We told you so! Hamza Ali Abbasi Quits Acting, To Focus On Religious Activism

By

-

November 15, 2019

In a cryptic tweet posted on October 12, star Hamza Ali Abbasi had stated that his journey of over a decade had come to an end and that he had “a very important announcement to make at the end of this month.”

A journey of more than a decade comes to an end. I have a very important announcement to make at the end of this month. Will hope my voice reaches many. Will be off social media till end of Oct.

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) October 11, 2019

In a piece shortly thereafter, we correctly conjectured that the Jawani Phir Nahi Ani star was planning on changing his career path to something that was more in line with his personal convictions.

Over the years, Hamza had had very public disagreements with the showbiz fraternity and even production teams of his own films about issues pertaining to the morality of contemporary films and television projects. Whether they were item numbers or scantily dressed women in films, Hamza has actively voiced his opinion over social media and the public has paid attention.

The latest bombshell

Now, in a YouTube video posted via a tweet, the Waar actor has announced that he will be distancing himself from the world of showbiz – only as an actor though, for he will now switch to religious activism and producing content that is in line with his moral and religious values.

In the lengthy 23 minute clip, Hamza described his decades-long journey from atheism towards finding what he termed as ‘the truth,’ the primary catalyst in the process being his realization of the inevitability of death.

Welll…. This is what i wanted to say… for now! ?https://t.co/q7vap8eArs

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) November 14, 2019

Not completely quitting showbiz

Opening up on what he plans on doing in the future, Hamza said he would now onwards focus on two things: religious activism (through the electronic and social media) as well as charity and social work. He added this was the culmination of a long discourse he had had with himself and with scholars of religion and reaching the conclusion that he had finally found the truth he had to change his track in life.

Importantly, Hamza did add he will be producing and directing dramas and films in the future – something which has been his original goal for setting foot into showbiz – and that the content he produces will be in line with his personal religious values and convictions.

Alif to be the last acting project

In the clip, Hamza pointedly mentioned that “Alif is my last acting project, and after this, you will not be seeing me as an actor for a long time.” He also added that he only chose to work on the project since it talked about his character’s journey towards finding religion and the truth.

With this announcement we are pretty certain the hype for the currently on air show will go up by a few notches, for his fans will certainly not want to miss out on catching the last glimpses of their favorite star on the screen.

Stepping stone to politics?

While Hamza was unequivocal about not having any ulterior motives behind his latest announcement, he also did not explicitly rule out joining a political cause in the future. He did say he intends to “stay away from electoral politics, for the time being,” but given his passion for political causes in the past, it just might be that the Mann Mayal star might be considering a move into the political arena at some point in the future.

Twitter reacts

A few hours following the announcement, ‘Hamza Ali Abbasi’ was the top trend on twitter, with Twitteratis sharing a whole range of reactions ranging from disbelief to wholehearted support for the actor’s newly found passion.

Here’s wishing Hamza the best in whatever he chooses to pursue. While we will be rueful about losing yet another popular performer, we do hope he will continue to contribute towards enriching the world of drama and film.

What are your views — do you agree with his latest move? Please let us know in the comments below!

Films This Friday (November 15, 2019): Hollywood Giants Face Off Pakistani Underdogs

By

Faisal Ali H

-

November 14, 2019

The coming weekend will witness an interesting clash of two Hollywood biggies, Charlie’s Angels and Ford v. Ferrari and the latest offering from Pakistani cinema, Talash. With the box office witnessing a more sedate than usual second half, films such as Joker, Terminator: Dark Fate and Maleficient have kept the ticket counters buzzing with activity, and it seems the clash this week too is poised in favor of imports from across the Atlantic as Talash has the look of an indie project with no major names attached. Having said that, the box-office is always unpredictable and we are hopeful that Talash will bring positive news for those who root for local content.

Talash

Helmed by first-timer Zeeshan Khan, Talash is the story of a group of young doctors who venture into interior Sindh. The film, according to its makers, is a romantic comedy with all the bells and whistles of a mainstream entertainer, including a socially relevant plot said to involve the issue of malnutrition.

Starring a host of promising newcomers along with some established names like Saleem Mairaj and Mustafa Qureishi, the film’s trailer showcases plenty of comedy, chases, thrills and even some very Sindhi flavored song and dance.

Ford v. Ferrari

This retro-themed period piece from the ’60s starring Hollywood biggies Christian Bale and Matt Damon combines fast speed and thrills with a story that is based on real-life events, centering on the rivalry between automakers Ford and Ferrari.

Directed by James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Walk The Line) the film is titled Le Mans ’66 for its North American release and has fared quite well with the critics, with the Rolling Stones terming it as “mission accomplished” and awarding a glowing four-star rating. It’s likely to do similarly well with the ticket paying audience as well, and in all likelihood will lead the worldwide box office this weekend.

Charlie’s Angels

The badass female trio is back in action with this latest movie reboot of the much-loved television show from the ’70s. Elizabeth Banks takes over the director’s megaphone for this latest installment, and the film features popular stars Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinksa in a thrilling plot said to revolve around a systems engineer sabotaging dangerous top-secret technology. The film features a host of action set-pieces and adrenaline-fueled chases that scream girl power, which will sate the appetites of most demanding of film viewers. It hasn’t performed too badly with the critics, either.

Box Office: Durj And Kaaf Kangana Clash – The Final Result

By

Faisal Ali H

-

November 13, 2019

The last week of October saw two important releases, Durj and Kaaf Kangana, helmed by two stalwarts of the Pakistani film scene. Much was expected from these projects, for they dealt with themes that were current and in the case of Durj also explored a genre that films in the country typically tend to shun.

To top that, both were coming with their fair share of controversies: Kaaf Kangana’s item song starring Neelam Muneer had many in the industry, as well as the DG ISPR, commenting whereas Durj was in the spotlight for the host of issues it faced with the local censors.

When it comes to the box office outcome of these two films, none of this seemed to have helped much, although in the case of Durj the temporary ban it had to face might actually have slightly improved its final box office tally.

Kaaf Kangana

The Sami Khan-Eshal Fayyaz starrer opened to weak numbers over its opening weekend, grossing slightly less than 60 lacs. The film has since maintained its run, albeit on lower levels, and tinkered through with some face-saving numbers over its third weekend, earning 0.16 crores. The film has to date grossed about 1.37 crores, according to estimates, and is likely to end its run over the 1.5 crore mark.

Week 1: 86 lacs
Week 2: 35 lacs
Third weekend:16 lacs
Total:1.37 crore

Durj

The Shamoon Abbasi directed thriller is now nearing the end of its run. The film earned about 37 lacs over its opening weekend, and its numbers since then have continued to show higher than average weekly declines, with the movie earning about 2 lacs over its third weekend for a grand total of 0.60 crores. This result is not all that bleak given that Durj is essentially an indie-horror project, and the film is likely to recoup its investment courtesy digital and television rights.

Week 1: 50 lacs
Week 2: 8 lacs
Third weekend: 2 lacs
Total: 0.60 crore

Final word

To sum up, it seems neither of the two films emerged as a victor following their clash. This Friday will see Hollywood flicks Ford vs. Ferrari, Charlie’s Angels, and Pakistani release Talash go neck to neck, which we hope would bring good tidings for the box office. Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for the latest on these films and more!

These box office numbers are estimates given by an independent box office tracking site EPK Pakistan.

Breaking The Mold: Abusive Relationships In Pakistani Dramas

By

Galaxy Lollywood

-

November 12, 2019

Author: Mehr Jan

Issues once considered too sensitive to discuss or depict are currently getting the strongest spotlight in the electronic and social media. The trend is also reflected in the Pakistani entertainment industry and dramas in particular. Contemporary scriptwriters have ventured into more socially relevant themes, and the viewers too are responding to strong, realistic stories covering themes that may have made the audience uncomfortable in the past.

The issue of domestic abuse of women – be that emotional or physical one is especially relevant to our present-day society. According to a Human Rights Watch Study, it has been estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of women in Pakistan have suffered some form of abuse. Pakistani serials have been showing the challenging circumstances many women face in marriages and relationships quite successfully for the past decade or so, with many plotlines centering around abused female protagonists who are depicted as strong-willed characters which dare to say ‘enough is enough’.

Kankar, Khaani and Khaas

Released in 2013, Kankar (written by Umera Ahmad and directed by Aabis Raza), paved the way for representing women who are headstrong and know when divorce is the only means to attain peace of mind. The show was hailed for showing its woman of substance, a superhero of the sorts who didn’t bow down to traditions and customs, willing to stand up against her own family – and for what she believed was right. Sanam Baloch played that character rather well and reprised her portrayal of the strong victim of abuse in the recently concluded Khaas, directed by Danish Nawaz.

This performance of hers’ has also received many accolades. Faced with a narcissist husband, Saba decides to take a stand for herself, against the wishes of her parents. While this may seem like the ideal stance, many women in similar situations can’t muster the courage to fight for themselves. While these dramas depict scenarios of change and hope, the question remains, are they realistic?

Can a woman think purely for her well-being when making a drastic decision? Will the society accept her views, or better yet, respect them? While it may take time to get there, things have been steadily moving. In Khaani, the heroine (played by Sana Javed) steadfastly takes a stance against the unrelenting advances of her suitor, played by Feroze Khan. Till the climax of the drama, she does not forgive him for a crime he has committed earlier.

Domestic abuse is not gender-specific

Interestingly television serials aren’t capturing women-specific abuse only, for even men have fallen victims to toxic relationships and television series like Balaa (starring Bilal Abbas Khan and Ushna Shah). That drama revolves around the story of Nigar, a girl with a physical disability who would stop at nothing to get her man, even if that means tormenting him by taking everything away from him. The sadistic nature of the protagonist was an eye-opener for many. It showed the lowest levels a person can stoop to, to get their way and that this phenomenon isn’t gender-specific.

Final Word

Here is hoping Pakistani dramas not only depict the empowerment of victims of abuse but also present realism in terms of how such situations are to be tackled when you have to stand for yourself, even if it means standing up against the world.

Do Film ‘Bans’ Improve Box Office Outcomes?

By

Faisal Ali H

-

November 12, 2019

As goes the popular cliché – controversy, quite literally, sells. Be it the business of getting eyeballs for a television show or grabbing the readers’ attention with an article, controversy is part and parcel of the world of media.

In the movie business, upcoming ventures are always looking for ways to create a splash and sometimes controversy is the best way to do that. Some films also get tangled into certification issues with the local film censors, which work towards creating some hype around their provocative content. The resulting controversy can work both in favor of the film, and if it fails to live up to the hype, against it too.

The Case of Durj

Recently, Shamoon Abbasi’s debut directorial venture Durj-The Casket hit the theaters and is now on way to completing its theatrical run. The film ran into trouble with the Central Board of Film Censors earlier last month, with the board declining to issue certification a few weeks prior to its release. Shamoon Abbasi was understandably furious and expressed his concern over social media. He later went on to formally request the CBFC to review their decision.

Consequently, Durj had to be postponed from its original release date of October 18, and for a few weeks, the news about its ‘ban’ captured the headlines in the entertainment sections of local dailies and across social media.

Following some significant cuts, the film eventually made its way to the theaters on October 25. While its content suffered to a certain extent, it was also able to create some buzz around its provocative theme dwelling on real-life cases of cannibalism. For an indie-venture, this publicity push was a mixed blessing. Pushing the film’s dark content into the spotlight would work well with the film’s target audience of horror fans, but it could also have the effect of putting off a certain segment of the audience that prefers the usual commercial content.

When it came to the bottom-line – public response at the ticket counters, the whole brouhaha didn’t seem to do much. Durj opened to middling numbers over the weekend, grossing 0.35 crores per estimates, and did not quite pick up steam from there. After its third weekend, the film is estimated to have grossed 0.60 crores, according to EPK.

Did Verna benefit?

And this has been the case with most films in Pakistan that have gone through a release cycle similar to Durj. The most well-known case has to be that of Shoaib Mansoor’s Verna. The CBFC refused to give the film a clean chit when it was reviewed on November 14 prior to its release on November 17, 2017. This resulted in an unprecedented reaction over the social media, with most crying foul over the ban of the much anticipated Mahira Khan starrer. Resultantly, the film received a marketing push that its trailer and other promos had not been able to create. However, the controversy also gave away the main theme of the film – rape and abuse of power by the elite.

When following an arduous review process the film finally did make it to most theaters on its original release date, family audiences that drive the multiplex business generally chose to stay away. Despite that, the film scored strong numbers of about 2.5 crores over its opening weekend, much more than had been expected – but the content received a mixed word of mouth and the film could not sustain there onwards.

Maalik went through the grind, too

However, where the content has clicked with the audience, film ‘bans’ have also worked in favor of a film. Such was the case with Maalik, the Ashir Azeem directed political drama that ran afoul with the censors after running for 18 days following its release in April 2016. The film, which had received a decent response, and had grossed over 2 crores, was banned in late April by the Sindh Censor Board and the CBFC. When the Lahore High Court later overturned the ban in September of that year, Maalik was able to capitalize on its controversy. The film turned out to be a sleeper hit, eventually grossing close to 7 crores.

Besides these films, there have also been lesser known cases like that of Resham starrer Swaarangi which was banned by the CBFC in September 2015. The film did eventually make it to the theaters, to a muted response. Other projects, such as Abdullah: The Final Witness were also reported to be facing censor issues and also failed to make any impact at the ticket counters.

Final word

Controversy is a great attention grabber since it allows for heightened media coverage with focus on a film’s provocative theme, however, this is a double-edged sword. While attracting a segment of the audience towards the film, it can also keep certain viewers away. When it comes to film, they say ‘Content is king’ – and this seems to apply to controversial films as well. While film bans can attract attention towards a film, its eventual box office outcome is determined by the strength of its content.

Do you agree with our analysis? Let us know in the comments below!

Shamoon Abbasi’s ‘Dhai Chaal’ Begins Shooting, ‘Qulfee’ Starring Shehroz Sabzwari Announced

By

Ozair Majeed

-

November 11, 2019

Looks like the pace of activity is picking up in the film industry. After the announcement of some high profile projects over the past week, the latest is that Shamoon Abbasi starrer Dhai Chaal is set to go on floors. The film is based on Indian spy Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav, who was arrested earlier in Balochistan on charges of terrorism.

Shamoon took to social media and broke news about the film going on floors. He also shared a picture for us to guess his co-star. This got us intrigued and we reached out to the Durj star to learn more about the interesting project — and his co-star as well.

Shamoon Abbasi’s take on the project

Speaking about his character, he said: “I am playing the role of an undercover spy Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav. It’s a real-life character so the research work was a prerequisite. The plot is based on true events, on how the Indian (spy) agency RAW created chaos through subversive activities in Balochistan and highlights the sacrifices of people in the province during that time“.

Elaborating more about the film and why he chose to be part of it, the Waar actor stated: “Films based on true events have always been my priority. I don’t want to be defined with a particular image. I want to dabble with diverse roles. The typical love stories aren’t my cup of tea. I feel proud of being part of projects that are committed to bringing out the reality of our country.”

“The film is being directed by Taimoor Shirazi, the concept is by Dr. Irfan Anwar that is brilliantly written by Farheen Choudhry,” he further revealed, adding “We have Ayesha Omar and Humayun Ashraf on-board, and Saleem Mairaj, Tipu Shah, Rasheed Naz and Pakiza Khan well. The makers are still in talks for casting for some lead actors.”

Earlier the film was in the news when actress Saba Qamar issued a statement publicly rejecting the news of her being a part of the film.

Qulfee announced

Meanwhile, another project by the name of Qulfee has also been announced. The film is set to be directed by Saleem Kareem Dad, who has earlier worked as the DOP on several major projects such as Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Balu Mahi, and Sherdil.

With the film, Shehroz Sabzwari will return on the silver screen, and he will be sharing the screen with the likes of Wali Hamid Ali Khan (Ishq Positive), Saeeda Imtiaz and Mariam Ansari, who have been named as being part of the movie’s lead cast. Other major names such as Javed Sheikh and Moamar Rana are said to be part of the supporting cast of the project. The film is produced by the same production house which earlier brought indie feature film Saawan to the audiences.

Stay tuned to Galaxy Lollywood for the latest on these two promising ventures!

Shaan Shahid’s Epic Six Film Journey As A Director To ‘Zarrar’

By

Ozair Majeed

-

November 8, 2019

In an impressive career as an actor, spanning three-decades and over 500 films, Shaan Shahid has ruled the commercial cinema since the 90s like no other. With filmmaking in his blood, his singular achievement has been that during the difficult times of the industry, he kept his focus on films alone and contributed immensely towards sustaining the film infrastructure.

While his acting accolades speak of the skills he’s made of, Shaan didn’t hesitate to take up the challenge of film direction. His mission has been to make a difference in the industry and he decided to take the top job to tell stories he wanted to convey and did some commendable work behind the camera, too.

Completing two decades as a director

This year, Shaan completed two decades as a film director. Starting with Guns and Roses: Ik Junoon in 1999 to his last release Arth – The Destination in 2017, the Khuda Kay Liye star has over the years matured as a director and has covered diverse genres of films ranging from action to romantic comedies. Of the 6 films, he’s directed, some were outright successes, others were adequate but even his most middling efforts were watchable. Let’s take a look back:

Guns and Roses – Ik Junoon (1999)

This was his first ambitious project and it took around four years for completion. The film received a lukewarm response when released in early 1999 and turned out to be an average fare at the box office. However, it’s memorable for its action sequences and a different soundtrack. Jeena Hai Jeena Tau Hai and Khat were popular songs amongst the masses. Starring Meera and Resham as the female leads, the film was also the comeback vehicle for Faisal Rehman who ventured back into films after almost a decade.

Mujhe Chand Chahiye (2000)

Shaan managed to hit the bull’s eye with Mujhe Chand Chahiye and the romantic drama went on to become a blockbuster. It earned several nominations and won big at the Nigar awards. The cast included Noor Bukhari, Moammar Rana, Atiqa Odho, Javed Sheikh and Reema. The film was noted for its popular soundtrack and some avant-garde set designing by producer Tanveer Fatima Rehman.

Moosa Khan (2001)

In Moosa Khan, Shaan essayed the role of an eponymous hero. The film seemed to be a homage of sorts to the politically charged cinema of Shaan’s illustrious father, Riaz Shahid. Starring Saima as the female lead and boasting of many emotionally charged sequences, the film did well enough at the ticket counters when released in late 2001. Shaan once again came up with a popular soundtrack, composed this time by Jawad Ahmad.

Daku (2002)

Daku featured Shaan in two contrasting avatars, that of a college professor and a dacoit. One could find traces of Mujhe Chand Chahiye in Daku as the music was given by the same team. The film came during the resurgent phase of Punjabi cinema and had a mixture of Urdu and Punjabi film aesthetics. It featured Saima, Noor and Arbaz Khan in important roles.

Zilay Shah (2008)

This film was a pseudo-sequel to another popular Punjabi film Majajan (2006). It was the biggest success of 2008 and went to bag several nominations at the Lux Style Awards. The film featured Saima and Noor (once again after Daku) in important roles and had a popular music score.

Arth – The Destination (2017)

Shaan took the ambitious initiative to remake Mahesh Bhatt’s film of the same name to fit the contemporary times. Shaan took inspiration from the original, which came out in 1982 and improvised it. The film created quite a buzz before its release, however, its commercial outcome left much to be desired.

And all of these films lead us to the project which is arguably the most ambitious ever in Shaan’s career — Zarrar, the teaser of which is expected to be released soon.

Zarrar (To be released)

Zarrar is said to be mostly based on true events and has been shot on locations in Pakistan, Europe, and Turkey. Besides acting and directing Shaan has also penned the script for this one. The cast includes veteran actor Nadeem Baig, Kiran Malik, Adnan Butt, and Nayyer Ejaz. We are definitely looking forward to catching more of this one!

Not A ‘Do Takay Ki Aurat’: These Pakistani Dramas Get Women Right

By

Hammad Akbar

-

November 8, 2019

The writer of Mere Paas Tum Ho, Khalil ur Rehman Qamar, stirred much controversy recently when his interview, which was widely interpreted to be misogynistic, started doing rounds over the internet. Following that interview, the now famous ‘do takay ki aurat’ dialogue from the television serial’s latest episode came under the spotlight, some many felt that it showed a certain bias against Mehwish, the leading lady of Mere Paas Tum Ho, when Adnan Siddiqui’s Shehwar is equally to blame as well.

The whole controversy forced people to think about the way female characters are written in our dramas. While it is true that presently Pakistani dramas still have some ground to cover in showing strong female protagonists, there are some shows that are breaking the mold by introducing female characters who have a lot more to offer than reinforcing the age-old stereotypes.

Sanam Baloch in Khaas

Khaas on its face value appeared to have a rather typical plot — A good-looking man falls in love with a pretty girl and they get married. Both of them belong to roughly the same social class and are equally educated. But after their marriage, things do not turn out well and their relationship starts to crack, due to the husband’s relentless psychological abuse of his wife. Eventually, the drama brings out in the open what many in the audience saw quite plainly – that Ammar, the husband played quite effectively by Ali Rehman Khan, is an arrogant narcissist.

He makes fun of his wife Saba, played by Sanam Baloch, humiliates her in front of his family members and expects Saba to be okay with it. What made Khaas different was how the play treated Saba. Instead of being the forever suffering heroine of the drama, she demands better treatment from her husband. And instead of the prolonged damsel-in-distress routine, we actually get to see her get out of the toxic relationship which only proved to be a source of psychological abuse for her. She eventually chooses a different partner and turns around her life.

Sonya Hussain in Ishq Zahe Naseeb

Ishq Zahe Naseeb is another drama that excites viewers every week with an unconventional storyline. There are a lot of unconventional characters in this drama and each one of them has something new to offer. Gohar, played by Sonya Hussain, happens to be one of them. Gohar and Kashif (Sami Khan) are madly in love together and want to get married. However, fate has different things in store for them and eventually they decide not to tie the knot.

Instead of crying all her life about not getting married to Kashif, Gohar moves on and starts working at a firm where she meets Sameer (Zahid Ahmed). This isn’t something we see in our dramas every day. Moreover, after getting forcefully engaged to her cousin Jahangir- who happens to be a low-life – she breaks the engagement once she finds out that he keeps track of wherever she goes and acts as if he owns her.

Azra Mansoor Hussain in Jo Tu Chahay

Our dramas hardly focus on writing better characters for women, let alone writing substantial characters for women over 50. That is why the character Aapa Ji, enacted by Azra Mansoor Hussain, from Jo Tu Chahay happens to be a breath of fresh air. First of all, she is shown as the matriarch of the family even though she has two sons. Secondly, what’s so refreshing about the character is the fact that she not only encourages her granddaughter Mashal (Alizeh Shah) to be more hopeful about her future, invoking the Almighty but also stands by her whenever she’s wronged.

For instance, in the latest episode, Mashal’s cousin Burhan (Raeed Mohammad) misbehaves with her and tries to inappropriately touch her. Once Aapa Ji finds out about this, instead of telling Mashal to keep quiet for the sake of the family’s name just as any typical Daadi of our dramas would do, she goes on to not only berate Burhan in front of his mother and father, but also slaps him. Azra Mansoor is quite a phenomenal force of nature as Aapa Ji and she manages to convey each and every emotion of the character perfectly.

These characters show that contemporary scriptwriters can pen female roles of substance just as well. These are just a few of the roles that show women in a positive light and in control of their own choices, and we look forward to seeing many more strong central female characters in future productions.

Pakistani Dramas Are Hitting 200 Million Monthly Views Online

By

Uzair Anwer

-

November 7, 2019

Pakistani television serials have always enjoyed an edge over global competition, and have enabled the Pakistani entertainment industry to establish itself on a firmer footing over the years. Be it the yesteryear classics like Tanhaiyaan or Meray Paas Tum Ho from the present day, the television industry has provided audiences with high-quality entertainment and is now conquering new horizons in the fast-expanding digital arena.

As local television offerings have become savvier production and content-wise, their viewership footprint has expanded quite significantly as well. With the emergence of YouTube and other popular online streaming platforms such as Netflix, local dramas have been viewed across the globe online in increasingly large numbers, with the greatest jump in viewership statistics having been observed in the last three years.

The amount of hits a serial gets on platforms such as YouTube is now considered to be one important barometer of a drama’s popularity and success. YouTube views are celebrated and heavily marketed over social media – almost as much as television ratings (TRPs), indicating the importance of the digital viewership platform.

Breaking new records in digital viewership

Earlier this year, ARY Digital’s Do Bol broke all records when it comes to online viewership – the serial (and its associated videos, such as its OST) are estimated to have received well over 250 million hits on YouTube alone.

It should, therefore, come as no surprise that Pakistani serials are now breaking new benchmarks in online streaming. Based on our estimates from YouTube alone, television serials are now enjoying close to 200 million monthly hits. Part of this may have to do with the clustering of popular content – productions such as Meray Paas Tum Ho, Ehd-e-Wafa and Alif are arguably three of the most long-awaited projects in recent memory, and they are all running simultaneously. As evidence of their increasing global reach, almost all major television shows provide English subtitles on YouTube.

Hitting the 2 billion annual views mark?

If local production houses continue to produce content at a similar pace, Pakistani television serials are likely to cross 2 billion annual views this year from YouTube alone, which will be a massive victory for the television industry.

ARY’s Meray Paas Tum Ho starring Humayun Saeed, Ayeza Khan and Adnan Siddiqui is touching the unprecedented heights of success and that’s referencing to its overwhelming Youtube views which are increasing with every episode. When the team of MPTH recently marketed an episode of theirs claiming it wouldn’t be released online, the fans went berserk and demanded that the episode be streamed online – and it eventually was. The serial’s channel, ARY Digital, is inching towards 10 Million subscribers on YouTube, a first for the country. HUM TV and Geo TV are not too far behind with 6.4M and 5.8M respectively.

For HUM TV’s Ehd-e-Wafa has been a game-changer. Despite being uploaded on two different YouTube channels, i.e ISPR’s and HUM TV it has still managed to surpass the numbers of previous dramas from the channel. It’s aggregate viewership routinely touches the 7 million mark. For Geo Entertainment, Hamza Ali Abbasi’s Alif is currently ruling the roost and cementing Geo’s position in the digital spectrum.

Overseas viewership

With several overseas channels such as MBC and Zee broadcasting Pakistani television plays, local productions have gained immense overseas viewership and this is one of the factors contributing to the drastic increase in digital viewership numbers from countries in North America, Europe, and the South Asian region. One indication of the immense popularity of local content is that Pakistani dramas have even been dubbed in Arabic for Gulf audiences. Sarmad Khoosat’s directorial Humsafar was the first modern-day play to be dubbed for gulf audiences.

Final word

Television serials conquering the digital medium is a good omen for the local entertainment industry. With potentially lucrative partnerships with platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, local production houses can further improve and expand their content, allowing them to cater to an even more diverse audience.

These Creative Powerhouses From Advertising Have Changed The Face Of Pakistani Cinema

By

Maisooma Batool

-

November 7, 2019

In a recent article that we did, we talked about how Pakistani television has given the up and coming film industry major support during its revival phase. Many directors, writers, and even actors now leading the pack in Pakistani cinema can trace their roots to television. However, besides television, Pakistani cinema has also benefitted invaluably from its thriving advertising sector.

The advertising industry is one of the biggest and probably the most profitable member of visual-arts related sectors in Pakistan. While every other field be it music, film, or television, has had its ups and downs, advertisement in Pakistan has continued to remain steady. The sector benefits immensely from its close links to the corporate sector — every company, be it big multinationals or a fresh domestic start-up, invests heavily towards marketing of its products. Marketing itself requires much creative input, and it is therefore a given that people with a creative vision have over time become associated with the business — advertising both turns in monetary profit while at the same time providing a level of creative satisfaction. Therefore, it is no surprise to anyone that some current well-known directors of our industry have a history of being attached to the advertising world.

The slick and tongue-in-cheek

Last year’s mega-hit Teefa In Trouble had been an anticipated film ever since its announcement. And the main reason was the man helming the project: its director Ahsan Rahim. Starting his career in the late 90s, Ahsan has spent decades in the advertising industry and has had countless projects ranging from music videos to advertising campaigns to his credit.

The series of advertisements he directed for telecom company Ufone became instantly viral and have over time become a part of contemporary Pakistani pop-culture. Ahsan brought his brand of sleek action and tongue in cheek humor to his first directorial venture starring Ali Zafar and Maya Ali — and it did wonders on the box office.

Bringing exquisite detailing to his craft

Another director who has been attached to some of the biggest multinational companies for years and has directed memorable advertisements over the years is Asim Raza. Asim’s work always stands out for being distinctly classy and high quality, with the director spending much time on meticulously detailing his visuals. He has worked on numerous high-profile projects, such as his much talked about advertising campaigns for Lux and Coca Cola.

A man with a grand vision, Asim has the knack of capturing the extraordinary beauty of ordinary circumstances, a fact which was very clear in both his directorial ventures Ho Mann Jahan and Parey Hut Love. The visuals of these films are truly grand and do justice to the format of the big cinema screens.

Glamorous and visually opulent

Baaji, the film which brought the darker side of the glamorous world of cinema, got wide critical acclaim both in Pakistan as well as internationally. The man behind the film, Saqib Malik is an industry veteran with almost three decades of experience. His name has been attached to some major advertisements as well as some much-acclaimed music videos.

One of the most iconic and memorable music videos from Pakistani music scenes, Khamaj, is directed by Saqib Malik. His production company, Page33 films has also worked with top industry brands such as Pepsi and McDonalds.

Understanding the language of art-house cinema

Perhaps one Pakistani film director who has crafted a niche catering to those who prefer films with art-house cinema influences is Jamshaid Mahmood aka Jami. With films like Moor and Operation 021 to his credit, Jami’s vision for what a Pakistani film should be like i.e. distinct and relevant to the times for the Pakistani population is very clear. His roots, too lie in the fields of advertising and music videos. His company, AzadFilm, has worked on numerous campaigns for companies ranging from Shell to the United Nations.

Directors belonging to the advertisement world have given Pakistani cinema some of its most distinct products. One thing that stands common between all the individuals mentioned in this piece is their dedication to producing a visual product that stands out among the competition — each of these four creative powerhouses have their own distinct visual language which they express through film. With their unique creative vision and its impeccable execution, they have contributed much towards the enrichment of Pakistani cinema. It is this kind of diverse, visually compelling content that Pakistani cinema needs in order to carve an individual identity for itself on a global scale.