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29 March 2024

Diff Review: Pakistan's Oscar entry 'Dukhtar' is painfully poignant

'Dukhtar' (meaning daughter) is a gripping road trip that explores a mother's immense courage and unshakable grit. (Supplied)

Published
By Sneha May Francis

Oppressed by years of tradition and exploitation, an illiterate mother must fight her inner fears and vulnerabilities to free her 10-year-old daughter from a life that cuts short her childhood.

Written and directed by Afia Nathaniel, 'Dukhtar' (meaning daughter) is a gripping road trip that explores a mother's immense courage and unshakable grit.

After being uprooted from her family and her city at the age of 15 following her marriage to tribal leader Daulat Khan, Allah Rakhi was forced into a life of suppression. A life that she's determined her daughter will not live.

On the eve of her daughter's marriage to a man much older than her, she decides to go on the run.

Despite having no clear plan, she is confident of finding a way out of the misery.

Her journey unites her with truck driver Sohail, who decides, unwillingly at first, to help her in spite of knowing of its dire consequences.

We witness the thrilling chase as the mother and daughter trek through the rustic, rugged mountains and valleys of northern Pakistan, dodging the clutches of Daulat's devious men, and the notorious groom Tor Gul, wounded by the rejection.

Afia's debut tale is remarkably told, no doubt, but a tad emotionally manipulative. It focuses on social evils like child marriages but never delves into the dark side. Daulat Khan or Tor Gul are menacingly evil, but we never learn why. Her characters are in shades of black or white, but never grey.

Even her canvas is peppered with colour, but suddenly whitewashed to display symbols of hope and love.

Framed exquisitely by cinematographers Najaf Bilgrami and Armughan Hassan, 'Dakhtur' is a visual extravaganza.

While Afia packs in enough thrills, there are crucial moments during the hide-and-seek where she abandons us without explanation. Call it use (or misuse) of creative freedom, it's unpardonable when we are left off the chase without reason or warning.

Even, the narrative derails mid-way with the promise of an unnecessary romance.

Much of 'Dukhtar' rests on Allah Rakhi's shoulders, and it took an exceptionally talented Samiya Mumtaz to give her power and poise. It's her eyes, and often unspoken moments, that are the most commanding. She’s ably guided by the young Saleha Aref, who lends the innocence and charm to Zaineb.

The men are coloured in extremes, with Asif Khan and Abdullah Jan breathing fire into the devious Daulat Khan and Tor Gul (respectively), and Mohib Mirza lending charm and affection to the kind-hearted driver Sohail.

Although Afia might choose a theme that's a staple at film fests and showcases Pakistan in a "regressive" space, Allah Rakhi's struggles aren't bound by boundaries.

Afia's 'Dukhtar' is more about a mothers unconditional love for a child, and less about the social evils hidden in Pakistan's tribal terrains.

It's a movie that definitely involves the aud, and prods them to determine the fate of its characters.