Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead.

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Bin Roye was my first in-theatre Pakistani film so naturally I was excited about it and later delighted by the whole experience. It was more of an urge to watch my favorite soap actors on the big screen than in support of the Pakistani film industry. Nonetheless, the odds were in favor of both.
Bin Roye as many have said before me, is your average Hum TV adaptation of an Urdu novel which was primarily the reason behind so many dislikes and disappointments. I think that bit was expected. It is indeed the adaptation of an Urdu romance novel, created by Hum TV and directed by Momina Duraid – renowned for excellent novel adaptations that are now being appreciated and adored all over the world.

Praise for Bin Roye
• The cinematography, choreography, soundtrack, dialogues, wardrobe, location and dance moves were the best part about it, to name a few. Although things seemed all unbelievable and poles apart from reality, it was pleasing to the eye and any movie that makes you forget about the monotonies of life and other worldly affairs totally works and that’s what it did, if only for some time at least.
• The feel of the movie was great. Although it could very well have just been a Hum TV telefilm. I think watching it on big screen did add something to it.
• Easily a movie you could enjoy with your whole family and not deliberately want to dig a hole and bury yourself in it.
• The songs were beautifully set and choreographed.
• The accident scene – better than most.

Some constructive criticism maybe
• The events were really abrupt.
• The rushing feeling: The lives and stories of some of the characters were not well or fully explained or not mentioned at all which left some blank spaces giving the feeling of missed scenes. I mean, how did she end up getting engaged to the other guy anyway?
• Too many disconnects: The lives of the characters were abnormally edited or eaten up or not shown at all so that none of the character’s true story and motives were understandable and the events associated with them didn’t have the feel, the attachment that may would have felt otherwise.
• The relationship between the sisters (Saba and Saman) wasn’t shown to be as deep or crucial as the consequences that basically led the film.
• Too many deaths. Too many tragedies. (typical Paki drama storyline)
• Level of Predictability: If you’ve seen a whole lot of them Paki dramas then you could even guess the whole thing while watching it. It happened with me. Call it instinct.
• Too many loose ends. Wait I think I already covered that.
• Humayun Saeed looks REALLY old. Not the hero I was looking for.
• Too many unexplained characters and events. (Like the adoption of Saman and the emotions related to it)
• Not very impressionable according to much of the lot. I kinda sorta agree.

The Bin Roye effect
The movie did have that Bin Roye effect on me. On one occasion my eyes welled up. No guarantees here, it might not work for some (read: most) of you.
Okay, moving on.

Is it going to revive the Pakistani film industry?

Hard to say. It shattered hopes and disappointed a lot of people but only those found it as their thing, their comfort zone were able to enjoy it fully. And after movies like Khuda k liye, Bol, Waar and Na Maloom Afraad this was something completely different, unlike anything you’ve seen on the big screen. Safe to say, they’re finally bringing in some versatility. Fingers crossed in any case.

My advice
If you like Pakistani dramas and especially if you are a fan of the work of Momina Duraid, Farhat Ishtiaq and Hum TV then you should go for it. In my case it was worth it.