‘Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning’ is an upcoming film adaptation featuring the iconic character Umro Ayyar from the cherished Dastan-e-Amir Hamza. The movie, starring Sanam Saeed and a talented ensemble cast, seeks to bring the enchanting tales of Umro Ayyar to both Pakistani and international audiences.
Sanam Saeed Talks About Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning
Sanam Saeed, who plays a member of Ayyar’s group, refers to the movie as a folklore-based superhero film in her interview with Arab News. She emphasizes the blending of Ayyar’s origins with contemporary times, introducing the character to today’s world in a way that appeals to younger viewers.
“Today’s generation needs to be told stories from Urdu literature … We have so many characters and stories to draw inspiration from. Unless we connect with our Urdu literature, it will die,” says Saeed. “We haven’t had a real-life motion feature film with a superhero at the heart of it. I have never been involved in a lot of stunts and actions in front of a green screen. The film is VFX-heavy … A stunt director and coordinator came from abroad while there were trainers who came to the set to teach us,” she adds.
Director Azfar Jafri highlights the deliberate choice to adopt a modern approach, noting that some ideas found in Western books and films originate from Umro Ayyar’s verses, leading to the false assumption that these concepts are wholly original.
“Some western books and films incorporate elements derived from Umro Ayyar’s verse, leading our younger audience to believe that these concepts are entirely their own,” Jafri told Arab News. “We have aimed to shed light on the true source of inspiration and made the decision to create a film centered on Umro Ayyar.”
Dastan-e-Amir Hamza
Dastan-e-Amir Hamza, written by Ghalib Lakhnavi in 1855, is a compilation of Urdu stories featuring elements of magic, adventure, and intrigue.
The cast of ‘Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning’ includes Sanam Saeed, Usman Mukhtar, Faran Tahir, Ali Kazmi, Adnan Siddiqui, Simi Raheal, Sana Fakhar, Manzar Sehbai, Daniyal Raheal, Salmaan Shaukat, Osama Karamat, Uloomi Karim, Asad Chaudhary, Atif Rehan Siddique, Muhammad Imran, Bilal Jutt, Ruman Ali, and Shehroz Sanaullah.
Although the film’s release date is still unknown, the captivating storyline and the exceptional talent involved make it a highly anticipated cinematic experience.
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