Ho Mann Jahan The year 2016 begun with the release of musical /romantic movie 'Ho Mann Jahan'.The movie written and directed by Asim Raza. The film stars Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Adeel Hussain and Sonya Jehan along with veterans Bushra Ansari, Nimra Bucha, Arshad Mahmud, Jamal Shah and Munawar Siddiqui.
The movie highlights the present day confrontation between youth freedom and imposed limitations by parents. The story revolves around the three friends. They study at IBA, one of the best business schools of Pakistan but their hearts and passion stay with music. Arhaan is from middle-class. His mother has died and he is weak in studies and because of that, he does not have good relations with his retired government servant father.
Nadir is from a high-class family. He is an obedient son and good in studies too. His mother (Bushra Ansari) is quite protective of him. His father (Arshad Mehmood) is a businessman. Manizey lives with her Artist mother (Nimra Bucha) while her father who was a singer once and now a religious man do not live with them. The story is about what happens to the three friends after they leave the college. The sound track of the movie caught the attention of Pakistani movie lovers long before its premier show. Of ten songs, the most popular were the wedding song 'Shakarnwanda Re' by Asrar and 'Dil Kare' by Atif Aslam, and remaking 'Dosti' song by Zuhaib Hassan and Zeib Bangash.
The movie critics rate this movie as a visual treat with good performance and conventional story.
Bachana
The movie released on 26th February with star studded cast, Mohib Mirza, Sanam Saeed and Adeel Hashmi. The beautiful combination of romance and thrill kept the audience engaged until the end. It was directed by Nasir Khan. The movie was filmed in the beautiful island Mauritius.
The story is all about a newlywed Indian couple Alia (Sanum Saeed) and Jahangir (Adeel Hashmi) who arrived for an overnight stay in Mauritius, intending to head out to South Africa to join Jahangir's family. Unbeknownst to Alia, her husband is a drug dealer who uses unsuspecting young girls as mules to ferry his cargo through Mauritius. Jahangir disappears and leaves Alia with mysterious instructions to carry a bag to the airport. When she finds out it contains drugs, she takes flight, and Vicky ( Muhib Mirza), a Pakistani cab driver she met earlier, becomes her unwitting rescuer.
Movie critics agree that despite faults and flaws in the plot, the film has effectively attracted the viewers. The main characters were confident, reasonable and conceivable. Overall, it was packed with romance and humour. The 'Bachaana' soundtrack features three original songs "Yaari" (Shafqat Amanat Ali) "Koi Labda" (Haroon Shahid) and the title song "Bachaana" (Komal, Benny).
Hijrat
Despite of good camera work, and soothing music, the movie failed to create impressive impact because of plain performance of the leading characters including model turned actors Asad Zaman, Rabia Butt and Samina Nawaz. The supporting characters Nadeem Baig and Jamal Shah, and Zeba Bakhtiar and Ayub Khosa did their jobs well.
Based on the lives of the war-torned Afghan refugees, the movie also shows that love has no borders. Humanity is superior to all and the same needs to be respected. It was released in April. The film has shot in Quetta, Nashukai and Istanbul. The director Farouq Mengal used his talent and filmed some of the best shots never shown in Pakistani films.
The story revolves around a non-serious boy'Murad' who lives in Turkey with his mother. His mother runs an NGO and she sends Murad to Pakistan to prepare a report. He went to the Afghan refugee camps where he fell in love with a doctor named 'Jia'. He is already engaged and Jia is a widow, so he tries to convince his family to marry her.
Actor in-law
The blockbuster movie released on September 13. Within a month of its release it had earned Rs 250 million (US $2.4 million) world-wide. The film was directed and produced by 'Na Maloom Afrad' fame Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza. The cast included Fahad Mustafa and Mehvish Hayat in leading roles. While Om-Puri have made his Lollywood debut in the film.
The "Social comedy" story was a tale of a ostentatious lawyer, Shan Mirza (Fahad), who aspires to become an actor. His father disapproves of acting and does not consider it a solid career. However, the film takes a dramatic turn when Mirza, is given a dramatic case that could have an impact on his native Pakistan and his family. It is a journey of a young dreamer, who begins to change and affect the system and society around us and gather immense support from common people. He is caught up in a situation where his only saviours are his aging practical father and his supporters across the country. It is first the clash and later the convergence of dreams and reality. It is where humour meets morals.
Doobara Phir Say
The veteran Mehreen Jabbar has proved again a successful big screen director with this romantic drama film. She effectively portrays the empowerment of woman. The film stars Ali Kazmi, Hareem Farooq, Adeel Hussain, Tooba Siddiqui, Sanam Saeed, Atiqa Odho, Shaz Khan, and child actor, Musa Khan. The film was released on 25th November 2016.
Film critics say it a fine entry to the Pakistani entertainment industry. 'Dobara phir say' is the dodgy love story of soul mates that just cannot seem to be in the right place at the right time for the right reasons. The story revolves around Hammad (Adeel) who plays a bachelor living in New York and is friends with Samar (Sanam) and her boyfriend Vassay (Ali). Through Samar, he is introduced to Natasha (Tooba) and Zainab (Hareem). Zainab, an illustrator by profession, is in a troubled marriage. Hammad struggles with his feelings for Zainab and his relationship with Natasha.
As a romantic film, it stands above the rest with strong emotions, soft music and life lesson.
Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay
The emotional love story of a young couple 'Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay' got good reaction from viewers and critics. It was directed by Anjum Shahzad, the film's cast include television stars Sajal Ali and Feroze Khan in lead roles.
The movie revolves around the story of a young couple Zain (Feroze Khan) and Mahira (Sajal Ali) who have raised a kid and seem to be struggling with the challenges of life since they married at a very young age. Both of them have their own dreams to follow and appear to be quite passionate about what they wish to achieve in life. Zain, wants to become a filmmaker. However, as their dreams effect their relationship, the two part ways at some point and so goes the story. The film's shooting was done in Karachi and Sydney.
Jeewan Hathi
Dark comedy, short film 'Jeewan Hathi' failed to trigger high opinions from critics. It was directed by Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi and written by Fasih Bari Khan. The Film has Samiya Mumtaz, Hina Dilpazeer, Naseeruddin Shah, Saife Hassan and Adnan Jaffar as lead roles in the film.
The movie was based on the hypocrisy of the majority of media today and the society in general. The story revolves around Natasha (Hina Dilpazeer), who is a witty TV personality. Unable to handle the pressures of being a morning show host, she quits and starts her own reality show. Natasha and her TV channel are comfortable taking extreme measures in their quest for ratings.
Jannan
'Janaan' is a romantic comedy film directed by Azfar Jafri, the film stars Armeena Khan, Bilal Ashraf, and Ali Rehman Khan in lead roles. The story revolves around the leading character Meena goes back home after 11 years and experiences "culture shock".She also finds herself unwillingly caught up in a love triangle between the silent, sweet and brooding Asfandyar and the confident, friendly, class clown type Daniyal.
According to Box Office reports, Pakistani movie 'Janaan' Box Office collections have crossed the Rs 10 crores figures in Pakistan only. The movie also managed to collect around Rs 11.44 crores abroad. 'Janaan' is the first Pakistani film whose teaser was shown on UK TV broadcasting channel Sky Sports 2 during the World T20 Cup match between India and Pakistan on March 19, 2016. Further the teaser was played on ShreyaGhoshal Concerts in UK.
Lahore sae aagy
The road comedy movie could not create subtle impression despite the fact that soundtrack was good enough to capture the attention of the audience. However, songs and item number could not make the movie a box office hit. It was a sequel of 2015's blockbuster 'Karachi sae Lahore'. "Moti" from "Karachi Sae Lahore" continues his journey from Lahore to Gilgit (Northern Areas of Pakistan) where he meets Saba Qamar. Saba Qamar plays the role of a rock star.
3 Bahadur: The revenge of Baba Balam
So far the Box Office report of the movie is excellent. 3Dcomputer-animated family film is directed by Oscar award winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. It is the second part of first animated movie 3 Bahadur. The children now have a task of defeating Baba Balam who is rising again. 3 Bahadur was a very special project because it inculcated a sense of pride and ownership in Pakistani children. Now, with 3 Bahadur Part 2, Saadi, Kamil and Amna inspire bravery and fearlessness in every child across the country.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017