Film: Dum Mastam
Producers: Adnan Siddiqui, Akhtar Hasnain (Debut film)
Director: Mohammad Ehteshamuddin (also directed Superstar)
Writer: Amar Khan (Debut film)
Cast: Imran Ashraf, Amar Khan, Sohail Ahmed, Saife Hassan, Saleem Mairaj, Adnan Shah Tipu, Momin Saqib, Uzma Beg, Faiza Gillani
Genre: Romantic/Comedy/Tragedy/Drama
Plot: Dum Mastam is a coming-of-age flick for not one but two individuals who are also childhood sweethearts played by Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan. While Imran Ashraf’s Bao loves his carefree life, Aliya wants to make a name for herself as a dancer, and everything else is a distraction for her, even Bao. Their journey to conquer the music industry is both turbulent and tricky, with one becoming successful and the other returning empty-handed. Dum Mastam seems to have everything from comedy, tragedy, drama, and romance on its plate and would appeal to the audience for its diversity.
Music: Shani Arshad, Azaan Sami Khan, Naveed Nashad, Bilal Saeed, Shiraz Uppal
Target Audience: Youngsters, Music lovers, fans of Lollywood comedy
Quotes: ‘It took me two and a half years to complete the script and the screenplay of Dum Mastam which remains close to my heart. I was approached by many production houses who wanted to buy it but my mind was set that whenever Dum Mastam saw the light of the day, it would be with me as Aliya, and no one else. Thankfully, Adnan Siddiqui and Akhtar Hasnain understood my concern and helped me achieve my dream.’ – Amar Khan
Interesting Facts: Dum Mastam is the debut film of the producers Adnan Siddiqui and Akhtar Hasnain, the writer Amar Khan, the lead pair Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan (again!) as well as a handful of actors. With five music directors and nearly a dozen songs, it is likely to stand out as the musical hit of the year. Ehteshamuddin is calling the shots here, and his last film Superstar did extremely well at the box office. Due to Imran Ashraf’s popularity on TV, his fans would throng cinemas to watch their favorite actor in action for the first time.
To look out for: The trailer shows a bald Imran Ashraf which is something interesting for the audience as well as fans of the actor. Don’t miss out on the special guest appearances including that of the dashing Kiran Malik, Arslan Naseer, and Wajahat Rauf’s Voice Over Man, besides a few entertainment journalists.
Film: Ghabrana Nahi Hai
Producer: Jamil Baig (Paani Ke Pankh) & Hassan Zia (Wrong No. 2)
Director: Saqib Khan (Debut film)
Writer: Saqib Khan (Debut film), Mohsin Ali (also Parde Mein Rehne Do)
Cast: Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, Syed Jibran, Nayyar Ejaz, Dodi Khan, Sohail Ahmed, Afzal Khan Rambo, Akber Islam, Saleem Mairaj
Genre: Romantic/Comedy/Action
Plot: The film revolves around a corrupt police officer, a conman, and a girl who wants justice for her old father. Together they join hands to take down the corrupt and the powerful, with two of the three ending as happily ever after, and one losing out in the end.
Music: Shuja Haider
Target Audience: Youngsters, fans of Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, and Syed Jibran
Quotes: ‘Although I began my career doing comedy roles such as James Bond in Jutt & Bond, I drifted to more serious roles as I matured as an actor, and as a person. However, with Ghabrana Nahi Hai, I finally got a chance to make people laugh, and trust me, the film is a laugh-riot where nothing is what it seems. If you think that you understand the plot after watching the trailer, then you are in for a huge surprise!’ – Syed Jibran
Interesting Facts: This is Saba Qamar’s film Pakistani film since working in Hindi Medium (2017) alongside the late Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan. She has been busy on TV since and will be leading the cast with two debutants Syed Jibran and Zahid Ahmed. Zahid and Saba have worked on a handful of projects on TV including Sangat and Besharam and their chemistry would be the key to the film’s success. Syed Jibran is playing the third member of the love triangle here and whoever has seen the film, or its rushes believes that his character will turn out to be the most memorable of the film
To look out for: The return of Afzal Khan Rambo who might have been active in the films since the 1990s but hasn’t done a mainstream film since performing as a Voice Over actor in The Donkey King, Pakistan’s most successful animated film. He will be playing the role of Zahid Ahmed’s sidekick but in his trademark style, one that made him popular in films during the mini-revival of Pakistani films in the 1990s. Also, Shuja Haider is doing the soundtrack for the film, and one look at his previous work would excite you for he was there in Khuda Ke Liye, Bol, and The Donkey King!
Film: Chakkar
Producer: Nida Yasir, Yasir Nawaz (Wrong No. 2)
Director: Yasir Nawaz (Wrong No. 2)
Writer: Yasir Nawaz, Zeffer Imran, Syed Jibran
Cast: Ahsan Khan, Neelam Muneer, Yasir Nawaz, Jawed Sheikh, Naveed Raza, Mehmood Aslam, Ahmed Hassan
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Plot: The film revolves around twin sisters (Neelam Muneer), one of whom is married to a film producer (Ahsan Khan) and the other is the film’s main lead. Things change when in a parent-trap moment, the two sisters trade places, and one of them gets murdered. Was the housewife’s sister the target or the celebrity one, that’s the million-dollar question for the inspector (Yasir Nawaz) to solve before it’s too late. Everyone from the husband to the sister to the creditors is a suspect here!
Music: Naveed Nashad
Target Audience: Fans of Murder Mystery flicks, as well as fans of Ahsan Khan & Neelam Muneer
Quotes: ‘People have been telling me to postpone the release of my film because of three other Eid releases and that they all would suffer but I keep telling them that when Wrong No. 1 can stand its ground in front of Bajrangi Bhaijan and Bin Roye, so can Chakkar. In a country where no one makes murder mysteries, I am sure that the release of Chakkar would start a trend that should have been started a long time back. Some of my friends did argue that I shouldn’t have revealed the double role in the trailer, but I revealed it to inform the audience that there is a bigger mystery at hand than the double role.’ – Yasir Nawaz
Interesting Facts: Syed Jibran’s name in the credits might raise a few eyebrows but the actor is one of the brains behind the film. He was supposed to star in it when Hassan Zia and Yasir Nawaz’s YNH Productions were producing the movie. The two partners split to go their different ways and Syed Jibran chose to act in Ghabrana Nahi Hai instead of featuring in the script he helped develop since both were under production at the same time.
To look out for: Two Neelam Muneers, and a handful of guest appearances in an item song where the ‘evil’ twin dances her heart out with celebrities the audience loves. Also, it remains to be seen whether the film revives the ‘mystery’ genre or not because, in Pakistan, most of the films that have done well have been romantic comedies. However, a handful of them were directed by Yasir Nawaz!
Film: Parde Mein Rehne Do
Producer: Shazia Wajahat, Wajahat Ali Abbasi, Wajahat Rauf (Chhalawa)
Director: Wajahat Rauf (Chhalawa)
Writer: Mohsin Ali (also Ghabrana Nahi Hai)
Cast: Hania Aamir, Ali Rehman Khan, Javed Sheikh, Munazza Arif, Hasan Raza, Sadia Faisal, Noor ul Hasan, Saife Hasan, Shafqat Khan, Sonia Nazir
Genre: Social/Romantic/Comedy
Plot: The film revolves around a young couple Nazo (Hania Aamir) and Shani (Ali Rehman Khan) who are unable to have a child for years. Shani’s father (Javed Sheikh) is jealous of their neighbor (Shafqat Khan) who becomes father for the ninth time. Things turn ugly when Nazo takes the blame instead of revealing her husband as impotent, thus embarrassing him in front of his family. Will Shani be able to win back his wife or will his father do something that can result in him becoming a grandfather, without realizing that his son can’t give him a grandchild!
Music: Aashir Wajahat and Hassan Ali
Target Audience: Ali Rehman Khan and Hania Aamir’s young followers as well as the fans of films like Badhaai Ho
Quotes: ‘This is the first time I am working solely as a producer and director, with no input as a writer. When Mohsin Ali’s script came to me, I was very surprised to see such a mature script with a social message and hints of comedy that I decided to go ahead as a director and later took over as the producer. Hania Aamir was my first choice for the leading lady because this role suited her, and I am glad that she also accepted it, despite it being a challenging role for any actress.’ – Wajahat Rauf
Interesting Facts: Aashir Wajahat and Hassan Ali’s soundtrack also stands out, considering Aashir will turn 20 in October this year. The maturity of the soundtrack disagrees with his age and the film’s target audience will love the songs, as well as watch their favorite actors dance their heart out to those songs.
To look out for: Veteran actress Saba Faisal’s daughter Sadia makes her debut in this flick as Ali Rehman Khan’s cousin who is in love with him, despite knowing that he is already married. She is not only as graceful and stunning as her mother but looks all set to have a successful career ahead. The film also gives a prominent role to Sonia Nazir who has been doing bits and pieces roles on TV despite being extremely talented. It also serves as the debut of Hasan Raza who has mesmerized the theatre audience with his comic timing and diversity.
