Pakistani Cinema

Trailer of Mehrunisa V Lub U is out

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 May 2017 11:45:00 +0000

The trailer of Danish Taimoor, Sana Javed and Javed Sheikh’s upcoming romantic comedy Mehrunnisa V Lub U is finally here and offers a better glimpse of what the movie might be about.

The previously-released teaser of the movie had left us all pretty confused, as it seemed to have no clearly theme in place.

Now, with its first trailer unveiled, Mehrunnisa V Lub U seems so much more than a typical romantic-comedy.

The trailer hints at the actual plot of the movie, which appears to revolve around three different but important issues that need to be shown light.

The first refers to how society pressurizes newly-wedded couples to announce the ‘good news’ as soon as they get married.

The second issue highlights is how said society seemed to oppose to change. In the trailer, Danish vows to ameliorate his surroundings in order to give the future generation a better chance at life.

The third issue highlighted is how the powerful elite often take away the rights of any common man.

Talking to The Express Tribune earlier, Danish revealed that his upcoming movie will focus on a subject that the film industry never drew attention to. “The message in the movie is one which was never brought to light neither by Bollywood, nor by Pakistani film industry,” said the Wrong No star.

With its trailer finally showcasing a different side of the movie, we can hardly wait for it to release this Eidul Fitr.

The movie also stars Qavi Khan and Danish Nawaz as well, and is produced by Yasir Nawaz.

Article Courtesy : Express Tribune

Riz Khan is taking flying classes to overcome acrophobia ahead of film Parwaz Aik Junoon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 19:19:00 +0000

KARACHI: Konstantin Stanislavski was the first director and actor from the Western tradition of performing arts to advocate acting as a craft that requires more than just physical and vocal training.

He created his own ‘system’ that helped actors activate conscious thought processes in a way that indirectly engages emotional experience and subconscious behavior. What later came to be known as ‘Method Acting’ became the bible for modern-day actors who often go back to Stanislavski’s system to get into character.

For Pakistani actor Shaz Khan, it was not as easy. He was offered to play an F-16 pilot in Parwaaz Hay Junoon but little did we know, he was actually afraid of heights. The stakes were so high that Khan felt there was no way out but to face his demons. He embarked on a SF-260 Marchetti jet fighter to overcome his acrophobia.

“Yaar, the only thing I had in mind was that it was a bad idea,” Khan laughs, while speaking to The Express Tribune over the phone. “But then, I was like you gotta do what you gotta do in life. I dive towards my fears and try to overcome them because that helps you grow as an artist.”

With the help of a co-pilot, Khan performed a close quarter dog fight with another Marchetti. These jets were last used in World War II so they are good for mission and formation exercises but don’t even come close to the capability and control of the F-16.

“The preparation process for this role was the same as any other role that I’ve done. In the end, you have to find the truth in the character. That is why I feel going up in the plane was important. This way, you are able to find a psychological relationship with the character.”

Khan is still in preparation mode and this expedition had nothing to do with the production cost of Parwaaz Hay Junoon. His first priority is to be fully equipped before shooting begins.

“I want to be able to hook into the character and actually feel the sensation,” he says, adding that the flight was going well until the co-pilot handed over the controls. “As soon as I got the controls, I started shivering, and as soon as I inverted the aircraft, I could feel the breakfast coming up in my throat. Man, I learned a lot!”

Shaz came to the fore in 2015, with his Pakistani film debut Moor, wherein he played Ehsaan. The process of approaching a character has emerged so much for him since Moor that he almost felt like a different actor as Asim in Dobara Phir Se and a lawyer defending a gang rape victim in an upcoming serial.

“I withheld a lot of things in Moor because I was nervous, but now I feel a lot more is there to be explored,” says Khan. He is of the opinion that the more you try and control things, the more you lose control of them. “It’s no different in acting. For me, it’s all about allowing a lot of research to come into your body, it’s like the process of osmosis.” Khan is slowly but surely getting back to the joy of acting after being all mucked up initially, as his passion for the art form is no longer getting in his way.

He is easing into this character by going through F-16 operational procedure texts and understanding what an F 16 pilot goes through, day in day out. “Like I don’t need to know them by heart, I don’t have to ‘rattafy’ them. But the process of synching in is really gratifying me. So it’s the difference between a amateur cricket player and someone who is throwing the ball out of the park at PSL.”

The exercise of methodically approaching his character of a PAF pilot has actually helped Khan fight acrophobia; he believes that one odd day, he will overcome his fear of heights. “I used to be really scared of even jumping off a ledge 20 feet above the water. Slowly and gradually, I did a few things that allowed me to get over it. This flying experience was obviously a huge step in the right direction and sky diving will be the last.”

Courtesy : Express Tribune

Link : https://tribune.com.pk/story/1366593/sky-limit-shaz-khan/

Reasons to look forward for Punjab Nahi Jaungi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 20:40:00 +0000

Whether it’s a romance, comedy or action, Lollywood has ensured to cover all genres this year! With so many movies lined up, it is hard to keep a count. However, there are some that have recently become the talk of the town for several reasons and Punjab Nahi Jaongi is one of them.

Here are a few reasons why you should actually look forward to Punjab Nahi Jaongi

1. Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat are back

Yup, that’s correct. After their mind blowing performance and chemistry in the famous drama Dil Lagi, the duo is going to be back on screen again and we cannot wait for them to sweep us off our feet by their performance.

2. Star studded cast

The duo isn’t the only highlight of the upcoming film - Urwa Hocane and Ahmed Ali Butt to name but a few are part of the extraordinary movie cast. Such talented people under one banner = amazing!

3. Nadeem Baig is back on set again

The man behind some of the most applauded TV dramas; Pyaray Afzal, Dil Lagi, Ladies Park, Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat, Takkay Ki Ayegi Baraat, Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat and giving a blockbuster Jawani Phir Nahi Ani as his debut, we’re well over confident that this will be much greater hit.

4. Made in Pakistan

Pakistan has been the recent preference of filmmakers when it comes to shooting and there is every reason to and this feature film is no different - all the sequences of this film have been shot in Pakistan only and we are quite excited to see what all new places have they explored.

5. Khalil ur Rehman Qamar's storytelling

After his massively applauded TV drama hit Sadqey Tumhare which according to him was based on events inspired by his life, everyone is positive that the script of this movie will also be an out of this world experience which will take the viewers on a roller coaster of emotions.

With the teaser releasing soon, we cannot wait for the movie to set the cinemas of Pakistan abuzz upon its release. Definitely one to look out for.

Article Courtesy : Hip in Pakistan | Author : AYESHA GHAFFAR

Original Article Link : http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1152139/reasons-to-look-forward-for-punjab-nahi-jaungi

Balu Mahi review: Paisa vasool but stretches too long

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 23:02:00 +0000

Last night at Nueplex cinemas I saw Pakistani actors dance around mountains, roll in the hay and it didn’t feel awkward. Since the onset of Lollywood’s wave of reincarnated cinema this was perhaps the first time it didn’t seem our actors were up to something alien. It was far from notions that are popularly considered against ‘our culture’ and they certainly walked the talk to rebut this myopic argument.

Throughout its promotions, the Balu Mahi cast has been vocal about the film being a typical paisa vasool offering that hardly has anything indigenous about it. That is unfortunately very true but even with all the clichés of modern-day romantic comedies, Haissam Hussain manages to keep you fixated for the most of his film. His sense of humour offers a refreshing mix of highbrow and whacky jokes and characters that come for a short while but leave a long-lasting impression. I couldn’t get Javed Sheikh’s ‘bheriya moment’ out of my head as I walked out of the cinema 10 minutes before the film ended. It had become too much for the bladder and Sadaf Kanwal’s beauty shots weren’t good enough reason to rest my case.

The film begins with Bilal (Osman Khalid Butt) all set to express his feelings to his girlfriend who is about to get married to another guy. As soon as the girl reveals her face, it turns out that it’s Mahi (Ainy Jaffri Rehman) and not the girl Butt was looking for. This creates confusion and Mahi forces Bilal to run away with her so as to save herself from a fate she never wanted. They run away only to realise the mistake they had committed and so begins a chase between their families and their dreams.

One could hardly contain a yawn during this entire establishing sequence. The drama though was forced, and actors, particularly Butt and Jaffri seemed rusty as if it was literally the first sequence of the entire shooting process. There were some major sound panning issues as well with the dialogues coming from one side of the hall and the score and effects from the other side. But just when you were about to look at your watch and think about the quality of caramel popcorns, the film actually picked up.

With the passing of narrative both Jaffri and Butt shined and showcased one of the most well-suited performances in Pakistani cinema. The edginess and confusion Butt portrayed as a man who is learning to dare and take charge of things remarkably blended with his good looks. He is in process of proving himself to be more than just a chocolate hero. Ainy on the other hand was the real surprise package; it seemed like either Mahi was tailor-made for her or that is actually a character very similar to her real life persona. Her dialogue delivery was on point and so was the spontaneity of her body movements, she was literally going with the flow and Hussain deserves equal credit for paying attention to such details. Team that with Sahir Ali Bagga’s exceptional command on excelling at film music and you have a recipe for success.

As a film buff I’ve always despised the romantic comedy genre. Its shallow and you know what’s going to happen in the end of it. That was exactly the case with Balu Mahi but where Hussain really stood out was his intertwining of sub-plots and subtlety with which he communicated them on screen. Having said that, like most of the Pakistani films and some Bollywood offerings too, he opened so many threads within the subplots that by the time he tried to resolve each one of them, it was already too tangled.

In Faiz’s words, director Haissam Hussain arrives like spring silently appears in the wilderness and gives us enough moments to embrace Balu Mahi despite its unbearable duration. You can easily walk out after two hours of the film and you aren’t going to miss anything…save for some drop dead gorgeous shots of Sadaf Kanwal.

Verdict: Balu Mahi is long but not tiring. Watch it so see Pakistani actors shake a leg in style

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Article Courtesy : Express Tribune

The star behind the Moon | Na Maloom Afraad

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 19:01:00 +0000

Actor Mohsin Abbas Haider seems to be on a streak of good luck. His brief stint as a rapper-singer in the show Mazaak Raat riveted the audiences’ attention towards him, but it’s with Na Maloom Afraad that he has established a standing in the industry.

Five years ago, Haider used to think that he could achieve fame and success overnight, but was given a reality check when he shifted to Karachi from Faislabad.

“I went to Napa to learn singing and thought that becoming a star will be an overnight process. That’s when I realised I was terribly wrong,” Haider tells The Express Tribune.

Today, his debut film Na Maloom Afraad has turned out to be a surprise package for Pakistani cinema, managing to garner both critical and commercial acclaim. However, his journey to the big screen does not just include TV as a milestone, as he spent considerable time in radio, something that is reflective in his ability to sing.

For now, Haider has no plans of making the drastic decision of quitting TV, as he feels that the cinema industry is still in its nascent phase. “I think I’ll continue with TV and will not just focus on films because, currently, our film industry is in the crawling stage,” he comments. “With one or two films releasing in a year, we can’t term this as the industry’s revival,” he adds.

Haider’s relationship with Na Maloom Afraad director Nabeel Qureshi goes a long way back. The duo has known each other since its early days in the industry and used to spend time together, brainstorming creative ideas. His chemistry with Qureshi is evident in his performance in the film.

Haider has often been panned by critics for over-acting, but he remains undeterred. “I never bother thinking about opinions others have about me. Many people a draw parallel between my stints in TV and film, ignoring the fact that what I do on TV and what I did in the film are two different things altogether,” remarks the actor.

Haider has closely followed and learnt from the works of actors, such as Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Talat Hussain, Salman Shahid and Waheed Murad. He is open to the idea of working in Bollywood, given that the script is substantial.

“I’d love to broaden my horizons. But it’s better to work here in a first-rate Pakistani film rather than opting for a B or C-category Bollywood project,” he states.

Citing the example of Fawad Khan and Imran Abbas starring in Bollywood films Khoobsurat and Creature 3D, he says that the former did a film that suited his style of acting, while the latter chose a “lame film for a debut” because of his indecisiveness.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2014.

Rightful battle?: Bilal Lashari’s Maula Jatt ready to roll

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 18:50:00 +0000

Not so long ago, it was announced that the iconic Maula Jatt film will be remade by not one but two producers. But the film’s remakes, which are being produced by Bilal Lashari and Faisal Rafi of Crew Motion Pictures, have triggered a creative firestorm. After the original Maula Jatt franchise’s producer, Sarwar Bhatti, said that the two can’t proceed with the projects as they haven’t bought the film’s rights, Lashari tells The Express Tribune that his film is ready to roll.

“We are legally covered for the film, which will soon enter the production phase,” says Lashari. The Waar director shares that he wasn’t aware of the allegations being levelled against him by Bhatti. Commenting on the authenticity of his project, he states, “Nasir Adeeb, the writer of the original Maula Jatt film, its prequel Wehshi Jatt and sequel Maula Jatt in London, has rights to the Maula Jatt franchise.” Adding, “Adeeb is a part of our team and has also written the dialogues of our remake of the film.”

Lashari earlier described his interpretation of the film series as much darker and grittier than the original films. He had mentioned that his film will be a “stylised take on Pakistan’s original film genre.” Maula Jatt tells the story of a feud between Maula Jatt (Sultan Rahi) and Noori Natt (Mustafa Qureshi), set against the backdrop of Gujranwala. The Maula Jatt character has dominated Pakistani pop culture for many years.

Where the debate over copyrights of Maula Jatt may have revealed loopholes, it’s important to note that Wehshi Jatt itself was inspired by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi’s short story titled Gandasa. Since Qasmi passed away in 2006, it will take another 42 years for his intellectual property to be openly available for public use.

Bhatti had previously expressed his resentment at the news of the remakes, stating that both the producers will be at fault legally if they proceed with their respective projects. “I met Lashari and have told him that he is not making the film legally. I informed him that whoever has invested in his project will suffer because he has not bought the rights to Maula Jatt from me. I also met Rafi and, unfortunately, nothing materialised,” Bhatti had said in an earlier conversation with The Express Tribune.

Maula Jatt was considered a resounding success of Pakistani cinema during the 1980s and spawned a number of sequels to become Pakistani cinema’s first unofficial film franchise. It had a successful running at the box office for several years in Punjab, with a cinema in Lahore screening the film for almost six years. The original Maula Jatt is currently being remastered in England for a release in Blu-ray and 3D technology.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2014.

Shaan calls Shah Rukh's film an 'Ocean's 12' rip-off

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:51:00 +0000

Pakistani film actor Shaan has criticised Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming movie, Happy New Year, calling it a rip-off of famous American comedy-heist film Ocean’s 12, the Gulf News reported on Tuesday.

“Happy New Year is what — Oceans 12? Let’s be honest. They have to realise that they don’t have any scripts anymore, whatever scripts they have, it starts to become an art film,” said Shaan speaking to Gulf News.

The actor who recently starred in Operation 021 is currently in Abu Dhabi for the International Showbiz Expo, where he is expected to discuss the growth and prospects of the Pakistani film industry.

He also added that Pakistan and India should work together to produce superior films.

“We actors don’t have to win votes, so we don’t have to belittle each other. Actors can still be friends. We can still make good films and go beyond boundaries. That will only happen if major stakeholders like Shah Rukh or Aamir will shoot a film in Pakistan,” said Shaan, who plans to do a remake of Mahesh Bhatt’s much-admired film Arth.

Shaan has also been cast in two upcoming Pakistani films, Yalghaar and Gidh.

While in the UAE, the Pakistani actor is also expected to walk the Red Carpet at the opening night of the Abu Dhabi Film Festival on Thursday.

Pakistan’s first spy thriller

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:50:00 +0000

Hats off to Zeba Bakhtiar and her son Azaan Sami Khan for producing Operation 021, a fast-paced action thriller, which gave the audience a glimpse of the sordid world of espionage and intrigue. Based on a screenplay by the Australian writer and director Summer Bodhi Nicks, places, periods and people are conjured up in depth and detail as the throbbing engine of the drama pulsates through closed rooms and open spaces at a fast pace. On closer examination, the film appears to be part documentary, complete with dates and timings, part adventure story with traitors and double agents; and part indictment of the greed of a superpower, whose operatives will stop at nothing to achieve their ends.

The theme is quite simple. An Afghan national named Abdullah, played to perfection by the Baloch actor Ayub Khoso, whose left eye is permanently closed, wants to save his country from continued strife after 30 years of war. To achieve his end, he works in collusion with a Pakistani patriot to save the two neighbouring countries from further turmoil. Their plan, which has to be completed within 21 hours, is full of peril. Failure would mean certain death for the two collaborators.

The plot revolves around possession of a microchip in which is stored information about the location of valuable minerals and three trillion dollars worth of deposits of lithium — the stuff that is used universally in cell phones. The bad guys are, of course, the CIA, represented by three men who report to a woman. The big question is: where is the chip, or rather, who the hell has the chip? Is it the Afghan Abdullah, who converses in Persian? Or one of the Pakistanis from across the border, who is also not afraid to sacrifice his life?

Shaan Shahid came across as his usual charismatic self. I was also impressed by the performances of Shamoon Abbasi and Aamna Shaikh. There was no overacting by any of the others, no unnecessary theatrics and none of the scenes were plugged into a barbecue pit of hot, sweaty emotion. The few brief glimpses of the beautiful Imaan Ali certainly made my day. To add a touch of authenticity, dialogues took place against a cluster of partisan rants in the background. All this was, of course, the good part. But, with no disrespect to Bakhtiar or her son, there were a few grey areas.

One of these was: too many scenes were shot in semi-darkness, and why did the director Jamshed Mahmood Raza, popularly known as Jami, and his co-director Summer Nicks, not throw in a few more lamps into that huge depressing room reeking of Stygian gloom where the local Afghan CIA operative who displayed a cynical philistine artiness held his meetings and conducted his interviews? I understand the place couldn’t possibly have looked like a suite at the Waldorf Astoria. But heck, all I am asking for is a little more illumination.

Another factor that bothered me was, I was never quite sure just where a particular action was taking place. Was the CIA quartet that surfaced from time to time located in Langley, on the Afghan border or somewhere in Pakistan? The insertion of a location somewhere on the screen, as is done in American movies when there is a rapid switch of vistas, would have been quite helpful. I also thought that both the music, as well as the sounds produced by the weapons, were too loud. However, all said and done, it was jolly good entertainment and I look forward to Zeba Bakhtiar’s next project. She certainly has the talent.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2014. (Artciel By Anwer Mooraj)

Extreme makeovers for Mission 5

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:01:00 +0000

Shaan’s upcoming film Mission 5 has evoked the eagerness of his fans. But this time, it’s not just because Shaan will star in the film, but also become he will be writing its screenplay. Produced by Shaan’s Riaz Shahid Films and Shiny Toy Guns, the film will feature the cast in striking avatars, helmed by veteran stylist Nabila.

“The Pakistani film industry is going through a revival and Asadul Haq (owner of Shiny Toy Guns), being a pioneer in this industry, has facilitated this comeback,” Nabila tells The Express Tribune. “We at Nabilas are proud to be closely associated with it and hope to make it grow stronger,” she adds.

Nabila will be giving “extreme makeovers” to the cast next month, something that she hasn’t done before for a film. The looks of the film will be revealed just before it hits the floor. “Someone once told me, if you want to do something different, ask your close friends first. They have known you all your life, so they can help you with your fears and dreams without batting an eyelash,” says Haq. Adding, “Having Nabila on my first feature is part of the same scenario. I have known her all my life and always looked up to her for her aesthetics and style sense.”

Tentatively titled Mission 5, the film is an action thriller intertwined with a love story and is said to have a production budget much higher than any Pakistani film released to date. Bafta-winning Director of Photography Nicholas D Knowland of Jinnah fame will lend his services for the project. And Hollywood actor Farhan Tahir, who starred in Iron Man and Star Trek, will feature as the main antagonist in the film.

As a production house, Shiny Toy Guns aims at being fully integrated, providing something for those who wish to be a part of the entertainment industry. Haq earlier shared the multitude of ways in which aspirants can seek assistance from the company. “It’s not about just directing. It’s about helping you finance, produce, post and, hopefully, distribute your project if needed,” he comments. “My ultimate aim is to take this forward in a way that it helps in exposing individuals to the productive side of the business.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2014.

Operation 21 - Concept Posters (Designer Omar Aqil)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 08:56:00 +0000

‘Mai Manto’ will release by the end of this year: Sarmad Khoosat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:20:00 +0000

News of ‘Mai Manto’ being in its final stage had been doing rounds in the entertainment section of newspaper and websites since the beginning of this year. And looks like there was some authenticity in those news snippets because the director himself has announced that the much awaited movie will see a release by December.

Another news which is rife about ‘Mai Manto’ is that a drama will also be aired based on the movie. Director Khoosat who is being very tight lipped about his project told HIP that he doesn't want to go in to details.

However, upon speaking to Saba Qamar, who will be playing the role of Melody Queen Madam Noor Jahan in the movie, it was revealed that the drama will only be made after gauging audience’s response about the movie.

“Manto was a very bold man and his speech and writings were full of prostitutes and cuss words. We want to see if audiences can digest such content. If there is an acceptance for the movie, only then the drama based on it will be aired.”

Speaking further about her role, Qamar elaborates that Manto used to write about Noor Jehan a lot, both bad and good and the legendary singer/actress was a big fan of him because of the element of truth in his writings. Although she found it a daunting task to portray Noor Jehan, Qamar says that she takes immense pride in the role allotted to her.

‘Mein Manto will make you forget Humsafar’

Referring to Khoosat, Qamar says that all the credit for her acting should go to the director only. She also says that Khoosat is working so hard on his role as Manto that at times, she feels like her close friend (Khoosat) has actually turned into Manto.

“Jis tarah us ne mujhe Noor Jahan ki rooh mei dhal diya hai, ussi tarah mujhe Sarmad mei Manto nazar aata hai.”

The killer beauty Qamar lastly says that Mai Manto will be a master piece and Humsafar doesn’t stand a chance in front of it.

“Sarmad ne jo masterpiece bana diya hai na, mai bet kerti hun ke log isko dekh ker Humsafar ko bhool jainge.”

The director of famous drama ‘Humsafar’ Khoosat, who is also playing the character of Manto in this movie, has been inspired with the literary genius since reading his work in 9th standard. However, owing to the near death of reading culture in our country, Khoosat thinks (and correctly so) the new generation doesn’t know much about Manto. This is exactly what his movie aims – to educate today’s youth about Manto’s life, the hardships he faced during the last five years of his life and the writing masterpieces he created during that period.

Written by Shahid Nadeem, the movie’s cast includes Mahira Khan, Saba Qamar, Imran Abbas, Sania Saeed, Hina Khawaja, Savera Nadeem, Nadia Afgan, Nimra Bucha and Adnan Tipu in prominent roles apart from Khoosat himself.

Originally Posted : HIP in PAKISTAN (Written By: Ayesha Ahmed)

Humayun Saeed, wife injured in Bangkok car crash

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 06:07:00 +0000

The actor, his wife and crew were in Thailand to explore locations for an upcoming film produced together by Six Sigma Plus and ARY Films.

Speaking to ARY News, producer Nadeem Baig, who was also in the van with Humayun, said that the accident happened when their driver took a U-turn and a bus hit their van from behind. As a result, their van crashed into a pillar.

Baig further added that Humayun was unconscious at the scene of the accident for 10 minutes. However, he is said to be out of danger now and recovering. He is expected to be discharged in a day or two.

Humayun, who has been in the industry since 1996, is also the CEO of Six Sigma Entertainment. The 43-year-old actor will be next seen in Malik, as well as Arth 2 and Bin Roye which has been in production for the last two years. He has won numerous awards for 'Best Actor' and has also won several Lux Style Awards.

Shaan Shahid: The ageless superstar

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 05:57:00 +0000

Filmstar Shaan Shahid has acquired quite a reputation recently for his (often misconstrued) jingoistic statements about working in Bollywood which inevitably triggered bigger debates about patriotism and artistic freedom. But for the millions who admire him, their love for this timeless hero — who plays a gandasa wielding gujjar and a morally upright army officer with equal ease — is not determined by words but box office numbers. Shaan may have skillfully maneuvered the complicated landscape of the Pakistani film industry over the decades but his love for celluloid is pretty straightforward — it is the manifestation of a young boy’s adulation for a father he only knew through his work and the desire to breathe life into things on a majestic 65mm screen.

It’s all in the family

Shaan’s performance as a morally upright army officer in Waar was highly appreciated by audiences. PHOTO COURTESY: PUBLICITY

Shaan’s genes can be partially credited for his undying love of films. Being the son of well-known filmmaker Riaz Shahid — who started his film career in 1962 with the film Susraal and went onto write several hits such as Yeh Aman, Farangi and Zarqa to name a few — the understanding and devotion to the medium came to Shaan naturally. Even though his father passed away when he was just a year old, his ideological influence continued to shape his career and decisions even long after. Perhaps it was the vacuum left by not having spent enough time with his father that made Shaan consciously search for the principles that his father once stood for, such as loyalty to the craft and persistence, and eventually embrace them. “The ideological DNA has to be carried through the generations from father to son or mother to daughter,” he says in an interview. “That is how you find a set of principles to build yourself upon.”

With a portrait of his father, acclaimed filmwriter Riaz Shahid, who remains a strong influence on Shaan’s personal and professional choices. PHOTO COURTESY: SHAAN

Following in his father’s footsteps is also one of the reasons why Shaan believes he has survived the test of time and regained his status as the face of Pakistani films without switching to any other form of storytelling. “I had a legacy to take forward which was more of a responsibility on my shoulders,” he asserts. “The fact that my father made so many controversial films in that era gave me the motivation that things will only get better.” His decision to pursue formal training in filmmaking from The City College of New York further convinced him that films were his true calling. “My studies just did it for me. The entire process of working with a team to put a story together is so engrossing that I knew that if I can get this form of communication right, then nothing else will surpass that experience,” he shares.

As Shaan evolved from a young wide-eyed boy struggling to mark his presence in a frame to a suave powerhouse who commands attention on screen with every gesture and dialogue, his family remained a staunch constant in his life. Everyone, from his mother to wife Amina, his triplets and brother’s family kept him rooted in reality. So while the characters he played changed constantly, the Shaan who walked off the film set always remained the same — a husband, a son and a father. “You must have heard of actors who grow a beard when they take a break from acting and are just chilling at home but that is not the case with me,” he shares as he blushes and rubs the goatee that he is sporting these days for a press release. “My daughters don’t let me kiss them when I have a stubble, so I basically have to shave every other day to meet ‘their’ expectations.”

With his wife and daughters. PHOTO COURTESY: SHAAN

Everything’s better on the big screen

Currently, as Shaan prepares for the release of his highly anticipated thriller Operation 021 which hits cinemas in the first week of October, his eyes are already set onto his next goal — venturing into film production and direction. The transition should be smooth given his vast experience and understanding of the medium. But Shaan’s focus is much bigger — he wants to stabilise an industry that has long been fractured by inflated egos, unnecessary politics and divisions between Karachi and Lahore, the two major Pakistani centres for film. “First of all we need to have a no-ego club because that is the only way to work for a common cause,” he says.

On the set of Waar, with director Bilal Lashari. PHOTO COURTESY: PUBLICITY

“Once the club is formed, we will have to include all the Karachi and Lahore-based filmmakers in it and help them understand why ending the Lahore-Karachi clash is more important than resolving the India-Pakistan conflict.” He elaborates that all the experienced film writers and technicians are twiddling their thumbs in Lahore whereas all the fresh minds are in Karachi. To bridge this gap, Shaan recommends the formation of a national guild, where actors, producers, directors and technicians from across the country can collaborate. He cites acclaimed Pakistani entertainer, Shoaib Mansoor as an example of someone who missed the opportunity to create an industry.

“Had Shoaib Mansoor come out of his ‘Shaoib Mansoor’ mode, he could have easily become the Yash Raj Films of Pakistan. But he chose to keep everything to himself and as a result ended up producing two films in 10 years which is nothing!” He pauses to take a sip of water. Being a staunch advocate of seniors’ responsibility to support and promote the younger lot, Shaan has also set up his own production company called ‘Riaz Shahid Films’ where young filmmakers will be welcomed to pitch their ideas. Similarly, he also signed a film, Shiny Toy Guns with a Karachi-based production company which is scheduled for release in 2015.

A scene from the film, Waar which broke all box office records in Pakistan. PHOTO COURTESY: SHAAN

The times they are a-changin’

Despite all its challenges, the Pakistani film industry has gone through a major revival in the past few years. Films like Khuda ke Liye, Waar and Zinda Bhaag have not only proven their commercial worth at the box office but also put the Pakistani film industry back on the entertainment map. Local artists like Ali Zafar, Humaima Malik, Imran Abbas and Fawad Khan have also landed Bollywood deals. Recently, the Fawad Khan starrer Khoobusrat created havoc at the local box office by beating the Yash Raj Film’s production Daawat-e-Ishq.

The poster from Operation 021 scheduled to release this month. PHOTO COURTESY: PUBLICITY

The film has also been labelled a hit in India and Khan has been flooded with modeling and acting offers. The overwhelming reception, both at home and across the border indicate the arrival of the new Khan in Bollywood but will it create serious competition for Shaan back at home? “Not really,” Shaan responds confidently. He turned down the role of the villain in the 2008 superhit Ghajini as he was dissatisfied with the limited scope and potential of characters that are usually offered to Pakistanis in Bollywood. “Although I have not seen his film yet but the Ali Zafars and Fawad Khans have to compete with each other to prove a point.” He adds that he would only consider them competition if they remain as resilient and picky as he has been in refusing to do certain kind of films for a long time.

During a shoot for Operation 021 with co-star Shamoon Abbasi. PHOTO COURTESY: PUBLICITY

More than his acting, Khan has been hailed for his charming good looks and has had women sighing and swooning on both sides of the border. Seeing Khan’s reception, one can’t help but wonder how the chiseled maverick Shaan will be received by audiences, women especially, if he starred in a Bollywood production. “I like the idea but then I also have a wife,” says Shaan with a mischievous smile. However, he is quick to add to the comment on a serious note, “I am not closed to [the idea of] working in Bollywood, given that they don’t cast me specifically as a Pakistani. Secondly, this is not the time to go anywhere because if I go to Bollywood right now then no one’s going to stay back.”

A scene from his upcoming film, Operation 021. PHOTO COURTESY: PUBLICITY

Even though, it is his firm stance about working in Indian films that has attracted all the media attention, Shaan’s approach towards working in films produced anywhere in the world is uniform. “Winning an Oscar does not mean anything to me because I am more of a people’s man,” he says. “My fulfillment is derived from the average man on the road who leaves feeling satisfied after watching my film.” According to Shaan, every actor sets their own benchmark for success. For him, his position is somewhat similar to that of a doctor serving patients in Congo. “If someone offers him a well-paying job in the US, will he take it? Not really. Because the work he is doing in Congo is unique and cannot be replaced by the best of offers.”

With his wife Amina, who has been a constant source of support for Shaan throughout his career. PHOTO COURTESY: SHAAN

Maula Jatt to rerelease in 3D

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 05:42:00 +0000

If there is a film to come out of Pakistan that ‘cult status’ can be conferred on, it would have to be Maula Jatt. Muhammad Sarwar Bhatti, the producer behind the Maula Jatt film franchise, has announced the rerelease of the iconic film in Blu-ray and 3D technology.

Bhatti, who is the chairman of Bahoo Films Corporation, shared that the film is being enhanced in London using latest 3D technology. “The film is in the process of being remastered in London. The conversion will take place both in London and Pakistan and is going to cost an estimated Rs4 million to Rs5 million,” he said.

Filmmaker Bilal Lashari chose to remake the film as his next project, but so has production company Crew Films. While speaking to The Express Tribune, Bhatti disclosed that he has not given the film’s copyrights to either of the two.

“I met Lashari and have told him that he is not making the film legally. I informed him that whoever has invested in your project will suffer because you have not bought the rights to Maula Jatt from me,” said Bhatti. Lashari earlier described his vision for the film, stating, “My version of Maula Jatt will be a visual epic with less dialogue and many captivating moments. It will be a dark but stylised take on Pakistan’s original film genre.”

Bhatti further shared, “I also met Faisal Rafi [senior producer at Crew Motion Pictures] and unfortunately, nothing materialised. I told them that they cannot proceed with the project until they buy the rights from me.”

On the question of whether the decision to rerelease Maula Jatt is financially viable, Bhatti said, “I have enjoyed the success of the film and know how far its reach is. The film will hopefully draw large crowds.” He added that the unique selling point of the film is that it caters to the masses, unlike most films being produced today. “The films being made today are for the elite and are being screened in multiplexes,” he commented. “Maula Jatt is a film that was enjoyed by all audiences and was even screened in a cinema in Lahore for six years.”

Maula Jatt depicts a bloody feud and is set against the backdrop of the city of Gujranwala. The film follows the rivalry between Maula Jatt (Sultan Rahi) and Noori Natt (Mustafa Qureshi). The Maula Jatt character has dominated Pakistani pop culture and folklore since several years.

The film was a resounding success in Pakistani cinema in the 1980s and spawned a number of sequels. In doing so, it became the first-ever unofficial Lollywood film franchise with sequels, such as Maula Jatt Te Noori Natt and Maula Jatt in London.

Bhatti looks forward to releasing the trailer for Maula Jatt 3D in the coming few months. “I am hopeful about releasing the trailer for the film in the next six to eight weeks, soon after the post-production phase is complete,” he said.

Gidh (2015) First Look Teaser | HD | PakistaniCinema

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:54:00 +0000

8969 Official Teaser | HD | PakistaniCinema

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:52:00 +0000

Operation 21 (2014) Official Trailer | HD | PakistaniCinema

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:51:00 +0000

NMA & O21 - Total Collection (From Day 1 to DAY 12)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 06:27:00 +0000

Dukhtar (2014) OST (4 Tracks) (Downloadable)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 08:33:00 +0000

Na Maloom Afraad Review (by Picture Pakistani)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 13:12:00 +0000

Mubarak Ho … Halaat Kharab hogaye Shakeel Bhai.. And this very one line ,Ladies and gentlemen , Sets the tone for a hilarious ride called Na Maloom Afraad!

Before I begin, let’s get one thing Straight, Na Maloom afraad is NOT inspired / Copied from Hera Pheeri, Yes the idea is similar. i.e 3 broke men coming together to hatch a plan on how to get rich quickly. But that’s about it. Na Maloom Afraad is very Pakistani, as much as it could get! And to further add as much as karachite it could get!

Naa Maloom Afraad doesn’t promise to be different. It packs in ample laughs, illogical situations, rib-tickling sequences and witty one-liners in those 2.30 hours. In fact, writer-director Nabeel Qureshi borrows everything available on the shelf and comes up with a plot that may sound silly to a few, but nonetheless succeeds in its endeavor of making people laugh.

Naa Maloom Afraad is a story of 3 Halaat kay maray , mazloom Pakistani souls, Moon (Mohsin Abbas Haider) , Farhan( Fahad Mutafa), & Shakeel bhai (Javed Sheikh) , bought together by fate . In pursuit of their dreams. They only have one aim,to get rich as quick as possible. Together, they hatch an interesting plan and wait for the moment to execute it and during their quest,they find themselves in one big mess. Were they able to get it accomplished? Were they able to overcome all the obstacle in their path and get what they wanted? To answer that ,You would have to watch the movie..

Na maloom Afraad is based on a very interesting story line. An original Pakistani story which Is based on something every Pakistani can relate to.at the same time. It’s like a breath of fresh air. I remember how much I had stressed that we need to make movies for everyone. Some masla here and there. Some nice songs. Some romance and a good story line. For some odd reasons our movies were either way too “ Vey Gujra” or way too serious! Mein hoon shahid Afridi did the trick and Na maloom Afraad is another movie that falls in to the same genre. Like the famous dialogue, Filmein sirf 3 cheezon ki waja say chalti hain… “ Entertaiment , Entertaiment, Entertainment” and Na Maloom Afraad is filled with it.

NMA Starts really well. With straight out of life characters and incidents. Its commending to see how the writer duo (Nabeel Qureshi & Fizza Ali Meerza) haven’t gotten into showing off the intellectual side by showing oh I know so much!! Look at it! .. Instead they have focused on the basics and what comes out is a really well shaped movie.

To be honest NMA comes as a surprise . Even the pre-polls showed 021 as the 1st choice for the movie goers to watch this festive season. However NMA has taken everyone by surprise

It will be unfair not to applaud the efforts of the Cinematographer (Rana Kamran) , Yes you can see Nabeel’s input in it, however Na Maloom Afraad is a real showcase of Karachi, the streets, the road side bun kabab stall, chaat and gola ganda at dhora jee, dhaabay ki chai, strikes, jalao gherao. The famous locales of Saddar and the wonderful old architecture of Karachi has been shot so beautifully that you can’t stop falling in love with this amazing city! I remember I went to Newyork right after I had seen Kal ho na ho…. That’s the power of great cinematography and trust me after watching NMA, you would want to see Karachi! The real Karachi!

Nabeel Questhi’s writing and direction are aimed at the masses. He scores brownie points as a director however as a writer, he could’ve trimmed down the 1st half. The dialogues are amazing and have been taken straight out of life, something which everyone can relate to, as I mentioned before.. The movie is very very Pakistani !

Shani & Kami ,Vicky Haider’s music is of the popular genre. “Darbaar “Reminds you of “Mein Pershan” from Ishq Zaday, “Purr “Purr” sung by Sajjad Ali is good. However the pick of the lot has to been billi, which is rightly aimed at the masses and has the right feel to it.The tracks alsohelps in uplifting the pace of the movie which was really needed towards end.

Naa Maloom Afraad belongs to Fahad Mustafa and Mohsin Haider from Scene A to Z. Infact to be honest Fahad Mustafa doesn’t try any heroics and remains honest to the character, there are times when the actor takes a back seat and let the debutant Mohsin Haider do the talking and that is the real strength of the movie. Mohsin Haider comes as a surprise package, his comic timings is awesome and its really heartening to see such an amazing talent debut in a grand way. In fact some of the best one liners are delivered by Mohsin and how well he has done that. Haider is, for sure the Star of the future. The lad can act! Sing as well as Dance. Just need to brush up on his looks and hair style. Some tweaks here and there and we will have the super star! That’s exactly how super stars are created!

Javed Sheikh Delivers a towering performance. Very articulate and to the point. In fact it’s his experience and maturity that’s fills the gaps and any short coming! The chemistry between all 3 of them is amazing and it shows

Salman Shahid (gogi) as the main villain is great. In fact his performance will be remembered for a long time! Watch out for his dialogues!

The movie is boosted with many small cameos. However the one that stands tall amongst the rest is Saleem Mairaj’s scene. , which is for sure going to bring the house down! Take a bow Saleem Mairaj!

Urwa Hocane (Naina) as the leading lady doesn’t get much scope,at the same time. She is amongst the weakest link of the movie. It’s been righty said that movies are real tester and it really shows. Urwa falls flat. I guess the movie did not have any scope for the mazloom rooti dhoti woman and hence she couldn’t keep up to it.

The new comer Kubra Khan (as hina Merchant) is a decent addition. However is hardly there and also needs to brush up on her urdu skills! Mehwish Hayat’s Track is not interesting, there wasn’t any need for her induction in the story. The movie could have done much better with her item song only!

Any shortcomings? Yes, The Screen Play could have been much tighter, especially in the 1st half, the movie does drag in the beginning and few minutes in the 2nd half. However picks up right after the item number, The movie should have been trimmed at least by 30-45 minutes to keep it pace going!, however in all honesty, it will take some time before our movies can get that. We can see the rawness which was bound to happen as this is a fresh product with almost zero experience of prior Film Making. We could see reminisce of Pakistani Dramas and that’s what our directors and story writers need to learn. How to disconnect themselves from the Drama Mode!

On the whole Naa Maloom Afraad has ample masala to keep its target audience, the masses mainly — more than happy. At the box-office, the film has opened to a thunderous response, the movie has already surpassed the business of BANG BANG in Pakistani theatres, a total Paisa Wasool Flick aimed for the masses. Has all it takes to attain the ‘Hit’ status due to the huge, record-breaking initial from the movie goers

Written by Faraz (Picture Pakistani)

Azaan Sami Khan got the Rights of Novel “The Prisoner” to adapt as film

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 09:02:00 +0000

Jami Mahmood (Director of O21) have mentioned that he and Azaan Sami Khan (Producer of O21) had got the rights of a Crime Fiction Novel “The Prisoner” Written by Omar Shahid Hamid. They already started preproduction and script sessions.

Synopsis of Novel “The Prisoner”:

On an unusually cold December evening in Karachi, American journalist Jon Friedland is kidnapped from one of the city's poshest neighbourhoods. His captors plan to post a video of his execution on Christmas Day. The kidnapping has come at a bad time, embarrassing the Pakistani government in front of their US allies. The clock is ticking. Will the police and Intelligence Agencies recover Friedman alive?

The story careens through the streets of Karachi, taking the reader into an all too real world of jihadis, corrupt police officers, and bloodthirsty political henchmen – all placed together in a city where no one is quite what they seem.

About “The Prisoner” writer:

Omar Shahid Hamid served with Pakistan's Karachi police for 12 years, during which time he was targeted by various terrorist groups and criminal outfits. He received his Masters in Criminal Justice Policy from the London School of Economics, and his Masters in Law from University College London.

By Admin : Yasser Bilal

Na Maloom Afraad (2014) OST (9 Tracks) (Downloadable)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 07:13:00 +0000

Namaloom Afraad: A case for unknown persons

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 10:33:00 +0000

KARACHI: Wolf whistles and sporadic laughter rippled through the cinema hall during the press show for a new Pakistani film, Namaloom Afraad (unknown persons), at the Atrium Mall on Monday evening.

A number of journalists attended the screening followed by a brief interaction with the principal actors, director and producer of the film. The makers of Namaloom Afraad supported locally made films so that they could compete with movies made in other parts of the world, especially in India.

Javed Sheikh, who plays the pivotal role of Shakeel in the film, looked and sounded quite excited on the occasion. He claimed that Pakistani cinema was getting back on its feet. Alluding to a political slogan, he chanted ‘Tabdeeli aa gaee hai’ (change has come) and argued that while Pakistani TV plays already enjoyed a good reputation, time had now come for Pakistani cinema to compete with India’s. He praised the director (Nabeel Qureshi), producer (Fizza Ali Mirza) and cinematographer (Rana Kamran) of the film and called them a ‘lethal combination’. He also had encouraging things to say about his co-actors (Fahad Mustafa, Mohsin Abbas Haider, Urva and Mehvish).

Mohsin Abbas Haider said we should back whatever was being churned out by Pakistani film-makers and requested the media to support all the forthcoming local films.

Fahad Mustafa said he was relieved to notice the audience’s reaction to the film because it quashed the rumours that the story of ‘Namaloom Afraad’ was not original.

Urva said she was happy that the movie was being appreciated. Director Nabeel Qureshi enthused that hearing people laugh at the jokes in the film gave him the satisfaction that the hard work that he and his team had put in the last one and a half years hadn’t gone in vain.

Talking to Dawn Qureshi said the songs in Namaloom Afraad were part of the narrative and were woven into the script. He justified the item number filmed on Mehvish Hayat reasoning that it was related to a celebratory moment of the three main characters. He, however, conceded that if cine-goers could dance to Indian item numbers, they could also dance to Pakistani songs. With regard to the dubbing of the characters’ voices and audio balancing, he said it was the sound system in the hall because of which the ambience of Karachi streets could not be felt.

Namaloom Afraad pivots around a diffident man, Shakeel (Javed Sheikh), who with his wife has led his life in the most honest way possible, looking after his younger sister Naina (Urva) after the death of his parents. He has a tenant, insurance agent Farhan (Fahad Mustufa), who is later joined as the other tenant by Moon (Mohsin Abbas), a call centre worker.

Farhan and Moon are trying to make it big in Karachi but find it hard to earn a decent living. Shakeel’s life too is in a shambles. Things take a dramatic turn when the three men make a plan to become rich, but a gangster, Gogi (Salman Shahid), makes things more difficult for them.

Published in DAWN | Written By : Peerzada Salman

Na Maloom Afraad (2014) Posters

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 07:30:00 +0000

Brown-Harvard Pakistani Film Festival 2014 | OCT 31 to Nov 02 (Schedule)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 06:27:00 +0000

Fri Oct 31: Hallow’s Eve: Chainsaw Spatter

6:00 pm Zibaah Khana (77minutes)

Sat Nov 1: Saint’s Day: Directors in Conversation

11:20 am A Brief History of Pakistani Cinema Lecture by Iftikhar Dadi

12:00 pm Josh (104 minutes)

2:00 pm Q+A with Josh Director, Iram Parveen Bilal

3:00 pm Lunch

4:15 pm Zinda Bhaag (120 minutes)

6:30 pm Q+A with Zinda Bhaag Director Meenu Gaur & Producer Mazhar Zaidi

7:30 pm Reception

Sun Nov 2: Bloody Sunday: Contexts of War

10:00 am Panel Discussion: Bollywood and Hollywood; Betwixt & Beyond

Ramyar Rossoukh, Richard Delacy, Kamran Ali

11:30 am Waar (140 min)

2:00 pm Discussion on Waar

3:30 pm Roundtable Screen Stories & the Lives of Others

There will be a free shuttle from Harvard Square. to Brown on Nov1st.

START : Fri, Oct 31, 2014

END : Sun, Nov 2, 2014

VENUE : Brown University

ADDRESS : Martinos Auditorium, Granoff Center, 154 Angell Street

Providence, Rhode Island 02906 USA