Tag: Film industry

  • Maryam Nawaz wants to bring Lahore’s film industry back to life

    Maryam Nawaz wants to bring Lahore’s film industry back to life

    Punjab Chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a major step to revive Punjab’s film industry by setting up a 29 member steering committee.

    The committee is dedicated to addressing challenges faced by artists and revitalizing Lahore as Pakistan’s cinematic hub. With Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, this initiative aims to restore Lahore’s historical status in the film industry and offer a brighter future for artists across the province.

    Former federal minister and senior leader of PML-N Pervaiz Rashid will represent the Chief Minister on the committee, while senior minister Mariyam Aurangzeb has been appointed as the convener. The committee includes prominent figures like Information minister Punjab Azma Bohari, provincial secretaries of information, tourism, and finance leading, along with leading personalities from the film and arts sector.

    Members will modernize film production infrastructure in Punjab. The committee has been tasked to establish the Punjab Film Fund, that shall provide financial backing and incentives for the sector to grow further.
    Tasks include creating a plan to build a state of the art film city, a film academy, and a technologically advanced film lab.
    Maryam Nawaz has directed the committee to submit detailed recommendations within 15 days. A key element of this plan is the artist welfare system, designed to provide health insurance, social security, and welfare benefits for artists.

    The committee’s work will also include creating spaces for artistic expression and supporting emerging talent. A major objective is to increase the number of cinema houses across Punjab, offering more screening venues for local films. Special incentives for investors are also being considered to boost cinema development and foster new business opportunities in film.

    Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved an increase in grant for the Artist Service card, enhancing support for artists across the province. Chairing the 19th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet, the chief minister emphasized that the new policy would cover both financial and social support, aiming to create a stable environment for the artist community across the province.

  • Shaan Shahid’s daughter ready to make mark in film industry

    Shaan Shahid’s daughter ready to make mark in film industry

    Shaan Shahid is Lollywood’s bonafide superstar, good looking, talented and star of multiple hits. He has a lovely family, including his wife Amna Bandey and four beautiful daughters. Now it seems like his oldest daughter, Bahisht Shahid, is getting ready to work in the entertainment industry.

    In a recent video circulating on YouTube, Shaan talked about how proud he is of his daughter. She recently got into NCA where she is studying film writing, direction, and acting. He believes she’ll bring her talent to the media industry soon. Shaan Shahid expressed his desire to see his daughter succeed and make him proud in the media world.

    He said, “I want my daughter to make the country proud as well,” remarked Shaan. “Actors’ children fall prey to unnecessary criticism regarding nepotism,” he added, stating that his parents were in the same field, so his children should make their way into the industry too. “I would like to see Bahisht in the media industry,” he said.

    Bahisht also shared her thoughts on joining the industry. “I feel nervous because of my elders who were superstars, but I have the guidance of my father and with him, I can conquer the world,” she said confidently. “I will be doing anything that will come my way including acting, direction and writing.”

  • Four Pashto films to dazzle cinemas on Eid-ul-Fitr, revive regional film industry

    Four Pashto films to dazzle cinemas on Eid-ul-Fitr, revive regional film industry

    The screening of four Pashto films on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr is all set to dazzle the cinemas with hopes to revive the ailing regional film industry through providing a spice of entertainment and a blend of emotions to the cinegoers.

    “The much anticipated movies with quality production, dialogues, casts, locations and soulful music will mesmerise the audience, multiplying their joy of the festive occasion”, renowned film director and film star Arbaaz Khan said. The film directors and producers have pinned hopes on the production quality, dialogues delivery, casts, locations and strength of music of the films.

    The movies to be screened included Yaar Dushman, which is directed by Arbaaz while the film cast comprises of the actor himself, Ajab Gull, Jahangir Jaani, Asif Khan and Jameel Babar. Talking to APP, Arbaaz said that Pashto films had high-profit potential. He hoped that the release of new movies will help revive the film industry on this Eid-ul-Fitr.

    He further said that Pashto film producers and artists remained resilient and kept cinema houses functional even in the most difficult times to provide entertainment to people.

    Another movie which was ready for release on Eid-ul-Fitr was Bandiwan, directed by Shahid Usman, for which the cast includes Arbaaz, Shahid Khan and Jahangir Jani. Pekhawar Zama De is another Pashto offering whose release coincides with Eid-ul-Fitr, directed by Shanzeb Khan and starring Arbaaz, Asghar Cheema and Mehek Noor. Charta Khaney Charta Faqeeray, helmed by Arshad Khan, is the fourth Pashto film that is slated for an Eid release, sporting Shahid Khan and Jahangir Jaani among its cast.

  • Faisal Qureshi wants Indian films screened in Pakistan

    Faisal Qureshi wants Indian films screened in Pakistan

    Actor Faysal Quraishi wants to restore the splendor of Pakistani cinema but has an unusual plan to do so.

    In an interview the veteran performer gave to Independent Urdu, he talked about the film industry in Pakistan and how it can be revived.
    “I am a very patriotic person,” he said. However, he emphasized that to make Pakistani cinema thrive, it’s crucial to screen Bollywood films in theaters. “I know that our people want to watch Bollywood movies in Pakistan, so we cannot impose our will on them.”

    The actor mused about building good relationships with India, stating that, “We got a great opportunity to work in India. However, due to political tensions and conflicts, those paths closed, and we often shut down routes that bring money to our country.”

  • Fawad Khan, Wahaj Ali spotted at star-studded National Icon Awards

    Fawad Khan, Wahaj Ali spotted at star-studded National Icon Awards

    The National Icon Awards 2023 were held on Sunday with the top celebrities of Pakistan in attendance to watch their colleagues be honored for contributions to the field of arts and culture.

    Popular A-listers like Mawra Hocane, Wahaj Ali and Fawad Khan were present at the ceremony.

    Actor Wahaj Ali received the National Icon Award 2023, while veteran actors Meera and Resham watched on along with the outgoing Minister for Information, Marriyum Aurangzeb.

    Nadia Jamil shared a clip of the outfit she wore to the awards, thanking Marriyum Aurangzeb for recognising an industry that had been aching for the respect and support of the state.

    The actress also lauded producer Zulfikaar’s comments on the need for smaller cinemas which are cheaper, since bigger cinemas charge around Rs 1500-2000 per person to watch a film.

    Producer and actor Humayun Saeed called it a “privilege and honor” to be acknowledged by the state, and praised them for implementing the Film and Music Legislation which will help revive the film industry.

    Actor Fawad Khan spoke about hoping that the film industry becomes independent to the point that it doesn’t need to rely on the government for support.