KARACHI: The official trailer of Pakistani horror-comedy, “Lafangey,” was released to the public at the Karachi Arts Council on Monday, with cast members and the director saying they were confident the public would react positively to a film that offered something new.
The movie, due to be released next month on Eid Al-Adha, revolves around four young men who have big dreams and goals, but are clueless how to achieve them.
Salman Saqib Sheikh, popularly known as Mani, who recently appeared in “Ishrat – Made in China,” is one of the four main characters driving the story.
He told Arab News he was confident Lafangey was good enough to outcompete the other two movies, London Nahi Jaunga and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, also scheduled for release over Eid.
“We have already sold several shows,” he said. “Brands have booked our screenings in advance, so there is nothing to worry about.”
He said the difficulty with horror comedies was to get the special effects right and make them convincing to win public appeal.
“But I think we have been able to deliver what we promised,” Mani added.
“I think it is less risky to explore something new than go after traditional genres like everyone is doing,” Tariq Habib Rind, who produced the film, added. “This is going to be groundbreaking.”
Sami Khan, one of the four main characters, said the cast members felt lucky to be part of a film that was trying to break new ground.
“People always complain there is no diversity in content,” he said. “Now that we are bringing something different, they should accept it.”
(Left to Right) Mubeen Gabol, Mani, Sami Khan and Saleem Mairaj pose at the trailer launch of their upcoming film Lafangey in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 27, 2022 (Take II Media Consultants)
Writer and director Abdul Khaaliq Khan said Lafangey was inspired from a Bengali play.
“There hasn’t been a horror-comedy in Pakistan before,” he said. “We have given our best and are hopeful it will work.”
According to Saleem Mairaj, one of the four main characters, the film required far less resources than an animation.
“About 70 to 80 percent of it is shot on a single set that we designed ourselves,” he said.
Actor and comedian Mubeen Gabol added: “The standard for VFX [visual effects] is very high these days in the neighboring country [India] as well as in Hollywood. But believe me, you will find that the film managed to maintain the same standard which is huge. Just go to the cinema once and this movie will bring you back again toward itself.”
Veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari, who has returned to the silver screen after several years, described Lafangey as a “technically sound film.”
“We shot it in just 22 days,” he said. “I am 100 percent sure it will resonate with audiences.”
