Joyland Trailer Review: Cinema In Pakistan On The Verge Of Reviving

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November 5, 2022

The film industry of Pakistan, post-pandemic has shown stability with an exciting mix of art-house and mainstream films like ‘Kamli’ and ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’. Besides bringing in the much-needed footfalls and keeping the cash registers ringing, the two films importantly coaxed the audiences to witness the magic of the big screen.

Some films are created with a vision of breaking stereotypes. Some work and some don’t. But one thing that remains constant is that they make a way for many like them to come. Saim Sadiq’s ‘Joyland’ seems to be one. 2022 has some more substantial content to offer as the internationally acclaimed film is set to lure the domestic audience on November 18.

After months of accumulating historic milestones and accolades for Pakistan on the world stage, the trailer of ‘Joyland’ has finally been released on YouTube. The one-and-a-half-minute trailer gives a sneak peek at a claustrophobic household where individuals deal with the complexities of gender identity, buried desires and self-discovery.

The Story

For the unversed, the plot of Joyland heavily borrows from Sadiq’s ‘Darling’ which won best short film at the 2019 Venice Film Festival. Set in the walled city of Lahore, the trailer of ‘Joyland’ narrates the story of Haider (Ali Junejo) who works as a background dancer for Biba (Alina Khan), a trans woman, at an erotic theatre. Haider, however, tells his patriarch father whom he fears the most that he is a theatre manager and nothing more. Biba wants to headline her own show, we see huge cutouts of her, being placed at the theatre, which doesn’t go well with the resident diva. Haider becomes infatuated with Biba, and with time, something innocent grows into something bigger and beyond.

Haider and his wife Mumtaz (Rasti Farooq) come across as an affectionate couple. While the former is busy crushing on Biba, Mumtaz sees Nucchi (Sarwat Gilani) as an object of desire. She shares tender and sensuous moments of joy with her sister-in-law. The members of the Rana family are on a similar quest of finding selfhood. The trailer concludes by giving us a prominent look at the other members i.e. Sohail Sameer, Sania Saeed, and Salman Peerzada.

Awards and Recognition

‘Joyland’ had its world premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival 2022. It is the first Pakistani film that received a standing ovation after the screening. It also won the Jury prize and the Queer Palm award. Apart from getting glorious international reviews, the film is Pakistan’s official submission at the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars) in the ‘Best International Film’ category. It has also found a place at tiff (Toronto International Film Festival 2022). The film was also declared the ‘Best Film of the sub-continent’ at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).

Final Word

The vibrant trailer of Joyland cleverly brims the elements of joy, blood, sorrows, sacrifice, struggles and breathtaking silences. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and truly delivers what it set out to achieve.

Here’s What We Thought Of Feroze Khan’s Latest Rap Song

By

Ifrah Butt

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November 5, 2022

Feroze Khan doesn’t need an introduction. He is one of the most sought-after actors in the Pakistani television industry, having worked on one mega-project after another. His dramas, namely, ‘Khaani’, ‘Romeo Weds Heer’, ‘Khuda Aur Mohabbat 2’ and ‘Ishqiya’ stayed on top of the charts on various channels during their run.

FK, as his fans refer to him, has been trending on social media for quite some time now. However, this time the cause of Khan’s fame was none of his dramas or any social media antics. Instead Feroze’s wife Alizay recently filed for a divorce quoting domestic violence on his part. The matters escalated to court and the actor came under fire from the masses and the entertainment industry for being allegedly an abuser after Alizay published proof of domestic violence in the court.

During the entire fiasco, Feroze Khan has remained indifferent to the accusations made by his ex-wife. Besides that, Khan has been maintaining an active social media profile posting regular content about strength, courage and the fact that he made no friends in the industry.

Amid all of this Feroze Khan launched his own YouTube channel. One wonders why FK took such a step but then again, we cannot be so sure. With a number of celebrities creating content on their YouTube handles, perhaps Feroze Khan too jumped the bandwagon or maybe he is looking for a temporary buffer. That said. Feroze recently released his first rap song on his official channel ‘Maangain Subki Khairain‘.

What We Think Of Feroze Khan’s ‘Maangain Subki Khairain’

Well to be very honest, Feroze’s ‘Maangain Subki Khairain‘ comes across as nothing but an answer to all those questions and accusations the media has been hurling at Feroze Khan ever since his ex-wife broke the silence. The gist of the song is the actor talking about strength, courage, indifference, a positive approach and several other things. Although it does seem like the lyrics are all over the place. A mix of Urdu, Punjabi and some English, ‘Maangain Subki Khairain‘ is a mixed chaat of sorts that just doesn’t deliver what it was supposed to deliver in the first place.

However, that said, the song definitely has a catchy tune and Feroze is definitely an apt rapper. He knows the highs and lows of rapping and his voice modulation is also impressive. Perhaps if ‘Khaani‘ actor tries to pen down some coherent lyrics next time, he might be able to deliver a memorable rap song. For now, the rap and its timing are just not right.

Audience Reaction

Even though there has been a huge cry, calling out for a ban on Feroze Khan after his wife’s accusations, FK’s loyal fans have lauded his latest attempt at rapping on his YouTube channel. Positive comments have flooded the feed, with listeners praising Feroze’s maiden try at bringing together a rap song.

What do you think about Feroze Khan’s ‘Maangain Subki Khairain‘? Let us know in the comments below.

Hamza Ali Abbasi Rejected These Big Bollywood Films Due To Certain Scenes And Anti-Pakistan Narrative

By

Armaan Shehreyaar

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November 1, 2022

They say art has no boundaries so it should neither be restricted by geopolitical situations nor by any other division. There have been several successful and exciting collaborations between Pakistan and Indian over the decades. While several Indian artists visited Pakistan and worked in dramas and films, many of our renowned artists made Pakistan proud through their craft in the neighbouring country.

However, the scenario changed entirely when political situations started to get intensified and Pakistani artists got restricted to work in India. Before the restrictions were imposed several artists from our fraternity were offered Bollywood movies. One such is the ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ star Hamza Ali Abbasi, who recently revealed in an interview, that he was offered superhit and acclaimed Bollywood films including ‘Baby’ and ‘Judwaa 2’.

The actor appeared in a digital chat show for the promotions of ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ where he was asked about the Bollywood offer, which he refused back in 2015. Talking about ‘Judwaa 2’ of Varun Dhawan and Jacqueline Fernandez starrer, he shared that filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala approached him for the feature film. To which the ‘Pyaare Afzal’ star told: “Maybe because India and Pakistan have been at arm’s length and there were certain scenes in that film that I wasn’t comfortable with”.

Earlier, the ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Aani’ actor also spoke about refusing Akshay Kumar’s political thriller film ‘Baby’, certainly due to its anti-Pakistan narrative. While sharing about the incident Hamza Ali Abbasi said: “I was offered this Indian film Baby last year and I immediately said no to it, seeing a slight anti-Pakistan element in its storyline. I am in favour of our artists working in Indian films, but if any film has even a slight anti-Pakistan theme, please think like a Pakistani first and then an artist”.

Hamza Ali Abbasi has been vocal about the respect and honour of Pakistani artists in the Indian Film Industry through his social media. He has also often shared his stance on the entire scenario. Well, what’s right and what’s not is not a debate we would like to get into, however, different perspectives should be respected, as this is what art is about. What do you think about this? Let us know in the comments section.

Yumna Zaidi Spills Details On The Struggles Of Becoming ‘Bakhtawar’

By

Izma Azeem Chughtai

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October 31, 2022

From her debut as a supporting actor in ‘Thakan’ to becoming a recipient of three Lux Style Awards, Yumna Zaidi is currently one of the top performers in Pakistan. Her choice in selecting roles has always been sophisticated and stems away from the traditional stories in mainstream dramas. ‘Pyar Ke Sadqay’ and ‘Parizaad’ are examples that have received commendable reviews, and Yumna has played a significant part in them.

HUM TV’s special ‘Bakhtawar’ is a similar tale that touches upon the struggles of women in a male dominant world: a narrative that is quite controversial for the masses to digest. Yumna stars as the leading character, an independent young woman who is compelled to find work and build herself a better life. The highlight of this show is how the girl named Bakhtawar transforms herself into a man to achieve this goal.

About Becoming Bakhtu

In an interview conducted by Maliha Rehman, the ‘Sinf-e-Aahan’ star talked about the struggles of taking up this demanding role, barefaced and in the costume of a man. Taking the mike, Yumna said, “It was a challenge to prepare for my role. Without makeup and baggy clothes, and having that tiny wig to look boyish, a girl like me or any actress in Pakistan would feel the same.”

She further emphasized the process of becoming a man in the series, “My body was packed with different layers to hide my body, hair packed to look more like a man.”

Yumna lamented about not being able to look pretty in this role but also spoke about the physical transformation the actor was required to complete for the two contrasting characters. She said, “It was a physical challenge, but it also required more. I had to learn to change my voice, as there was less time between the shoots to change my character from Bakhtawar to Bakhtu.”

The Script Selection

The Ruswaiyaan actor also talked about her selection of scripts, as she’s known to choose narratives that are deviant from the norm. On being asked about her decisions, she answered, “When I got the script, I was super excited, so I picked it as a challenge.”

Yumna then reflected on Bahktawar and why it turned out to be such a vital role. “In this world, regardless of its advances, women are still facing such injustice. No matter how powerful she is, or the time, women continue to face incidents that make you see the grim reality,” she added.

She concluded her statement by praising her choice. “I have taken a story of a woman and her stand and struggle in life, which is something I am proud of and satisfied with.”

She further added: “I walked on the roads and felt the difference”

In the interview, Yumna recalled the biggest learning curve of her life while filming for the drama. During her shoots, the starlet was required to walk on roads freely with a hidden camera to capture her surroundings, giving it a more realistic picture.

Yumna explained, “We had to shoot raw in markets with a hidden camera, so I had to walk on the roads and I felt the difference. I had a team, with bouncers and still felt uncomfortable. In the same market, when I was in a male’s get-up, I walked so comfortably, and I kept thinking about the women who walk on these roads. It was just a shoot, and I was fully protected, but not these women who go here every day.”

She expressed that this realisation of “privilege” and having “slightly more protected lives” has changed her whole outlook on life, making her more grateful for everything she has been blessed with, including security. Dressing up from Bakhtawar to Bakhtu was not only a physical journey for the actor but also a mental one that has taught the actor numerous life-long lessons.

Review: ‘Agar’ Portrays The Tragic Reality Of Women In Our Society

By

Izma Azeem Chughtai

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October 27, 2022

The current drama industry is a cluster of redundant stories based on love, betrayal, and loss. The majority of the narratives entailing women submerge their identity in infatuations and marriage with men. It appears their sole purpose in life is to please, cater to, and sustain energy revolving around their other halves. Unfortunately, the recent premiere of ‘Agar’ cement into the same category, though holds an impeccable cast to deliver its story to people.

While the teaser suggested the drama would contain an intricate message for young women, the first episode introduced three sisters, Hooriya, Annie, and Chandni as mere secondary characters in their own story. All of their destinies tie around men; a rather tragic reality for women in Pakistan’s society.

Hum Tv is known for creating commendable productions, therefore there is still hope for the plot to build up and upgrade the drama. The show stars Hina Altaf, Junaid Khan, Juggan Kazim, Hira Soomro, Ali Abbas, Hina Bayat, Behroz Sabzwari, Ahmed Randhawa, Maheen Siddiqui, Ismat Zaidi and Sehrish. It is written by ‘Dil Awaiz”s writer Madiha Shahid, directed by Ilyas Kashmiri and produced By Momina Duraid Productions.

Plot

As per the details given out to viewers, ‘Agar’’s story is primarily based around Hooriya, played by Hina, who fancies luxury and dreams of a life full of leisure, beauty and grace. Being a conventionally attractive woman, she is certain that her fate is tied to a great partner. However, the realities of life hit her and force her to make adjustments to her desires.

Quite interestingly, the first episode does not put the spotlight on Hooriya. Instead, her repetitive personality is a sight one can view in various dramas; it makes her less attractive and removes the gripping aspect of her role.

In contrast, Annie (Juggan Kazim) delivers more justice to the narrative through her intriguing role as an elder of the family who holds significant responsibilities. To put it short, her character gives more juice to the story through her burdened duties.

It is definitely too early to pull the strings and give a final verdict, therefore viewers should wait for a few more episodes to see if the story holds more ground, or just feels like another tale that’s been told multiple times already.

Juggan’s Notable Comeback

After a decade-long break from acting, Juggan has come back to vow her fans through her praiseworthy performance. The woman can act, and the premier of ‘Agar’ is an ode to her talent. From the first scene to the last, Annie holds the storyline together with the addition of her romance with Shawaiz (Junaid Khan).

Annie’s inclusion in the plot elevates it from a basic account of a young girl infatuated with a man to save her day to a more interesting one by discussing the struggles of working women, and households which are led by females. In a sense, Hooriya is actually a deviant in the plot, opposing the liberty of women, and desiring a life where she does not have to work endlessly to make ends meet.

Her view on lifestyle is juxtaposed with Annie and Chandni, which makes her the lone wolf in her delusional desire to grasp luxury, without making any effort in the process, except for preying on a man to do the job for her.

A Slow, But An Appreciable Introduction

‘Agar’’s first episode had a strong introduction of characters, each getting a significant amount of screen time to portray their pasts and struggles to the audience. Although a bit dragged, the plot still contained a good balance of each women’s story.

The initial scenes of the episode showed Hooriya doing chores, and lamenting a life full of work. Then, the camera moved to Annie showing her as the man of the house, catering to everyone’s needs while her brother enjoys his freedom mingling with his partner. Later the storyline also reveals the love interests of the characters, each having their own problems as well.

Lastly, the episode leaves a gloomy mark, revealing the insecurities of all the women in the house; Chadni’s inferiority complex, Juggan’s desire for a partner, and Hooriya’s rigid beliefs about luxury. It’s definitely not a shocking or mind-boggling end, but it subtly hints at an array of conflicts to unfold in future episodes.

Conclusion

‘Agar’ is the type of drama that sows its seeds slowly and then builds up the plotline to its optimal potential. While its premiere was not satisfying, there is much left to be shown in the forthcoming episodes. There is a high possibility that the characters may become more complex, and hold more engaging stories to tell spectators.

It can turn out to be the classic case of not judging a book by its cover.

‘Badshah Begum’ Ends On A Tragic Yet Thrilling Note

By

Armaan Shehreyaar

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October 19, 2022

Grand setups, stellar cast, mind-boggling performances, and an absolute admirable premise, this is all one looks for on television these days. However, that requires the hand of a sensible director along with the support of an equally creative team, which with all our inclinations we observed in HUM TV’s most recent drama ‘Badshah Begum’.

Following a long delay and several changes in the cast and team, the project went on air this year with a grand launch party at the place of the producer Rafay Rashdi. Ever since the project made it to our TV screens, the excellence outshined everything else, given there could have been improvements in some areas.

‘Badshah Begum’ ended last night while leaving the audience on the edge of their seats and giving refreshing anticipation of another season.

The Drama

Starring Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui, Farhan Saeed, Yasir Hussain, and Saman Ansari in pivotal roles, the show had a bunch of uber-talented artists in intriguing characters. ‘Badshah Begum’ is directed by Khizer Idrees of ‘Laapata’ and written by ‘O Rangreza’’s Saji Gul.

Rafay Rashdi and Momina Duraid’s production turned out to be a win-win for the project despite its slow pace and an excessive number of episodes. The direction and visual appeal however have been a plus point. The plot, execution, and story managed to grab the attention of the masses and critics right at the moment it was announced a few years back, which got acknowledged rightfully after its release.

The Last Episode

After a great run of 35 episodes, the serial aired its final episode last night which delivered a great sequence of tragedy, action, and thrill all along. Especially the dreadful killing of most major characters of the story created and lasted a strong impact on the masses.

The show is believed to be based on true incidents that occurred during the Mughal era, as the name suggests, the drama contains events inspired by the life of the lady lord of the Agra Fort however, no such factors have been discussed in detail by anyone from the team.

Coming back to the conclusion of the show, heavy, majestic, royal, and charming visuals were a constant feel of it. Though a number of people still found it a bit difficult to process the ending. While many viewers wanted Shahzaib to get the throne of Peeranpur, a lot of fans however wanted to see a happy end for JahanAara which obviously turned out to be more chilling than the entire serial.

Conclusion

Television viewers with a keen sense of art and literature are all for sensitively handled concepts like ‘Badhshah Begum’ offered. It was a great sight every week to see our local production value upgraded to be as gorgeous as this. Provided, we still need to revisit the dynamics of a number of episodes to make our content more impactful widely.

Tich Button: High Powered Trailer With Engaging Storyline

By

Ifrah Butt

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October 18, 2022

Earlier this year, the cast of the multi starrer ‘Tich Button’ announced the release date of the film. The entire cast including heart throb Farhan Saeed, the very gorgeous Iman Ali, Sonya Hussyn and Feroze Khan announced the release date on Eid. The producer Urwa Hocane also took to Instagram and shared new posters of the cast members. According to the buzz ‘Tich Button’ would be released on the 28th of October 2022, however, with the release date so near, we were left wondering why there had been no promotional activities for the film like all others.

Not only that, it was highly appreciated when the film announced a non-holiday release, going against the norm. Also, with the producers confident about the content and reception to the film, after its teaser created a lot of hype amongst the masses, it was expected ‘Tich Button’ would receive a warm welcome on the box office, holiday release or not.

Tich Button Gets A Release Date

The release date for ‘Tich Button’ has been pushed back from the 28th of October but the good thing is, we have 11th November as the film’s final release date. The announcement was made today alongside the release of the theatrical trailer of the film.

The Trailer And The Story

The trailer released shows a love rectangle between the leading cast. In the first half Sonya and Farhan appear as a couple but the gradient shifts and we can see a strong equation between Sonya and Feroze and Farhan and Iman Aly in the second half.

Farhan Saeed hails from a desi background with an interest in the very desi Sonya Hussyn. On the other hand Iman Aly came across as a modern, bold and unapologetic girl living life on her own terms in Turkey. Feroze Khan seems to be doing good abroad as well and has a love interest in Iman but things go topsy turvy as the two take a trip back to Pakistan.

The trailer presents a very engaging storyline with an amazing pace, gorgeous locations and situations that definitely grab attention. This high powered trailer has definitely left the audience wanting more and eager for the release of the film on 11th November.

Directed by Qasim Ali Mureed, ‘Tich Button’ has been produced by Urwa Hocane and Muhammad Jerjees Seja under the banner of ARY Films, Salman Iqbal Films and Shooting Star Studio. The film has a multi-starrer cast with names like Farhan Saeed, Iman Aly, Sonya Hussyn and Feroze Khan in the credits. Based on a script by the talented writer Faiza Iftekhar, ‘Tich Button’ definitely has had an avid following ever since it was announced, majorly because of Farhan Saeed’s charismatic appearance in the Hum TV drama, Suno Chanda and the fact that the film would mark a cinematic comeback for the gorgeous Iman Aly.

Initially ‘Tich Button’ was slated to release over two years ago, however, after the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the film was pushed back to when things would get back to normal. Filming started back in 2019 and a 2020 Eid release was targeted for the film earlier. However, despite the fact that the world shifted back to its new normal and movies hitting the cinemas, left, right and centre, the only thing we know about ‘Tich Button’ was its teaser. But now with the trailer dropping and a release slated for the 11th of November, only good things are expected of ‘Tich Button’.

Keeping in view the current run of ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ at the box office which isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, the decision to push back the release date for ‘Tich Button’ seems like an intelligent move altogether. Also with the high powered trailer that Tich Button has dropped, a non holiday release might not affect the film’s bussiness at all. Here’s wishing team Tich Button all the very best for their upcoming release.

Is Agar’s Story Similar To Dobara?

By

Armaan Shehreyaar

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October 18, 2022

Hum TV is among the top entertainment networks in Pakistan’s television industry. They have been serving quality content for decades to people who understand the Urdu language around the globe. Due to their exceptionally well-written scripts and closer-to-reality stories, the channel has received acknowledgements from both; the audience and critics.

Recently, the channel released teasers of its upcoming drama ‘Agar’ starring Junaid Khan and Usama Khan opposite Juggun Kazim and Hina Altaf respectively. The project is penned down by Madiha Shahid of ‘Aik Thi Raniya’ and ‘Dilaawaiz’ and directed by Ilyas Kashmiri of ‘Aik Sitam Aur’. The teasers are well cut yet fail to trick the viewers from observing the similarities the show might have with Hum TV’s other drama ‘Dobara’.

The Teasers And The Story

Teasers of ‘Agar’ present the story of two women respectively played by Juggun Kazim and Hina Altaf who due to the difference in age and maturity have contrasting desires and perceptions regarding love and life. Juggun’s character in the show seems to be a more sensible and simple individual who sees life through an absolute non-materialistic lens. While Hooriya played by Hina Altaf prefers physical beauty and material cost over spirituality and love.

Junaid Khan and Usama Khan seemingly have diverse roles in the show opposite the leading ladies. While the character of Junaid Khan is a charmer and adds a more mature-love angle to the story opposite Juggun Kazim, Usama Khan plays a young guy having dreams and aspirations.

Another Older Woman – Younger Man Love Story?

Millennial love stories and young, passionate love seem to have become an overdone plot now as this refreshing narrative of middle-aged love is taking over our television and we are all for it.

Hum TV’s recently ended drama ‘Dobara’ starring Hadiqa Kiani and Bilal Abbas Khan created a buzz over social media for its fresh narrative highlighting the marital relationship between a younger man and an older woman. Saba Qamar and Noman Habib starrer ‘Bunty I Love You’ portrayed a similar tale.

Expectations

Seeing meaningful narratives presented on television always gives a refreshing feel however one concept being circulated to different slots with minor changes in script and cast will cause monotonous. ‘Agar’ is going to start in a few weeks and we’ll be looking forward to watching and talking about its story and are only hoping that there will be more to it than what’s seen in the teasers.

‘Qalandar’ Review: An Enchanting Tale Of Having Faith In God

By

Subaiqa Sarfaraz

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October 15, 2022

Having faith in God and completely surrendering to him is what one needs to believe in at all times, and we often question if our prayers go unanswered and why this is happening to us. Geo TV has come up with a very innovative storyline based on the concept of having full faith in God. Written by the famous writer Samra Bukhari, directed by Saima Waseem, and produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, carried out under the auspices of 7th Sky Entertainment, the newly released drama ‘Qalandar’ stars Muneeb Bhatt and Komal Meer, and Ali Abbas in the lead roles. With Mikaal Zulfiqar in charge, it was a unique drama serial. Fans are looking forward to watching the actor’s first role behind the scenes.

Introduction

This is the first debut of the new screen couple and it emphasizes the impact of having full faith and belief in God. The first episode of the drama was very refined as it gives a brief introduction to the characters. Muneeb Bhatt is starred as Tabriz, who is very self-centred and wants to be successful at any cost, while his brother Irfan (Ali Abbas) is quite literally the opposite of him. He is a decent man who wants to have a decent living without any illegal or wrongdoings but often goes unnoticed and unappreciated by his father who rather shows concern for Tabriz as they have spent a huge amount of money on his education and well-being.

As the episode moves forward we are introduced to the character of Komal Meer as Dur – e -Adan; a girl who has a very religious upbringing, prays often and is very virtuous. She’s quite pious, and whenever she prays, God grants her desires. Prayers have a substantial impact on her since she is portrayed as a person who has full trust in God.

Expectations

As the drama will move forward, it will be quite a matter of fact to ponder upon how Tabriz and Dur e Adnan will move forward despite being of the opposite charisma. In short, this drama is about spirituality and having a thought on the notion that prayers do miracles and no matter how rich of the status we might get, if we summon ourselves to God’s will, there is always a way and if not then the road will always be rough.

Money Back Guarantee Trailer: Chaotic Yet Promising

By

Izma Azeem Chughtai

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October 15, 2022

The film industry in Pakistan is revving, and compelling new films are on the way. For almost two years, actors including Fawad Khan, Mikaal Zulfiqar,Mirza Gohar Rasheed, and Ex-Cricketer Wasim Akran have been honing their performances for the upcoming film ‘Money Back Guarantee’. Finally, the long-awaited movie has released a trailer.

On Friday, nearly two-minute trailer was posted with the caption, “The wait is finally over! ZASHKO Films, in collaboration with Gameover Productions and Distribution Club, present the first official theatrical trailer of ‘Money Back Guarantee’. MBG is an action, comedy and thriller movie, written and directed by Faisal Qureshi. Releases in cinemas worldwide on Eid-ul-Fitr 2023.”

The trailer was received well in the realm of Lollywood, and the majority of the fans are excited to see a different narrative on-screen that does not involve a basic romantic love story. However, the teaser does not reveal much about the story and raises certain questionable plots and concerns about the film.

Firstly, some of the scenes have an eerie resemblance to Netflix’s popular series ‘Money Heist’ and Indian Movie ‘Happy New Year’ with the masks, guns, and a group of people looting from the rich; one can only hope it doesn’t come off as a remake of another dramatisation.

The Undeniable Grasp

The film genre pertains to action, comedy, and thriller; the trailer does complete justice to these expectations. The show appears to be quite entertaining, thrilling, and full of plot twists, fast-paced sequences, and a flare that can glue someone to the screen. Perhaps, the concern here is if the movie will only possess this quality.

A Promising Cast

The trailer greets the audience with some very familiar faces. From Fawad Khan’s charming appeal to Ayesha Omar’s cameo, the short tease is full of amazing performers who are bound to make the show more attractive and increase fan following.This will mark as Wasim Akram’s debut.

Wasim Akram, Shaniera Akram, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Javed Sheikh, Jan Rambo, Gohar Rasheed, Hina Dilpazir, Shayan Khan, Mani, Kiran Malik, Ali Safina, Marhoom Ahmad Bilal, Adnan Jaffer, Shafaat Ali, and Aqdas Waseem are just some of the stars in the highly anticipated film Money Back Guarantee.

A Haphazard Storyline?

A debatable element in the trailer is the slipshod structure of the film, but maybe this is an immature stance to fully conclude right now. Therefore, one can simply note that the trailer emerges as a narrative with multiple aims, and does not reveal anything else for us to judge upon. Either the trailer is extremely well curated, or it might foreshadow a haphazard plot of the film.

Conclusion

From the onlook of an open mind, this movie does stem further away from most content in Pakistan, therefore it deserves the credit of being unique and interesting. The production, actors, and dialogues are top-notch, flimsy and catchy. ‘Money Back Guarantee’ is certainly a movie worth waiting for, as it engages a load of excitement and is creating space for Pakistani cinema in the action-comedy domain. The movie is set to release on 21st April 2023.