Pakistan Zindabad! Battle for box office azadi

KARACHI: 

The second half of 2015 has shaped up very nicely for Pakistani cinema. Having gathered momentum following the release of multiple Pakistani films — Wrong No. and Bin Roye – on Eidul-Fitr, the box office seems to be ‘choo-chooing’ in at full steam towards the local box office.

It is difficult to remember a time when Pakistani cinema owners were spoilt for choice. The 2015 Independence day not only marks the country’s 68th birthday but also the first time in almost 40 years that three local films — Dekh Magar Pyaar Say, Shah and Moor — would be releasing simultaneously.

But unlike previous holiday weekends, of Eid, none of these movies are bound to leave a dent at the local box; but can be a real ‘tour de force’ when combined.

Given that there will be a total of 11 movies, the upcoming holiday weekend has a Royal Rumble-esque sense to it with movies of all genres competing against each other.

With cinemas still reeling from the Eidul Fitr hangover as previously released Pakistani films — Wrong No, Bin Roye and Karachi Se Lahore— still churning out decent numbers, exhibitors will be in a real fix regarding scheduling.

Single-screen and multiplex cinema owners have already termed Dekh Magar Pyaar Say as the movie-to-beat but the film faces an uphill task if it is to come out on top.

Exhibitors have also shown a desire to promote local content over Bollywood, such as the Akshay Kumar-starrer Brothers, which they thought was unlikely to have the same impact as Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Here are our box office predictions:

Dekh Magar Pyaar Say: the favourite

No of Screens: More than 70

According to several exhibitors, the movie has all the ingredients to lure audiences. Already, multiplexes and single-screen cinemas across Pakistan, have shown a readiness to screen the movie.

Director Capri Cinema Farrukh Rauf, expressed his confidence over the film and said, “If the film performs as per expectations than the three-day gross for the long weekend is expected to touch around Rs2 million at Capri only.”

Primarily shot in Lahore, audiences in Punjab are more likely to relate to the movie and with more screens in the region, it is expected to generate a lot of revenue from Punjab. Khorem Goltasab, the general manager of Super Cinemas in Lahore, believes that despite getting many things right, the movie’s performance in multiplexes is expected to be better than in single screens.

“The movie would do great because it already has a large female fan following. Also people want to watch light (comedy) films, they don’t want to see serious dramas,” Goltasab told The Express Tribune.

Shah: the dark horse

No of Screens: 30 cinema sites (Approximately 60 screens)

Until the release of the movie’s trailer not many people knew about the film, but the film’s journey shares a lot of similarities to its rags-to-riches plot and has enough potential to do an upset at the box-office.

Given its swift rise through the ranks cinema owners believe that the movie would benefit greatly from the “patriotic factor”. Exhibitors and distributors feel that the story of the movie is such that it can “unite the audiences under the flag of the nation.”

Despite this, the general belief is that the movie is going to generate a major share of its earnings from multiplexes rather than single-screen cinemas.

Moor: slow and steady

No of Screens: 25 cinema sites
(45 plus screens)

Of all the movies to release this year none have had the kind of hype like more that of Moor. But it has been delayed for so long that all of the excitement and buzz seems to have toned down.

According to Nadeem Mandviwalla, the producer of Moor, they would not be aiming the movie at all audiences due to its serious content. “It is serious cinema and might not do so well in single-screen locations,” he told The Express Tribune.

Made on a budget of approximately Rs50 million, the movie (like all other Pakistani releases) would bank heavily on word-of-mouth. He added that, “None of the movies that are being screened right now are exceptional in terms of face value, but if they do well, they will gradually pick up in terms of business through positive word of mouth.”

Verdict:

With previous movie releases — both local and international — still performing impressively, it is very unlikely that any of these movies will do exceptional business but collectively we might be in for a record-breaking weekend.

Here's how you can be part of Dekh Magar Pyaar Say team's London adventures

KARACHI: Gone are the days when news from film sets and locations were kept under wraps until the release of the film. With filming for Dekh Magar Pyaar Say having wrapped up a few days back, the cast and crew for the upcoming romantic film have made their way to London to film a ‘bonus’ sequence for the movie.

According to a press release fans of the film got a taste of the behind-the-scenes action through the Periscope application on Monday 9 PM, Pakistani time.

There is a considerable amount of hype surrounding the release of the movie. Not only does it mark the debut of Sikander Rizvi, the grandson of Noor Jehan, opposite Humaima Malick but also the first outing for Asad-ul-Haq as a director for a feature film.

Dekh Magar Pyaar Say which is slated to release on Independence Day this year faces tough competition at the box office as it will be releasing opposite Jami Mahmood’s highly-anticipated Moor and sports biopic,Shah.

Over the years several filmmakers have tried and improved interactivity with their fans prior to its release by sharing exclusive images and clips from the making of the film. Hollywood directors, Marc Webb and Bryan Singer regularly posted updates from filming of their movies, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and X-Men: Days of Future Past respectively, regularly on social media

 

Not Bollywood, Lollywood Is My Priority: Humaima Malik

KARACHI – Humaima Malik has said that the quality of Pakistani film making has been augmented, and now lollywood is my priority.

She said that elevation of Pakistani films’ standard is a great cause of Pakistani actors’ interest in lollywood.

The betterment in the standard of lollywood movies has increased their demand worldwide, specially in America, England and Emirates.

Now the modern technology is being used in Pakistani film making and because of this initiative, joint venture of film making has been offered by many countries.

She further added that my upcoming movie ‘Dekh Magar Pyar Sae’ is a musical romantic movie.

In this movie, my leading co-star is Sikandar Rizvi, grandson of Madam Noor Jahan.

He is very cooperative and talented actor.

She said that I have offers of many Bollywood movies but my priority is Pakistani movies.

She denied this statement spread by different people that she is performing vulgar characters to increase her demand in Bollywood.

‘I never picturized any dishonorable scenes’ she said.

Imran Hashmi is amongst the best actors. He recorded the scenes of movie with my consensus, she added.

'Moor' and 'Dekh Magar Pyar Say' to battle it out on Independence Day

KARACHI: The trailer of Jami’s film Moor made an instant impact on the cinema going audience and on social media when it first came out nearly two years ago. The snowcapped highlands of Balochistan showcased in the trailer depicted a fresh view of the embattled province.

The movie seemed promising. However, much like Waar and many other Pakistani films, so much time has passed between the hype (trailer) and the release, one almost has to revive the memory of the trailer that got us interested in the first place.

Two years of anticipation and tentative dates of release later, Moor is finally slated to hit cinemas on August 14. The film’s official Facebook page had a post stating ‘4th June Press Conference for 14th August launch’ and the news was also confirmed by the film’s PR company. But this time it’ll be joined by Asadul-Haq’s Dekh Magar Pyar Say (DMPS). The needless delay in Moor’s release has bit the producers and distributors in the back. So many Pakistani films are lined up for release on Eid that August 14 appears to be the only possible option left for bothMoor and DMPS. But since Independence Day is falling on a Friday this year, the films will benefit from a long weekend, giving moviegoers three consecutive off days to catch the action.

Due to the glam value added by Sikander Mufti and Humaima Malick, the Hameed Sheikh starrer Moor is likely to take a hit at the box office. The competition will then eventually be between mainstream commercial cinema and art-house film, which will obviously go in favour DPMS. This reminds us of how Na Maloom Afraad and Operation 021clashed at the box office last year with the former turning out to be a surprise package.

However, Moor has its own pinch of masala to offer as the film also features something ‘more’ on the Axact scandal. Insiders in Moor’s team told The Express Tribune the movie includes an Axact case or story, as one of the characters suffers at the hands of the company’s illegal practices. Whether the producers have named the company is not apparent. Neither is the nature of the story. Yet, it is sure to add that extra zing to the film’s appeal.

A tweet by Jami on May 20 confirmed the plot point. “As we don’t stay quiet we got a legal notice few months back as we knew what they do at Axact. Here it is,” read the director’s post on the microblogging site. Attached was a picture of the legal notice sent under Section 8 of the Defamation Ordinance 2002, claiming damages of Rs500 million. Though the notice itself accuses Jami of slanderous tweets, Jami has not shied from including an expository take on Axact’s practices in the film.

Produced by Nadeem Mandviwalla, Moor is shot mainly in the Pashtun-dominated belt of Balochistan, with most scenes filmed in Muslim Baagh, Khanozai and Shelabagh. The remaining sequences are shot in Karachi. The storyline is based on the closure of the Zhob Valley railways in 1984, showing how a family is affected by growing corruption in the system. The film stars Hameed Sheikh, Samia Mumtaz, Shaz Khan, Nayyar Ejaz, Ayaz Samoo and Abdul Qadir.

Yasir Nawaz’s debut ‘Dekh Magar Pyar Se’ to release in March

Director  of one of the most super hit dramas of this season, Chup Raho, is all set for his debut movie directional venture with Dekh Magar Pyar Se which is slated for a March 2015 release starring Danish Taimoor, Sohai Ali Abro, Janita, Javed Sheikh and Shafqat Cheema.

The novice filmmaker also seems to be following Nabeel Qureshi’s and Umair Jaswal’s footsteps and says his film will emphasize greatly on entertainment, as reported by The Express Tribune.

“Naach gaana hona chahiye…We have already dealt with mainstream issues and serious subjects in our movies. Now, it’s time to stress on entertainment”

Hence, the film is going to be romantic comedy infused with dance and excitement. Nawaz also adds that although Pakistani cinema is definitely reviving, a lot improvement is still needed.

“I think it will take six more years to declare that we are on to the road to revival”. Our cinema must make a place for itself internationally. I would earnestly urge the crowds to support local movies.”

Another movie to be exhibited on the cinema screen in the near future is Sidra Batool and Javeed Sheikh starrer Halla Gulla which claims to be Pakistan’s first solid entertainment movie and has certainly risen the audiences’ expectations who are hooked on to entertainment movies.

Dekh Magar Pyar Se to release summer 2015

Feature film Dekh Magar Pyar Se will mark the directorial debut of renowned ad filmmaker, Asadul Haq. PHOTO: PUBLICITY

KARACHI: Ad filmmaker Asadul Haq is all set to venture into film production with his debut feature film Dekh Magar Pyar Se which is slated for a release in summer 2015.

The film is being produced under the banner of Shiny Toy Guns by Asadul Haq and marketer Ali Murtaza.

Dekh Magar Pyar Se will mark the cinematic directorial debut of renowned ad filmmaker, Asadul Haq with Shiny Toy Guns producing, financing and developing their debut venture completely in-house.

“We are very excited as we have been working on this project for the last one year or so! Dekh Magar Pyar Se will be a true manifestation of our culture and music captured in breathtaking visuals. We have a great team on-board for this project and will be sharing more details very soon,” stated a press release for the film.

“Dekh Magar Pyar Se is expected to hit cinemas sometime in the summer of 2015 with and exact date for the release to be officially announced very soon,” stated Asadul Haq and Ali Murtaza on behalf of Shiny Toy Guns.

Shiny Toy Guns will be sharing more details regarding the production, cast and crew members later this year. In the meantime, keep yourself logged on to the following portals for more information on Shiny Toy Guns and Dekh Magar Pyar Se.

Initially Shiny Toy Guns was also going to produce the action film, Mission 5 in collaboration with Shaan Shahid. But they decided to cease production after facing scheduling problems, which according to both the director and the producer was a major roadblock in the movie going ahead.

Asadul Haq clarified that there were no rifts between him and Shaan, “Shaan is a dear friend and a fantastic individual to work with. Shiny Toys wishes Shaan and Riaz Shahid’s films best of luck for their independent production of Mission 5.”Let’s see what the future holds for Dekh Magar Pyar se.