The ultimate guide to Pakistani films expected to release in 2017

In the last week of 2015 we shared the list of Pakistani films which we expected would release in 2016. Out of 38 films in our ultimate guide, we knew the confirm release date of only 2 of them, whereas we speculated about the rest of the titles, expecting them to hit the cinemas this year.

As 2016 bids us goodbye in next few days, we are extremely delighted to say that around half of the films in the list made it to the cinemas this year and some of them turned out to be huge box office successes, including the biggest hit of the year Actor In Law which we added in the list merely out of our intuition (the film had not been revealed by the makers then).

This year around we have prepared the similar list of the films which we expect will release in 2017. Some of the titles, which could not be released this year, are carried over from the last year’s list but many of the new projects are added in the list, which all combined together make us super excited for the coming year which we hope will be hugely successful and game changer for Pakistani film industry.

Films are arranged in the alphabetical order.

(1) Albela Rahi

Status: Announced

Fawad Khan starer biopic, based on the life of one of the pioneers of Pakistani pop music, Alamgir, is a highly anticipated movie. The film was announced almost a year ago amid much fanfare but we have not heard much about its progress since then except that Fawad Khan is working himself up to essay the role. We wish the film’s production start soon.

Read more: Fawad Khan will essay the role of Alamgir in biopic ‘Albela Rahi’

(2) Arth 2

Status: In production

The remake of Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhutt’s Arth, written and directed by Shaan Shahid, is in the making for the whole year and, as per the latest updates, most of the principal photography of the film has been completed and it will soon make waves in the media. The cast of the film includes Shaan Shahid, Humaima Malik, Mohib Mirza and Uzma Hassan.

Read more: There is a new addition to the cast of Arth 2!

(3) Azaad

Status: Announced

The social drama indie staring Sanam Saeed, Salman Shahid and Rehan Sheikh will be the directorial debut of TV’s veteran actor Rehan Sheikh and may begin shooting soon next year.

(4) Azaadi

Status: In production

The intense romantic drama starring Moammar Rana and Sonia Hussain (Moor) is the directorial comeback of Imran Malik. The film is being shot by Australian cinematographer Ben Jasper and is expected to release in early 2017 by ARY Films.

(5) Balu Mahi

Status: Ready to release

The cinematic debut of the director of several hit TV serials, Haissam Hussain, is all set to release on the weekend preceding the Valentine’s Day (10 Feb, 2017). Osman Khalid Butt, Ainy Jaffri and Sadaf Kanwal will set the screen on fire in this family rom-com.

Watch: The trailer of ‘Balu Mahi’ featuring Osman Khalid Butt and Ainy Jaffri

(6) Band Toh Ab Bajay Ga

Status: Announced

The first film by Fahad Mustafa’s Big Bang Productions will be directed by Mah e Meer director Anjum Shahzad. The script of the laughing riot is written by Yasir Hussain. The cast is not yet revealed, even after more than a year of the film’s announcement.

Read more: Anjum Shahzad speaks about ‘Mah e Mir’ and his upcoming projects

(7) Bhai Wanted

Status: In production

The action thriller will bring the team behind Lollywood’s cult hit Chooriyan back to the silver screen after long. Written and directed by Syed Noor, the film stars Moammar Rana and Saima Noor in the lead roles. The major part of the film has already been shot and it will be released some time next year.

Read more: Moammar Rana is returning to the silver screen with a bang!

(8) Chalay Thay Saath

Status: In production

The road-trip-slash-romantic-drama, directed by debuting film director Umer Adil, is among the troupe of films bringing the breathtaking northern beauty to the big screen. The ensemble cast of the film includes young and veteran actors Syra Shahroz, Mansha Pasha, Zhalay Sarhadi, Behrooz Sabzwari and Shamim Hilaly. The film is expected to release in the first quarter of 2017.

Watch: The teaser trailer of ‘Chalay Thay Saath’

(9) Chupan Chupai

Status: In production

The comedy-thriller starring Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer in the lead roles is directed by Mohsin Ali, who also wrote the script of 2015’s hit film Wrong No. The other cast of the film includes Talat Hussain, Sakina Samo, Rehan Sheikh, Adnan Jaffar and Faizan Khawaja. The film has been in the production for some time and is expected to release next year.

Read more: Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer talk about ‘Chupan Chupai’

(10) Gardab

Status: Ready to release

The boy-meets-girl story set in the backdrop of violence-ridden Karachi is the upcoming project of Matteela Films, the makers of Zinda Bhaag (2014) and Jeevan Hathi (2016). The film stars Amna Ilyas, Fawad Khan, Gohar Rasheed, Nimra Bucha and Adnan Shah Tipu, with a special appearance by Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Read more: The screening of ‘Gardaab’ at 13th South Asian International Film Festival

(11) Jackpot

Status: In production

This another comedy-thriller, directed by another debuting director Shoaib Khan, is being shot on the scenic locations in Pakistan, Thailand and James Bond Island. The cast of the film includes young stars Noor Hassan, Sanam Chaudhry, Inayat Khan and Reyhana Malhotra and veterans Jawed Sheikh, Ismail Tara and Sana Fakhar. The first song of the film is releasing on the New Year eve.

Read more: ‘Jackpot’ promises to be a fun-filled ride

(12) Jhol

Status: In production

Formerly Two Plus Two, and being in production for quite long time, the comedy action flick boasts the spectacular line-up of stars including young and sensational Bilal Ashraf and Urwa Hocane in the lead roles and ever-green Babra Shareef, Mustafa Qureshi, Ali Azmat and Nousheen Shah in the supporting roles. The tutti-fruiti girl Ayesha Omer will also have a special appearance (including a dance number) in the movie, highly expected to finally hit the cinemas in 2017.

Read more: Bilal Ashraf talks about upcoming projects including ‘Jhol’

(13) Maula Jutt 2

Status: Announced

The long awaited remake of the cult Punjabi hit Maula Jutt, by Waar director Bilal Lashari, is expected to hit the floors early next year and may release in fall 2017. Fawad Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Goher Rasheed have already been confirmed as part of the specatuclar cast of the film.

(14) Mehrunisa V Lub U

Status: In production

Yasir Nawaz (Wrong No.) announced his next recently and has already completed the most of the film’s shooting on a huge set in Karachi. Danish Taimoor and Sana Javed are playing the lead characters in the rom-com, slated to release on Eid-ul-Fitr by Urdu1 Films. The film will also feature a grand item number by diva Amna Ilyas.

Read more: Danish Taimoor and Sana Javed sign Yasir Nawaz’s next

(15) Parchi

Status: Announced

The first look of the next project by the makers of 2016’s smashing hit Janaan was revealed at the Lahore premiere of the film earlier this year. The all-out comedy film will be produced and directed by the dynamic duo of Imran Kazmi and Azfar Jafri under the banner of IRK Films. The cast of the film includes Hareem Farooq and Usman Mukhtar. The film is promised to be released in 2017.

Read more: Usman Mukhtar talks about the films and all

(16) Parwaaz Hai Junoon

Status: Announced

The upcoming project of Momina & Duraid Films (Bin Roye) will be the directorial debut of another popular TV director, Haseeb Hassan. The film, written by Farhat Ishtiaq, will pay the tribute to Pakistan Air Force and is targeted to release on Eid-al-Azha. The lead cast includes Hamza Ali Abbasi and Osman Khalid Butt, with the leading lady yet to be announced.

Watch: The announcement video of ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon’ by MD Films

(17) Project Ghazi

Status: In production

This Pakistan’s first superhero flick is directed by ad-maker-turned-film-director Nadir Shah and it tells a story of an advanced soldier project, spanning over a period of 20 years. Starring Shereryar Munawar, Syra Shahroz, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Jaffar and Talat Hussain, this ambitious project is gearing up for the 2017 release.

Watch: Behind the scene video of Pakistan’s first superhero flick ‘Project Ghazi’

(18) Punjab Nahi Jaongi

Status: In production

The team behind Pakistan’s biggest ever hit Jawani Phir Nahi Aani (2015) teamed up for another mega project, staring Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat as the lead pair and Ahmad Ali Butt, Urwa Hocane and Sohail Ahmad in the supporting roles. Penned by Khalil ur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig, the film’s shooting has been going on in full swing since October.

Read more: The shoot for Nadeem Baig’s ‘Punjab Nahi Jaungi’ begins

(19) Quetta – The City of Forgotten Dreams

Status: In production

The emotional social drama set in Quetta is the debut cinematic venture of Murtaza and Faysal Chaudary of BNN fame. The film is under production for quite long time and is anticipated to finally make it to the theaters next year.

Watch: The trailer of ‘Quetta – The City of Forgotten Dreams’

(20) Raasta

Status: In production

The action-drama film written, directed and co-produced by Sahir Lodhi seems ready to release really soon. The film’s cast includes Sahir Lodhi himself and model-turned-actress Saima Azhar, Naveed Raza, Aijaz Aslam, Sana Fakhar and Shamoon Abbasi.

Watch: The trailer of Sahir Lodhi’s ‘Raasta’

(21) Rangreza

Status: In production

This romantic musical film is directed by the debuting film director Amir Mohiuddin and produced under the banner of Vision Art Films. The main cast of the film consists of Bilal Ashraf, Urwa Hocane and Gohar Rasheed. It is the second film of Bilal and Urwa lined up for the next year release.

(22) Ready Steady No

Status: In production

The comedy movie, written and directed by Lahore-based debutante Hisham Bin Munawar and produced under the banner of OCD Films, stars model-turned-actor Amina Ilyas, Faisal Saif, Ismail Tara, Salman Shahid and Nargis Rasheed. The film, earlier targeted for this year release, will make its way to the theaters in 2017 now.

(23) Rehbra – The Soul of Love

Status: Announced

The rom-com starring Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omer is the cinematic debut of TV director Amin Iqbal. The film will go on the floors very soon and release on Eid-al-Azha.

Read more: Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omer sign ‘Rehbra – the soul of love’

(24) SentiAurMental

Status: Announced

The intriguingly titled laughing riot stars the dynamic trio of Yasir Hussain, Yasra Rizvi and Yusuf Bashir Qureshi. The film, written and directed by the theater actor, director and writer Yasra Rizvi (Manto), is expected to start the production soon.

Read more: Yasir Hussain to star in new movie ‘SentiAurMental’

(25) Shor Sharaba

Status: In production

The romantic comedy starring Rabi Pirzada, Adnan Khan, Meera, Mustafa Qureshi and Bahar Begum is the upcoming project by Sohail Khan Productions. The film is directed by Hasnain Hyderabadwala and choreographed by Reshma Khan, both from across the border. A major part of the film has already been shot and the remaining spell will be completed in Dubai.

Watch: The first look teaser of ‘Shor Sharaba’

(26) Sikander

Status: In production

The action thriller will be the directorial debut of Lollywood’s chocolate hero Moammar Rana, who is also playing the lead role in the movie. The film announced in the mid 2015, with little news about the rest of the cast, is in the making since then and can be expected to release in 2017.

Read more: Moammar Rana launches his directorial debut ‘Sikander’

(27) The Trial

Status: In production

The period drama set in the backdrop of secession of East Pakistan is directed and produced by Kamran Shahid, TV anchor and son of veteran film actor Shahid. The cast of the film includes Meekal Zulfiqar, Saadia Khan, Resham, Shamoon Abbasi and Aly Khan. The film is expected to hit the cinemas in March 2017.

(28) Thora Jee Le

Status: Ready to release

The coming of age dramedy directed by Rafay Rashdi, the son of renowned TV and political personality Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, stars fresh and young actors, most notably model-turned-actor Rizwan Ali Jaffri. The film is releasing on January 20, 2017.

Watch: The theatrical trailer of ‘Thora Jee Le’

(29) Tum Hi Tu Ho

Status: In production

Danish Taimoor and debutante Quratulain starer romantic drama is the directorial comeback  of the veteran Lollywood director Sangeeta. The film was previously expected to release this year on Eid-al-Azha but due to some unfortunate delays it eyes for the 2017 release now.

Read more: Danish Taimoor will romance in Sangeeta’s next “Tum Hi To Ho”

(30) Verna

Status: Announced

The stalwart Shoaib Mansoor’s next starring Pakistan’s sweet heart Mahira Khan is undoubtedly the most anticipated project of the year. The social issues based film is all about the female empowerment. The rest of the cast is not announced yet, but the film will be released by HUM Films on Eid-ul-Fitr.

Read more: Mahira Khan to star in Shoaib Mansoor’s next titled ‘Verna’

(31) Wujood

Status: Announced

The multi-talented Javed Sheikh is returning behind the camera after long with this revenge thriller staring Danish Taimoor and Kubra Khan (Na Maloom Afraad) in the lead roles. The film’s shooting is expected to start soon in Pakistan and Turkey. The film will be distributed by Distribution Club (previously IMGC) and may release late 2017.

(32) Yalghaar

Status: In production

The action thriller directed by Hassan Waqas Rana (Waar) has been in our watch list for very long time. The film’s distribution rights have been recently taken by HUM Films and we expect that this update will help the film in getting released soon. The ensemble cast includes Shaan Shahid, Humayun Saeed, Ayesha Omer, Armeena Rana Khan, Ayub Khoso, Bilal Ashraf, Sana Bucha, Sikander Rizvi and Umair Jaswal.

(33) Zarrar

Status: In production

The action thriller is another movie written and directed by Shaan Shahid. The lead cast of the movie includes Nadeem Baig, Kiran Malik, Adnan Butt, Nayyer Ejaz and Shaan Shahid himself. The film is being shot in Pakistan and England and is in the queue for 2017 release.

(34) Zeher e Ishq

Status: Announced

TV director Khalid Khan is debuting as a film director with this HUM Films’ production. The main cast of the film includes Asad Zaman (Hijrat), Maira Khan (ROTW), Shakeel and Sana Fakhar. A part of the film’s shooting has been completed and it will be released next year.

There are few untitled projects, anticipated for 2017 release.

(35) [GL Exclusive] The director of blockbuster films Na Maloom Afraad (2014) and Actor in Law (2016), Nabeel Qureshi, revealed exclusively to us that he would be directing another film in the coming year.

(36) [GL Exclusive] The director of comedy movies Karachi Se Lahore (2015) and Lahore Se Aagey (2016), Wajahat Rauf, also revealed exclusively to us that he had started working on his next which might release in 2017.

(37) Ali Zafar is all set to make Pakistani film debut in Ahsan Rahim’s first film, which we are anticipating to release in 2017 as well.

(38) Shahzad Roy and Faisal Qureshi are teaming up for a film, written by Anwar Maqsood. We anticipate the film will go into the production phase soon next year.