The first-ever London Pakistani Film Festival (LPFF) is going to take center stage on October 1 this year.
LPFF will present four days of cinematic brilliance with some of the finest films from the Pakistani film industry.
The festival will feature six Pakistani films:
Nayab
The Legend of Maula Jatt
Zindagi Tamasha
London Nahi Jaungi
Teri Meri Kahaniyan
Pink Shirt
The festival aims to revive interest in Pakistani cinema throughout the world.
Writer-director Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar recently appeared on SAMAA TV ‘s show Super Over, hosted by actor Ahmad Ali Butt. The Sadqay Tumhare writer made some revelations about his colleagues, Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat, Mahira Khan and Naumaan Ijaz.
Qamar talked about his feud with superstar Mahira Khan, and said that he has forgiven her for calling him out post his brawl with Marvi Sirmed, but he will never forget any of it.
The Raees star tweeted on March 4th, 2020, after Sirmed and Qamar’s heated argument on the show Aaj Ayesha Ehtesham Kay Saath.
“This same man who abused a woman on TV is revered and given project after project because of what?”
While talking about Mehwish Hayat, who recently made Pakistan proud with her stint in the Disney+ superhero series Miss Marvel, Qamar said stated that London Nahi Jaunga was his last film with her.
He continued by saying that Hayat has worked a lot in the industry and now others should get a chance too.
Moreover, he also mentioned, “I’m tired of writing roles for Humayun Saeed as well.”
The Pyarey Afzal writer also disclosed that the famous actor Nauman Ijaz proposed a partnership in Khalil’s first drama serial Dastak aur Darwaza.
The writer said, “I auditioned Nauman Ijaz, and he failed, and then Usman Peerzada was selected.”
Pakistani cinema industry has witnessed a boom with back-to-back releases this year, especially on the two Eid festivals. Fortunately the stride of cinematic releases will continue for the coming months.
Here is the list of films, set to be released in near future:
Tich Button
The long delayed Tich Button that features an interesting ensemble cast finally has a release date, 28th October 2022. With Farhan Saeed, Feroze Khan, Sonya Hussyn, and Iman Ali as its stars, the film is set to be a commercial entertainer with romance sprinkled in. Directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, and produced by Urwa Hocane, it is being touted to be a mass entertainer.
Aasman Bolay Ga
The celebrated Shoaib Mansoor is determined to set the Pakistani industry ablaze with his next project, which, if whispers on the grapevine are to be believed, is going to hit cinemas in November 2022. With a patriotic undercurrent, the Emmad Irfani and Maya Ali starrer is going to revolve around the Pakistan Airforce, and their efficiency while striking back after India’s attack on Balakot.
Neelofar
Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan starrer Neelofar has been written by Ammar Rasool and produced by Qasim Mehmood. Though the details about the film are being kept tightly under wraps, audiences are looking forward to Neelofar because of Mahira and Fawad’s pairing. The project will be the actors’ next after Bilal Lashari’s The Legend of Maula Jatt. It also stars Madiha Imam in a key role. Mahira apparantly plays a blind woman in the film, which will also have sufi touches in its narratives.
Abhi
Abhi is headlined by Gohar Mumtaz and Kubra Khan. Full of thrills and romance, it also features Saleem Sheikh, Usman Peerzada, Yasra Rizvi, Mahmood Aslam, Hina Bayat, Ehteshamud Din and Asif Raza Mir. Written by Gohar Mumtaz, the film is directed by Asad Malik and produced by international UK based company Daniel Johnes. It’s first teaser garnered positive response as netizens appreciated the cinematography and the intrigue factor of the premise.
Money Back Guarantee
Money Back Guarantee is a comic-capper directed by Faisal Qureshi. The film stars Fawad Khan, Ayesha Omar, Hina Dilpazir, Ali Safina, Wasim Akram, Shayan Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Gohar Rasheed, and Afzal Khan aka Jan Rambo. It will release in April 2023.
Other films that are set to release in Pakistan are the celebrated Joyland, that won big at Cannes, the previously censored Javed Iqbal with Yasir Hussain, and Sarmad Khoosat’s much-awaited Zindagi Tamasha. More upcoming releases include John, Gavah Rehna, Dhai Chaal and Once Upon A Time In Karachi.
Zarrar
Shaan Shahid’s larger-than-life comeback film’s trailer has already enthralled audiences. The film promises grand action sequences with double crosses and twists galore. The film also stars Nadeem Baig, Kiran Malik, and Nayyer Ejaz. While the release date is up in the air momentarily, rumor has it that it might have a fall release – tentatively 23rd September.
On Eid-ul-Azha the Pakistan industry saw thunderous response at the cinema halls with two much anticipated films. Two big films graced the silver screen; London Nahi Jaunga and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad. The films opened to an astounding response overall.
7 days total (26.6 crores official, 24 crores sources)
10 days total (35.21 crores official, 32 crores sources)
14 days total (40.1 crores official, 40 crores sources)
20 days total (47.2 crores official, 44.1crores)
After successfully running for over three weeks in the international market, London Nahi Jaunga is still going strong. The film has even given a tough competition to Bollywood’s big banner film Shamshera. Despite being a Yash Raj production and a Ranbir Kapoor film, Shamshera’s opening weekend collection at the global box office failed to impress.
According to figures provided by Comscore, London Nahi Jaunga earned better in the 3rd weekend of its release in the UK and Ireland than what Shamshera collected in its first weekend.
LNJ’s total collection was 46,710 Great Britain pound, over 1 crore 28 lacs PKR approx, while Shamshera’s remained 43,688 GBP that amounts to nearly 1 crore 20 lacs PKR.
Though LNJ is screening in only 35 screens while Shamshera is available at 62 screens.
London Nahi Jaunga stars Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat and Kubra Khan.
The box office figures of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad are polarsing. While the makers of the film claim the figures till date to be around 37 crore, trade pundits are claiming much lesser numbers.
However this Fahad Mustafa-Mahira Khan starrer is a successful film, none the less.
7 days total (20 crores official)
10 days total (28 crores official)
14 days total (37 crores official)
Indian actor and singer Gippy Grewal took to his Instagram handle to praise the trailer of Humayun Saeed’s Eid-ul-Azha release, London Nahi Jaunga.
Both Mehwish and Humayun warmly responded to the Punjabi superstar.
In 2020 also, the Carry On Jatta star said while speaking to the local media in Pakistan, Gippy said that he has seen Punjab Nahi Jaungi and would like to work with Mehwish.
In response to his statement, Mehwish thanked him for his kind words, adding “Let’s get you a Pakistani flick soon”.
Grewal and his delegation arrived in Pakistan for a religious tour.
Speaking to APP, Grewal said that this trip was long due and he had been planning to come to Pakistan for a while now. The singer said that he was very happy to be here and specially thanked Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari for his efforts to make this trip possible.
Mehwish Hayat is a powerhouse performer of Lollywood. The Load Wedding actress recently made a dancing video with her brother Danish which is winning the internet.
The Jawani Phir Nahi Aani Diva also displayed her singing skills.
On the work front, Mehwish will be seen next in London Nahi Jaunga opposite Humayun Saeed and Kubra Khan.
They say a dog is a man’s best friend and Mehwish Hayat just opened up about losing her pet dog – her dear Balooni.
Mehwish wrote that she’s been through a lot in life but “these last few days have been the worst of my life.”
“A decade of having you next to me through all my highs, lows and breakdowns…your one gaze would make me feel everything’s going to be alright. You taught me so much about unconditional love and life itself.”
“My best friend…you loved me so much that you spared me the pain of saying goodbye and letting you go. I wish you’d waited for me a day more. I wish I could have got to hug you for one last time .. I wish ..,” an emotional Mehwish said concluding her note.
Mehwish has often shared pictures of herself with Bruno.
The actor is currently shooting in Punjab for her upcoming film London Nahi Jaunga. The film which is being directed by Nadeem Baig also starres Humayun Saeed and Kubra Khan. The movie came under much fire recently for being written by the controversial Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar. All the actors in the film, including Mehwish, have yet to comment on the controversy.