The kind of hype and audience response the theatrical release of the grand finale of Meray Paas Tum Ho has generated is unprecedented in Pakistani cinema or television’s history. While taking into account the fact that the screening of the popular show’s concluding episodes will likely be a single weekend event, its advance reservations at this point are better than any domestic film. The cinema business is currently experiencing slow volumes, and leading exhibitors are naturally excited about the manner in which the audience has taken to catch the screenings of a popular television serial on the big screen. The show’s broadcaster ARY and its production house too stand to gain lucratively from the arrangement.

Given the win-win scenario for all – the audience, the production houses, the actors and the exhibition sector – more serials will naturally follow suit. Here we discuss the two most likely contenders for the theatrical screening of their finale episode(s), and why they are likely to do so.

Ehd-e-Wafa

 Along with Meray Paas Tum Ho, this show too is enjoying massive popularity as well. With a cast that includes Ahad Raza Mir, Osman Khalid Butt, Zara Noor Abbas and Ahmad Ali Akbar, actors who have a film or two to their credit, the show packs in much big-screen star appeal. Like MPTH, its digital viewership on YouTube routinely crosses the 10 million mark. Moreover, HUM TV and ISPR, which have produced the show, have extensive experience with film production and HUM even has its own distribution arm, therefore it is quite likely that the show’s finale episode – or episodes – will receive theatrical screenings.

That the show’s pace has been picking up off late only works in its favor. Industry insiders suggest that planning towards the theatrical rollout is already in place, and when we reached out to HUM TV’s production head Mahesh Waswani, he stated: “We are open to the idea and there have been discussions. However, as of now, nothing is concrete and no final decision has been taken.”

Alif

Alif is popular film and television star turned socio-religious activist Hamza Ali Abbasi’s swansong act, therefore audience curiosity for the show is naturally there. Along with Hamza, Alif also stars Sajal Ali, Kubra Khan and Ahsan Khan, three of the most popular stars currently, all having worked in cinema previously. Since the show has a somewhat offbeat theme of spiritual reawakening, it has not stirred the kind of mass hysteria of MPTH, however, it does cater to a niche audience that has responded well to the show.

What makes Alif standout from the rest is its very cinematic treatment, not just in terms of photography and production values, but also its somewhat unusual theme and the star-power it packs. The exotic Turkish setting is another plus point. While it may not end up being a record-breaker, Alif packs in enough to attract a sizable audience. The question arises, are its makers and Geo TV, which airs the show, interested? When we reached out to producer Sana Shahnawaz, she stated “It’s all contingent on audience demand. If the show’s fans so demand, we will surely consider.”

Final word

With popular television shows currently on air capturing much audience interest, it is only a matter of time before more jump on to MPTH’s bandwagon. For now, MPTH hysteria is sweeping the nation and the show’s theatrical screenings are highly anticipated by its fans. Watch this space for the latest on this developing story!