by Momin Ali Munshi
It is surely an interesting time for Pakistani Cinema as not only are there dozens of film in the pipeline, but most films that are coming out are setting new benchmarks and are proving to be milestones for Pakistani Cinema. While last year saw “Na Maloom Afraad” leading the box-office and giving everyone a reason to celebrate this year it is “3 Bahadur” which has emerged as the highest grossing animated film ever in Pakistan (previously the record was held by “Rio 2”). Although Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy , the director of the film, had proved her mettle in film-making with her earlier successes but there were doubts whether the animated film would click with the audiences. However 3 Bahadur, Pakistan’s first animated full-length super hero film, proved that Pakistan is ready for animated features as the business has been phenomenal while people cannot stop raving about the quality of the film.Moreover it is worth mentioning that India has had about six animated films and none of them has managed to create an impact like our own “3 Bahadur” has.
“3 Bahadur” released on 22 May 2015 and had to face tough competition from Bolywoood film “Tanu Weds Manu Returns” as well as Hollywood films “Tomorrowland” “Mad Max” and “Poltergeist”. However not only did “3Bahadur” survive against the competition but it surely managed to make for itself a special position among these releases. And now, two weeks later, the film is set to cross 5 crores this weekend while already having earned over 4.7 crores which makes it the highest grossing animated movie in Pakistan beating Rio 2’s previously held box-office record of 4.5 crores.
Speaking about this success of the film “3 Bahadur”, Academy Award Winning Film Director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy said, “The success of 3 Bahadur is indicative of the success of Pakistan’s animation industry. We are delighted that our film has been embraced by Pakistanis young and old and that our children finally have local animated heroes to look up to. As long as we continue to dream big anything is possible!”
Speaking about the film , Mr. Jerjees Seja, CEO, ARY Digital Network said “The cinema of Pakistan has showed its potential and facts proven right that with good content and new initiatives the desired goals can be achieved. The perfect example of this is 3 Bahadur which is not only Pakistan’s First Animated Feature Film but is officially the highest grossing animated feature film in the history of Pakistan which has broken all previous records set by Hollywood animation films like Rio2, Ice Age, Toy Story and many more. 3 Bahadur not only had houseful shows on weekends but on weekdays too, the film had over 80% turnout in all the leading cinemas of Pakistan with kids and families falling in love with the superheroes and wanting to become one of them. The film was appreciated by the cinema owners too as the film response was a surprise for them, as they had to put in extra shows of the film due to huge demand of the film with people turning out in huge numbers. At ARY FILMS our objective is to show the world our vision of ‘Made in Pakistan’. 3 Bahadur has now opened new boundaries for the film makers in Pakistan and will be the first of its kind whenever animated films will be talked about in Pakistani Cinema.”
We at Galaxy Lollywood would like to congratulate the makers and are very hopeful that we will soon be seeing a “3 Bahadur-Part2” as the film hinted to a sequel towards the end. Who knows this might just be Pakistans very own animated film franchise. For more updates stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood.
