“Beqarar”: The Famous Pakistani Film Unsuccessful in India
Did India’s superstar Aamir Khan earn the title “Mr. Perfectionist” with his very first film? Has he delivered only hit films since “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,” and is it true that he has never faced failure?. Not quite. Aamir Khan encountered difficulties at the start of his career, and some of his films were failures. He also faced criticism for working in ‘copy films,’ and according to some film critics, he appeared in a remake of a Pakistani film early in his career, a film you might recognize as “Beqarar.”
Early 1991: The Start of a Craze
The first private TV channel in Pakistan, STN, had begun broadcasting. This channel hooked my age group on old Pakistani films. During school free periods, we would often debate two famous films of that era: Amitabh Bachchan’s “Hum” and Aamir Khan’s “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin.”
The film “Hum” was discussed for its song “Jumma Chumma De De,” while Aamir Khan’s “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin” was often compared to the Pakistani film “Beqarar.”
The Classic “Beqarar”
Released in March 1986, “Beqarar,” starring Faisal Rehman and Babra Sharif, was on par with any Indian film in terms of songs, storyline, and cinematography. Faisal’s father, Masood Rehman, was a renowned cinematographer in the Pakistani film industry. Faisal made his film debut in 1980 with “Nahin Abhi Nahin,” working confidently opposite the seasoned actress Shabnam at the age of 14.
With an innocent face, dimples, and agility, Faisal’s charms were undeniable. The story of “Beqarar” was written by Syed Noor, produced by Riaz Gul, and directed by Hasan Askari.
Unique Storytelling
Syed Noor, the Pakistani director and writer of “Beqarar,” noted that the film’s unique storytelling captivated producer Riaz Gul immediately. Hasan Askari, a master of his craft with a degree in English literature and experience in filming novels like “Les Misérables,” directed the film.
In “Beqarar,” Babra played the role of Aini, a model, while Faisal portrayed Sunny, a photographer. Everyone loved Sunny, but he longed for Aini, who thought he was joking.
Aini’s elder sister, played by actress Zummurd, tried to counsel her. Eventually, Aini was engaged to a character named Rais, played by model and actor Sherry Malik, who also starred in Pakistan’s first sci-fi film “Shani.”
Sunny’s colleague Rakhshi (played by actress Sonia) liked him, but he ignored her. Sunny’s restlessness made everyone anxious, and the film’s comedic tone turned serious when Sunny tried to break Aini’s engagement.
Resonance in India
I watched “Beqarar” on a VCR in June 1986 when my father brought it from a video shop in Jeddah. The film likely made its way from Pakistan to India similarly. This was when Nadeem’s films were reviving Rajesh Khanna’s popularity in India, and Syed Noor’s “Faisla” was being copied frame by frame as “Paap Ki Duniya.”
For “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin,” Indian producers and director Nasir Hussain chose Aamir Khan, who was busy shooting his first film, “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak.” In this film, Aamir played Ajay, Madhuri Dixit was Anita, and Ranjita Kaur played the elder sister. Jay Nandira portrayed the fiancé.
An Imitation That Failed
“Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin” was almost a direct copy of “Beqarar.” If only a few elements had been borrowed, it would have been different, but the screenplay, dialogues, and even the get-up were strikingly similar. Aamir’s portrayal of heartbreak and antics resembled Faisal’s, down to the glasses he wore.
“Beqarar” featured Faisal on a bicycle, also used in a Naz Pan Masala ad by producer Saeed Rizvi. Apart from the substitution of the bicycle with a motorcycle, nothing changed in “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin.”
Another difference was that the character played by Khushboo in “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin” was slightly extended compared to “Beqarar,” and a song was filmed on her. The songs in “Beqarar” were outstanding, with lyrics by Riaz-ur-Rehman Sagar and music by M. Ashraf.
The Songs of “Beqarar”
The most famous tune was borrowed from musician Mian Sheryar’s Sufi song “Bhari Taane Chiriyan.” A. Nayyar’s “Yaar Ki Galiyon,” Noor Jehan’s “Saare Ladkon Ki Dhan,” and Nahid Akhtar’s “Jadoo Tere Pyaar Ne Kiya” were iconic, with Anwar Rafi’s “Meri Wafa Mere Wadey” breaking records.
In “Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin,” Udit Narayan’s song closely mirrored A. Nayyar’s “Sab Kuch Kehna Yeh Mat Kehna, Peechay Aana Chorh De.”
“Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin” was ready by mid-1989 but had no buyers. After the success of Aamir and Madhuri’s film “Dil,” it was released in July 1990 but failed due to a hurried script, lifeless acting, and weak direction.
Legacy and Criticism
Famous film researcher Sarfaraz Farid Nihash noted that “Beqarar” is one of the few Pakistani films copied in India, but the chemistry between Faisal and Babra wasn’t replicated by Aamir and Madhuri. He added that it wasn’t Hasan Askari’s first film to be copied in India.
Syed Noor believes that inspiration drives commercial cinema, allowing some creative leeway. However, when he remade “Beqarar” as “Chain Aaye Na” in 2017, he couldn’t update the film effectively.
With Shehroz Sabzwari as Faisal’s replacement, new actress Sarish Khan, and Waheed Murad’s son Adil Murad as Sherry Malik’s counterpart, even with big names like Nadeem and Shahid, the film didn’t succeed. Perhaps Hasan Askari’s direction was essential for success.