallel cinema,its not art movie,its pakistani film,whichave every kind of viewers,they want to enjoy,its just my suggestion,not want to criticise some one,Shaan is our Legend Riaz Shaid;s son,so lot of respect and love for him also,but fact is fact,he laready wasted himself lot of gandasa type movies,just give him soften look,where he can play every kind of role
Half baked and choppy characterisation.
Not well edited.
Mismatched cameras. Its ok to use different cameras but it shouldn't be obvious like when they shift from RED to crappy aerial footage. At least make it look the same.
Horrible subtitles. Sometimes there are english and urdu subtitles both running in parallel, and sometimes there are none when the character is speaking in pushto/farsi/what-not.
Shaan drives Google car which drives itself as he rides with Amna Sheikh and has his eyes off the road 99% of the time.
Hardly any establishing shots for the interior scenes. Camera is too much in the face that it almost looks like an indie film trying to cover up for lack of production value.
Amateurishly choreographed fights. Shaking camera isn't enough to imply action.
Snipers don't jhatka-zoom in and out when they track their target. They zoom once and keep both the hands on the rifle.
Serious movie? Hard to understand? Sorry thats not the case. The story is quite simple, just poorly told. Just because it doesn't have item number doesn't mean its for serious cinephiles.
but I am one of those stupids who watched this movie twice... phir bhi didn't like it lol
ok sorry just googled it and found it being released by Vox cienmas.
http://uae.voxcinemas.com/cs.aspx?id=HO00002690&fid=O21%20-%20Urdu
I am so utterly disappointed this movie is not released in UAE yet or if released I have no info at all... there are C grade Indian movies being released in UAE than why not this high class production released?
Any why Pak movies are not widely released on DVDs or Blu-ray's before we hit to pirates sites to watch them?
Movies from Indonesia and South Korea are available for international viewer but it's hard to get any Pakistani movie legally other than the pirates site.
intersting review but where's Rafay Mahmood????
What about the hugely problematic politics of the film. In the end Pakistani guy is the one who sacrifices and the Afghani just disappears or dies. Totally opposite to what is reality of Pak Afghan politics.
Terrible movie. Whatever momentum it gained it totally lost after intermission. Such a waste. The story was inane after intermission
It was an incredibly well directed movie!! Nice review. Loved Hameed Sheikh's performance. Love you, Hameed! <3<3
Its an awesome movie. I would definitely go see it again.
Where is Rafey Mahmood? Been looking forward to his review since the release of Operation 021. Disappointed to say the least. Surprisngly in a tweet he is all praise for the film.
Operation 021 is master piece. Proud of you Jami. Been following Pakistani cinema for a long time. The journey from Khuda Kay Liye to Operation 021 so far has been some journey. This is just the start.
Jami you have truly taken Pakistani Cinema to the next level.
Can't wait for the international release.