Aakhri Muqabala (1977)
Cast: Sultan Rahi, Najma, Akbar, Seema, Khalid Saleem Mota
Director: Khalifa Saeed
Music: Kamal Ahmed
Synopsis: Magnificent Socio-melodrama cum Kung Fu action potboiler.
Reviewed by: Omar Khan

Aakhri Muqabala came to my attention on a trip to New York City 2007. The guys from www.Cinemastrikesback.com presented me with a copy of the film they had already watched—a ‘70s Black and White Punjabi movie without subtitles, which was suddenly receiving some rave reviews from one of the best websites on cinema. An initial viewing took place in a Montreal Hotel hastily to enjoy the whole ‘70s vibe, splendid safari suits with flares that would put the Jacksons to shame, and Sultan Rahi in his element just before he went from star to megastar and beyond.

Bad songs filmed in public parks, complete with luscious freeze framing at particularly “saxy” poses, evil wigs and formidable moustaches, make for a giddy mix of ‘70s scuzzy. This film is even more noteworthy and memorable because intertwined amidst-the-usualconvoluted-melodramatic-masala is Lollywood’s first bona fide Martial Arts social drama. Aakhri Muqabala features electrifying fight sequences and stunts that make Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan look like Liberace on an off day.

Though the film inhabits the overly complex and competitive world of Martial Arts desi style, it is also a message-laden film that attempts to play to the gallery with its social and political moralizing. The story is about Rahi, a modern-day son-of-the-soil hero who supports and educates his geeky, witless, rather drip-like brother. To do this, he runs a Kung Fu training institute, which soon became known worldwide for its excellence.

Though Rahi is a man of limited means, he has a heart of gold and is hugely respected in the local community, especially as he is a oneperson justice system on the streets. The audience admires Kung Fu master Rahi bashing up a pimp and his prostitution racket. He then thrashes an opium supplier, helps old ladies with their domestic problems, and even agrees to marry a girl from the Red-Light area, emotionally blackmailed as he is by a lecturing, future mother-in-law.

However, matters are seriously complicated as it turns out that the geek brother has fallen for the sister of the family of a sworn enemy. Yet, the virtuous Rahi does the right thing by asking politely for the girl’s hand in marriage, following the traditionally prescribed manner. Sadly, Rahi’s gesture is shunned with ridicule and humiliation, upon which Rahi reminds his host of his ability to dish out his brand of justice. The idea does not go well with the powerful, evil Chaudhary, who swears he will never allow his high-class Khandaani family to wed into a family of low, working-class paupers.

After much careful deliberation, the evil goon gathers his accomplices to devise a plan to see Sultan Rahi’s ultimate downfall. The goal is to open a rival Kung Fu Academy and train the most vicious killing machines, who will then battle Rahi and karate chop him into submission. It is not long before their heinous plan is set in motion, and Rahi,

Aakhri Muqabala against all the ethics of a good bout of Kung Fu fighting, is beset by a horde of goons who manage to hack his leg brutally with some expertly placed karate chops. Poor Rahi has his leg amputated in the hospital, but his younger, erstwhile geek brother Akbar swears to avenge his brother’s horrid leg-busters.

To enable him to tackle the Kung Fu Kicking Goon squad, Akbar must enroll in Rahi’s School of Martial Arts and progress to the highest level before embarking on his brutal revenge trail.

Meanwhile, his enemies frame poor Rahi, and the notorious local police inspector drags him to prison. However, all is not lost as Akbar is determined to wear the coveted Scorpion belt, for which he must travel through all sorts of dreadful conditions and survive the most horrendous endurance test. Still, driven by his devotion to his vengeful cause, Akbar succeeds in his quest and secures the scorpion belt, symbolising the highest power in the Kung Fu hierarchy. Now that he has acquired the status once enjoyed by his legless inspiration and brother, he exacts a befittingly hideous revenge on those who dared to wreck his brother’s career.

Aakhri Muqabala is Lollywood at its finest vintage ‘70s form—the background score is a phenomenal fusion of local electro-tinged with psychotic organ playing desi style. The fight sequences are breathtaking and brutal simultaneously, while the stunts defy belief. However, perhaps the finest aspect of the film is the excellent array of extraordinary sound effects that mesmerize the fight sequences. Despite its abrupt ending, Aakhri Muqabala is one of the cinema’s finest Martial Arts Social Melodramas ever.