Not to our surprise, the Shoaib Mansoor production and the mega hit on Pakistani silver screen last year; Bol, has bagged all three film awards at 11th Lux Style Awards 2012.
In a grand event last evening, where many of the TV, film, fashion and music stars walked
After the disappointing news that none of the funds from this year’s budget were allocated for the film industry, here is another dreary fact: 2012 may just be the year that sees the least number of film releases in the industry’s history. According to a source within the film industry, only two or three Lahore-based productions are scheduled to be released this Eid; film-makers have moved from Lahore to greener pastures, leaving the once busy studios silent and empty.
Producer of last year’s Bhai Log, Chaudhry Kamran explains why. “Why would investors want to make a film which is unable to recover (investments)?” he asks, adding that the movie was a hit when it was released over Eidul Fitr as it drew in large crowds. Kamran has been working on revamping the existing producers association, which he hopes will provide a forum to address film-makers’ grievances. He also added that around eight to 10 films will be produced every year with only two or three being released during Eid.
Lahore was once considered the hub of film-making and television productions. But today, if one walks into any big studio in the city, they will realise that productions have come to a drastic halt. Zoraiz Lashari, Chairman of the Film Exhibitor Association, told The Express Tribune that the release of two Punjabi films on Eid is still not confirmed. He also clarified that the long term scope of Punjabi films has been under scrutiny for quite some time now and the business ethos of minting money will not work in such a high-risk industry.
“If the practice of making poor quality films continues, you will reach a point where investors will find it difficult to fund them. The emphasis on regional films is problematic because they can never recover in today’s viewer market,” said Lashari who is a firm believer of the private sector film industry acknowledging that it needs to raise its standards.
Actor Kanwal, who has been working closely with the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) to support entertainment, feels that the reason behind the downfall in the industry’s output in Lahore is the government’s indifference. She elaborates on how Lahore had sustained itself as the hub of film productions for a long time but is now losing its identity due to pressure from changing markets.
“It can’t flourish without concentration on film as an industry by the government,” says Kanwal, who expects three to four films to be the realistic number of film releases this year.
“People form the support system – technicians, supporting cast members and others. Lead actors or famous personalities can always adjust themselves elsewhere. It is these people, the supporting crew which end up opening chai shops.”
Actor-director Javed Sheikh feels this break in production heralds evolution, not doom and gloom.
He remains positive about the film industry and says that Pakistan is realigning itself like India, where the industry is diverse. He also points out that part of this change is that production is shifting from Lahore to Karachi, since most equipment, actors and resources are now stationed in the city by the sea. “I think any old building eventually has to be replaced with a new building,” he said, adding that 2013 will be a “comeback year” for the industry with about eight films scheduled for release. Some of these new productions include films by Jami, Humayun Saeed and Shoaib Mansoor as well as some by Islamabad-based productions like Waar and Zinda Bhaag.
“This is the beginning of a parallel industry where there will be high quality films and then low grade films as well, which will continue to cater to the regional audiences,” he added. Sheikh is optimistic about this development and the transition from large single screens to multiplexes in the country. He also pointed out that Rawalpindi, which was considered a dormant market for films, has now turned into one worth Rs20million.
At the end, Sheikh said he feels that the Pakistani film industry is really just transforming into a more pro-quality business, with more efforts, work and money being put into producing better films for the masses.
While some may be proclaiming that film industry is dead in Pakistan due to the lowest output this year, it is heartening to see someone from behind the lens talk about a bright future.
Well people it is now official. The much hyped and talked about wedding of the Pakistani superstar Meera has been called off! There were reports in the media that the wedding will take place on July 21 but Meera talked to the media and told everyone that she has called off the marriage.
The reason you ask is the false accusations her in-laws made. Meera says “Shaadi nahi ho rahi hai. Jo aurat ko izzat nahi dena jaante hain unse main shaadi nahi karna chahti hun. The boy was good but the problem was his family which was acting cheap and wanted publicity in media. Un logon ko news main aane ka itna shauk tha, jis wajah se I got pissed off and just broke the marriage off. I feel blackmailing se koi shaadi nahi hoti hai. Unhone bahut harass kiya, galat ilzaam lagaye. How can you expect me to get married into such a family? Bahut cheap publicity kar rahe the ladke wale and my family was very upset with the false news being circulated in the media. Initially, I was very upset but then I realized kya fyaada aise logon ke ghar main shaadi karke jaane ka. I spoke to Naaved directly and told him that I don’t want to get married. I don’t regret my decision. I would prefer to settle down with someone who is a gentleman.”
Meera also said that she believes her ex-boyfriend Shoaib Akhtar is the reason behind the change in behaviour of her in-laws. She said “The main cause for this incident is my ex-boyfriend Shoaib Akhtar. Shoaib ne Naaved ki family ko bhadkaya, mere baare main bahut bura bhula kaha. I was seeing Shoaib for almost one-and-a-half years, but when I found he was cheating on me by flirting with other women, I broke up with him. I even wanted to marry him but he was never serious”.
However Shoaib Akhtar completely denies ever being romantically involved with Meera. Well we do not know who is right and who is wrong but all we can say to Meera is stay strong and focus on your work. Your next film ” 5 Ghantey Mein 5 Crore” is just about to release go out and promote it and then you also have “Ishq Khuda” releasing on Eid!
The critically acclaimed film “Heal” released online few days back and now is available for viewing at Vimeo. Here is the link to the film
The keenly awaited Meera starer “5 Ghantey Mien 5 Crore” will finally be releasing worldwide on 10th August. The film has already been delayed quite some times due to the battle with the censor board which has finally been won as Faisal Saif says. The censor board had objectives with a scene where Meera plays with the dead body of her co-star Shawar Ali. However, now with everything approved, the film will soon hit cinemas worldwide and here is the very hot second trailer of the film.Enjoy 🙂
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TKZWkrtcco&w=560&h=315]
The keenly awaited FHM India’s annual list of the 100 sexiest women in the world just came out and guess what?
If reports and these pictures are to be believed then yes Reema Khan will soon be seen0n PTV in a telefim called “Ratti Masha Tola”. We still do not have any idea when will the shooting take place and when will the telefilm be aired. However we do have some pictures from the sets we are sharing with you. We are sure many Reema fans will be happy after hearing this development. We wish Reema all the best :).
Lollywood’s sole online magazine Pakistan Insight Entertainment (PIE) just released its seventh issue.Here is the link. The magazine is in collaboration with Galaxy Lollywood
Ahsan Khan grooves with Meera and Resham.
What GL says: Giving a glimpse of the chemistry to expect from their up-coming film “Ishq Khuda” were Ahsan Khan and Meera who made a cute Heer Ranjha. Furthermore Ahsan also danced with Resham and this was one hell of a performance.Here is the video link. Enjoy 🙂
Ahsan and Meera’s performance starts at 31:00
Ahsan and Resham’s performance starts at 47:00
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYL5TY2YY64&w=560&h=315]
Previously promoted as Seedlings; Mohib Mirza and Aamina Sheikh starrer upcoming Pakistani film Lamha has now made its entry to New York City International Film Festival.
