by Momin Ali Munshi
Maya’s release next friday has suddenly become the hottest topic of discussion and seems to be only thing that is being talked about in the film circles. This Jawad Bashir directorial first came into the news when its trailer was released a few weeks back which, although was received with mix reviews, but managed to bring the film into the limelight and made its release being eagerly awaited. However as is the tradition with Pakistani films, that they do not release without a few release date issues, it was assumed that Maya would be releasing late 2015/early 2016. However to everyone’s surprise two days back a post made on the official page of the film claimed that the film would be releasing next friday i.e 12 June 2015. This news sent shock waves as the makers were announcing on one friday that their film would be coming out on the next friday. We, at Galaxy Lollywood, had no idea what magic the makers had up their sleeves as 7 days for promotion does not seem like the ideal period to promote a film. So to discuss this sudden release news and more about the film, Galaxy Lollywood editor Momin Ali Munshi, met the leading man of the film Sheikh Ahmed. Here is what they discussed:-
“I also found out via facebook that my film is releasing next friday” revealed Sheikh Ahmed when I asked him about the sudden release date announcement. “Im quite shocked as to why this sudden announcement has been made. There are only six days for the release. Lets hope the promotion goes well ” he adds.
One would wonder that after seeing the marketing of recently released films , the makers of “Maya” would follow suit and promote their film in universities and colleges all over Pakistan but there was no such activity. To this Ahmed says ” Well you know Im a LSE student so I had always planned for a promotion session at my university. I had the entire thing planned and even got all the approvals and everything but then Jawad Bhai ( Jawad Bashir-the director) says the distributor of the film isnt allowing it.”
Strange, that the distributor doesn’t want his film to be promoted? To this Ahmed clarified that they did not want a crazy promotion spree because then the hype and expectations around the film reach the sky and the film has to not up to these expectations.Therefore the Maya team did not want a very strong promotional campaign , and wanted the film to speak for itself and the word-of-mouth to do the magic. However still doesnt Ahmed think that next week is too soon a release date?
To this he replies ” Well our film was supposed to be distributed by another prominent distribution company but they already had their hands full with a lot of films and they said they would release the film in November, after all their major films had been released”. Then why did the makers not go with these distributors. “Well we believed the buzz surrounding the film would have died by then so we decided to let go of. But this 12 June date is still something that was not collectively decided. Yes the plan was to release the film before November, but during Eid or right after would have been a better fit. See the Ramzan starts a week after the 12th so the film will have only seven days because most people dont really go to cinema in Ramazan. But well lets hope for the best”.
So what is Ahmed’s final take on the release “Well I have full faith in the film. Its a complete film with all the elements, it has the thrill and the chills and will make for a good entertaining watch and once people go see it in cinemas they will Inshallah have positive things to say about the film and the film will grow. Also the fact that the film is releasing in a weeks time might just turn out to be a good thing as there is this certain buzz that what Maya is releasing next week? What! So yeah”
But then this one week promotion period could also go the other way? As in no hype and buzz. To this Sheikh Ahmed says with a confidence ” Well that’s a risk we are willing to take. May God be with us the film will be a huge hit. Ive shown the rushes of the film to a few people and everyone has said the same thing. That the film has managed to keep them on the edge of their seats and has them excited as to what will happen next. So Im sure that the audiences will be have similar reactions and will like it. All Ill say to the people is that go see the film in cinemas and then form your opinion as to whether you like or not. I wont use the Support Cinema card, all Ill say is go see the film as it will entertain you and be worth the ticket price.”
We will have to wait a few more days to see what the film has to offer but we would like to take this opportunity to wish team “Maya” all the best and hope their gamble pays off. For more updates stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood.
