Trailer review: Dum Mastam is a colourful commentary on artistic aspirations and setbacks

Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan finally revealed the trailer of their upcoming film, Dum Mastam, at a star-studded event. The trailer filled with colourful imagery, romance, drama, energetic dance numbers and Punjabi humour lived up to our expectations as it has all the ingredients that are anticipated from a romantic comedy based in Punjab.

Imran as Bao is a hopeless romantic who is head over heels in love with Amar’s character, Alia Butt. Alia is a free-spirited girl who is not impressed by Bao’s theatrics and is not interested in trappings of love. While Bao does all that is expected from a typical filmi Punjabi boy i.e. sing, dance, roam on a bike, deliver cheesy one-liners, break a few bones, and never back down, Alia aspires to become a star performer. She likes dancing and one day, she gets a chance to perform on an international stage.

What’s exciting and fresh in the trailer is Imran Ashraf dancing to a beat with Amar Khan and beating goons up as an action hero. These are two sides of  Imran that have not been explored on television as of yet. Amar has also shown her potential as a dancer and command over the Punjabi language. The cinematography and production quality appears to be of high value and that’s impressive as this is Adnan Siddiqui’s first feature film as a producer; he also has a cameo appearance in it.

The music also seems to be a strong point in the film as the two songs in the trailer are appealing. With musical champions like Azaan Sami Khan, Bilal Saeed, Shiraz Uppal, Shani Arshad, Naveed Nashad and many more working on the soundtrack, it is bound to be soulful and catchy.

However, for an ace director like Ehteshammuddin, the choice of the last 10 seconds of the trailer is questionable. At a time when transgenders are already struggling for their rights and are trying to claim their rightful place in our society, adding a tone-deaf comment in the film leaves a bad taste. It is a widespread practice in certain households to invite transgenders on weddings or celebratory occasions to dance and give blessings because it is considered auspicious. But when Bao talks about dancing, Sohail Ahmed’s character carelessly says ‘Dance hum ne kiun karna ha… oh jo khusray mangwaye hein wo umeed se hain [why do we have to dance, are the transgenders invited pregnant?]. Films can be a great medium to appreciate the community and be inclusive, rather than create more stark differences.

The transformation of Imran’s character, Bao

The story of Dum Mastam appears to be a clash of egos as depicted by Bao’s dialogue: Aap ko star banna tha na… bann mein gaya [you wanted to become a star, but I ended up becoming one]. Though the two will have their fair share of challenges, Bao — a roadside Romeo — will get a chance to become a visually smarter and emotionally-detached singing sensation, while Alia who rejected him for high ambitions might not be end up as successful. Imran’s physical transformation for the look is quite commendable as it comes as a delightful surprise. He looks effective and in command of the superstar persona.

The plot isn’t something we haven’t seen before, but perhaps the execution will turn out to be the main highlight of Dum Mastam.

Amar Khan has not only played the female lead in the film but has also written the script of this romantic comedy. It has been directed by Mohammed Ehteshammuddin, who has previously directed Superstar. The film also features Kiran Malik, Momin Saqib, Saleem Mairaj, Arslan Naseer, Saife Hasan, Uzma Beg, Agha Mustafa Hassan, Sohail Ahmed, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Adnan Shah Tipu, Faiza Gillani, and many more. Nigah jee is the choreographer.

Produced by Adnan Siddiqui and Akhtar Hasnain for Cereal Entertainment, and distributed by HUM Films, Dum Mastam will release on Eid ul Fitr 2022.

Watch the trailer here: