ISLAMABAD: Following morning namaz, a heavy lunch (or dinner, or both) of biryani and hanging out with family and friends, Pakistan’s cinema industry is luring us to our nearest movie theaters.
Three of the country’s most highly anticipated films were released on August 22, scheduled for Eid.
Traditionally Eid is a big day for film releases, a major trend in neighboring India where — in similar fashion to the US and Christmas — it is a time when families get together over a number of days and go to the cinema together.
Nadeem Beyg’s long-awaited comedy “Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2” (JPNA2) will finally be released after a big promotional tour.
The first film, “Jawani Phir Nahi Ani” (JPNA), made box office history in 2015, becoming the highest grossing film ever in Pakistan, until this record was smashed in 2017 by another Nadeem Beyg Eid release “Punjab Nahin Jaungi.”
The sequel stars many of the original cast, including Ahmad Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry, Humayun Saeed, Uzma Khan and Sarwat Gilani. This time round they are joined by Mawra Hocane, Kubra Khan and Fahad Mustafa, who has another film out today.
Can the star-packed release, which has been garnering stellar reviews, top Beyg’s previous films and make a new box office record? JPNA2 picks up three years after the last film ends with new love interest and hilarious adventures for the film’s protagonists.
Mustafa also stars with Mehwish Hayat (who was in the first “Jawani Phir Nahin Ani” film) in “Load Wedding.” Written by Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi, who also directed the film, this is a romantic comedy served with an extra helping of wry social commentary.
The film tackles the very real, very unfunny wedding culture in Pakistan, shedding a light-hearted and intelligent gaze on the realities of life in Pakistan.
With “Load Wedding” also picking up rave reviews, Mustafa has two Eid releases wrestling for top spot.
The final release is the patriotic “Parwaaz Hai Junoon” starring Hamza Ali Abbasi. A tribute to the Pakistan Air Force, the movie tells the story of a group of Pakistan Air Force Academy cadets. The cast includes Hania Amir, Ahad Raza Mir, Kubra Khan (who also has two Eid film releases), Shah Khan, Shafaat Ali and Rachel Viccaji.
Directed by Haseeb Hassan, produced by Momina Duraid and written by Farhat Ishtiaq. Duraid has promised that profits from the release will be donated to PAF.
