It goes without saying that London Nahi Jaunga is one of the most eagerly anticipated projects this year. The project is not only star Humayun Saeed and director Nadeem Baig’s fourth collaboration after three trend-setting blockbusters, but it will also have the duo returning fresh off the success of record-smashing television show Meray Paas Tum Ho. Upping the expectations further will be the addition of new stars to its cast and the British setting which promises to add more twists and drama to its storyline.

With so much working in its favor, are all the pieces in the infinitely complex puzzle called filmmaking once again destined to fall into place to deliver another Punjab Nahi Jaungi?

While almost everyone from LNJ’s 2017 prequel has witnessed new career highs in the years that have followed, there just might be one pitfall that may affect the film’s prospects. Writer Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar was catapulted to overnight stardom for his powerful dialogues in Punjab Nahi Jaungi. However, that was three years ago and since then, quite a bit has happened. The writer, for one, has come out quite openly with his shocking misogynistic views and has also sent bizarre messages to the industry – and his fans – in prolonged, emotional rants that have often trashed actors he has been working with. And while the script he wrote for Meray Paas Tum Ho may have delivered earth-shattering ratings, the play has also attracted much negative attention from influential commentators and critics, including a piece in The Guardian, for themes that were seen as reinforcing patriarchy.

Also worth noting is that audiences and critics may have forgiven the archaic gender commentary in Punjab Nahi Jaungi, but this time around, its sequel will be in the spotlight to assess if Humayun Saeed and co. have been able to tame the writer’s worst instincts, or not.

Don’t get us wrong though — we are not doubting Khalil sahib’s superlative dialogues. While he has indeed mastered the art of crafting characters and penning dialogues that keep audiences glued to the screen, and even questionable plot themes can be addressed by the film’s team during its production, what no one has control over is the writer’s blunt opinions and statements, which he has fearlessly voiced on numerous occasions, to the dismay of many.

Could Six Sigma Films and ARY Films, the producers of London Nahi Jaunga, be courting a potential PR nightmare? Let’s take a flashback.

Controversial interviews

In his most recent interview talkshow host Waseem Badami asked Khalil sahib about actress Sonya Hussyn’s decision of turning down his last venture, MPTH on account of its perceived woman-bashing contenting. In his trademark manner, Khalil sahib responded by criticizing Sonya and saying that she did not have the caliber of being a heroine for his script.

He also claimed that he gives the final nod for casting and no one can be a part of his project unless he permits. He also defined his problematic ideology of “achi aurat” and claimed that a good woman has the power of refusing while a man doesn’t have the capability of refusing advances from the opposite gender, according to him. Former model and host Iffat Omar called out the writer for his bizarre views on rape, also mentioning the writer’s inflammatory comments where he said that women should commit “retaliatory rape” and that a woman without modesty is not defined as a woman.

Disparaging remarks

The writer also termed Eshal Fayyaz, the leading lady of his debut big-screen directorial venture, Kaaf Kangana a “second rate woman,” according to press reports which he later outrightly denied. He allegedly made the comment when rumors of his secret marriage with her surfaced on the internet. Previously, he bashed and promised never to work with industry veterans such as Mehmood Aslam and Saba Hamid, although the irony is that she plays a pivotal role in London Nahi Jaunga.

And then there were those derogatory comments on Udaari fame starlet, Urwa Hocane when the actress opted out of his film Kaaf Kangana. He humiliated the actress publicly by saying that she “begged him” (his words, not ours) for the role in Kaaf Kangana and vowed never to work with the actress again, which apparently also cost her the film London Nahi Jaunga (Urwa had a supporting role in Punjab Nahi Jaungi). Apparently, it is Kubra who has replaced her in the franchise.

Actor Rehmat Ajmal who played a supporting role in MPTH, distanced herself with the project following Khalil sahib’s mindboggling interviews. Also, a section of critics and media has voiced out their issues with Khalil’s blunt statements and misogynistic views which might affect LNJ’s reviews and promotions. Celebrities such as Osman Khalid Butt, Armeena Rana Khan, Ushna Shah, Meesha Shafi, and Eman Suleman all took it to social media to voice their disappointment on Qamar’s statements.

Worst fears

The trade fears that the discussion about the project might be distracted by Qamar’s association as now the film is very much on the radar of the progressive segment, something which can dampen the film’s pre-release buzz and its potential box-office collections or critical reaction. MPTH received flak from a section of netizens because of Qamar’s involvement with the project, the same might happen here, and it’s all the more critical as LNJ will be facing off another biggie Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad starring superstars Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan.

London Nahi Jaunga is currently being filmed in Punjab. The team will take off to London in April for a month-long schedule. We do hope the film’s production team will have taken great care to address any potential concerns from the audience, and that it’s pre-release process turns out to be a smooth one.

In case it doesn’t, you heard it here first.