Some movies are made for commercial reasons, others for enjoyment, but very few are made to impart life-changing lessons, let alone offer guidance. In Pakistan, however, one film seamlessly combined all these elements into one.

Nahin Abhi Nahin, released over 44 years ago, is one of the rare films that features an emotionally engaging narrative, while also exploring themes of love and ambition. Boasting the youngest cast ever to make their debut together, the movie portrayed the struggles of parents in raising their children, while offering a timeless lesson for those navigating the complexities of growing up.

The story follows Armaan, a bright village boy and the pride of his humble parents (Deeba and Qavi Khan), who dreams of becoming a civil service officer after excelling in his matriculation exams. His father, a simple farmer, takes him to the city with high hopes, but the journey takes an unexpected turn when the simpleton befriends Bobby, a city boy who introduces him to the thrills and temptations of urban life.

The iconic song ‘Kuchh bhi karo yeh rokain’, reflecting Armaan’s rebellion, marks this transformation. Standing in front of Karachi’s iconic Teen Talwar landmark (inscribed with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s famous Unity, Faith, Discipline slogan), the duo delivers a thought-provoking exchange:

‘Koi buzurgon ko samjhaye, koi inhay bhi tokay,

Dunya ke sab mazay urra kar, kharray hain raasta rokay’

[Can someone explain to the elders, can someone advise them too?

Having enjoyed the temptations of the world, they now stand blocking our way]

Amid his journey, Armaan develops an affection for a kind, slightly older woman who regards him as her younger brother. Misinterpreting her warmth, Armaan experiences emotional turmoil but ultimately realises the futility of his misplaced feelings.

The inspiration for the story emerged in 1979 from a real-life incident involving a schoolboy Armaan. After school, the boy would often bring his attractive teacher home — naturally, in her car — and insist she spend time with his family. Noticing the boy’s changed demeanour during these visits, his mother informed his father, expecting a reprimand.

However, the father, none other than visionary director Nazrul Islam (Sharafat, Aaina, Bandish), chose a different approach. He saw a story in the boy’s youthful emotions and decided to channel it into a meaningful film.

The story was penned by Syed Noor, a budding writer still finding his footing in the industry. Nazrul Islam assembled his team for the movie: dialogue writer Bashir Niaz, music director Robin Ghosh and lyricists Suroor Barabankvi, Saeed Gilani and Riaz-ur-Rehman Saghar.

Fauzia (Laila) and Ayaz Naek (Bobby) were added to the cast, as they were not new to acting. Fauzia had appeared in the hit PTV show 50-50, while Ayaz, a 16-year-old son of Naeem Naek, a civil servant-turned-actor from the famous PTV drama Qurbatain Aur Faaslay, had some experience in acting.

Fauzia was rechristened as Aarzoo but the lead actor was still missing.

Nazrul Islam needed someone who could act like a pro in front of an elder actress, while also easily romance a younger girl. Here entered Faisal Rehman, son of renowned cinematographer Masood-ur-Rehman, and nephew of Bollywood character actor Rehman. A student then doing his Matric, he was handpicked by Nazrul Islam to play Armaan.

At first, a 14-year-old Faisal thought he would play Nadeem or Muhammad Ali’s characters’ son, but was shocked with the outcome. “When I was selected for the role by Nazrul sahib, who came over to my house, I thought it was for the child actor category,” Faisal once told the scribe while discussing Nahin Abhi Nahin. “It never crossed my mind that I was going to play the lead at my age. I was renamed after Nazrul Islam’s son who was my age.”

Faisal’s heartfelt performance on Akhlaq Ahmed’s melodious ‘Samaa woh khwaab sa samaa’ on a bicycle became an iconic cinematic moment, capturing Armaan’s innocence and the vibrant charm of Karachi in the 1980s. Bicycles became a rage and teenagers made it a habit to roam on them on the clean and broad roads of Karachi.

The city was captured beautifully through the lens, showcasing landmarks like the now-defunct Funland, Midway Hotel, Paradise Point, Hill Park, Jehangir Kothari Parade and the globe near Islamia College, preserving a nostalgic snapshot of the city’s vibrant past now mostly gone and forgotten.

For the female lead, director Nazrul Islam and lyricist Kaleem Usmani zoomed in on TV actress Uzma Gilani, a veteran riding high on hit PTV dramas such as Waaris and Dehleez. Known for her no-film policy, Gilani politely declined the offer.

Gilani reflected on this with this scribe from Australia, where she now resides. “I was not much into films and cannot even count how many offers I declined,” she says. “Maybe Nahin Abhi Nahin was one of those films where the idea didn’t go beyond a meeting. Nazrul Islam, hailing from East Pakistan, might have seen it as an experiment, influenced by the rise of parallel cinema in Calcutta during the 1950s.”

Ultimately, Nazrul Islam turned to Shabnam for the role, who delivered one of her best performances. With minimal focus on songs for the leads, one could speculate why Gilani had been considered for the part at one point. Mehnaz had one song filmed on Deeba, Nayyara Noor rendered the funky ‘Ban jao tum filmstar’ for the debutant Aarzoo, but an unknown Adeeba just sang just two lines for Shabnam. But it was Shabnam’s star power that helped bring families back to the movie theatres in challenging times for cinema.

The young cast also delivered exceptional performances, with Ayaz Naek being the pick of the young trio. As a scheming, toying-with-ideas kind of kid, he stole the show. He did work in a few films afterwards but was more regular on TV. Fauzia and Faisal also became famous and were later seen in Hasan Askari’s Dooriyan (1984), and Saeed Rizvi’s famous Naz Pan Masala commercial, ‘Meri mutthi mein band hai kya.’ From there on, Fauzia took on the name Aarzoo.

The film remains a movie for all times. Youngsters who watched it during the ’80s and ’90s are mostly parents now and can relate to the struggles one faces trying to secure a good education for children. Qavi Khan’s portrayal of Khushi Muhammad, an illiterate farmer, is excellent as he harbours dreams of a brighter future for his son.

In an unexpected turn, film and TV actor Nanna took on a serious role as the school headmaster, embodying the caretaker of goodness. He effectively steps in for the father when needed, guiding and supporting Armaan in his journey. Amidst the corruption, bribery and incompetence that plagued even the ’70s, Nanna’s headmaster stood out as a sane voice, instilling true grit and determination in his wards.

In brief roles, Deeba was also impactful as the doting mother. Actor Allaudin, as Aarzoo’s father, played the typical helpless father who has little control on his daughter, and comic actor Rangeela, in his only scene, was hilarious.

The soundtrack of Nahin Abhi Nahin remains timeless, with Robin Ghosh’s melodies still fresh. Akhlaq Ahmed shone with three songs, and tracks such as ‘Kuchh bhi karo’ and ‘Uss ne dekha’ resonate with teenagers even today. Songs such as ‘Ban jao tum filmstar’ and ‘Samaa woh khwaab sa samaa’ added to the film’s enduring charm, evoking emotions that have transcended generations.

‘Uss ne dekha’ can easily be termed as a boy’s first experience with love. Poet Suroor Barabankvi’s last song for a film, ‘Samaa woh khwaab sa samaa’ refreshes the memories Nazrul, Robin and Suroor had from East Pakistan. Lyrics such as ‘Milay thay dil se dil jahan’ connect the listener to the pre-1971 era, when life was relatively peaceful.

For those who believe that the Pakistan film industry of yore rarely delivered good films, Nahin Abhi Nahin is a must-watch. In days of the onslaught of the VCR and easy access to Bollywood films, Nahin Abhi Nahin captured the market due to its production value, direction and cinematography, and set a benchmark, elevating it from being just another movie to a cinematic experience.

The comparison between Nahin Abhi Nahin and recent films such as the Pakistani Na Baligh Afraad (2024) and the Indian 12th Fail (2023) is intriguing. Both latter-day films seem to draw on themes that were central to Nazrul Islam’s 1980 film, particularly the coming-of-age element. Na Baligh Afraad, in its comedy format, mirrors the essence of Nahin Abhi Nahin in terms of young boys navigating the challenges of growing up, while 12th Fail also shares a similar narrative, with its portrayal of two friends from different backgrounds pursuing the IPS (Indian Public Service), which echoes the relationship in Nahin Abhi Nahin between characters from distinct social environments.

Writer, noted historian and educationist Khurram Ali Shafique recalls watching Nahin Abhi Nahin with his family, initially uncertain about his father’s reaction, especially considering the film’s bold themes for its time.

“I insisted on taking us all to watch the film. By interval time, I was sure that my father, although quite liberal in thought, would drag us all out of the theatre uttering ‘Kya beyhoodgi hai!’ [What rubbish is this!]. But at the end of the movie, all he simply said was, ‘Aisi film banana tauibaadat hai’ [Making a film like this is worship].”

Published in Dawn, Young World, December 15th, 2024