HUM TV is known for creating quality content and selling it in an impactful manner, by giving their dramas (and films) a treatment that directly pushes all the right buttons, with audiences enthusiastically adoring these programs. Their upcoming drama serial titled Wehem seems to follow in line, having launched its teasers, and people are loving every bit of what has been revealed, while anticipating the release of the show.
Wehem Teasers
Wehem doesn’t promise a visually apparent high budget, or boast about being a grand production saga. Nonetheless, the teasers are managing to grab attention with a promising storyline.
The promos seemingly revolve around a family dealing with love, hate, and dynamics of the past that in some way haunt them in their present and will affect the future. The teasers are thrilling, intriguing, and a bit spooky as well.
The Cast Of Wehem
One of the major points that is making us anxious about the play, is definitely the ensemble cast. Wehem stars Kinza Hashmi opposite Zaviyar Naumaan Ejaz. The cast also includes powerhouse performers Savera Nadeem, Babar Ali, and Shamim Hilaly along with Adnan Samad Khan of ‘Fraud’ and ‘Ehd e Wafa’.
Verdict So Far
HUM TV has launched the teasers of upcoming drama ‘Wehem,’ and these teasers are already making us anticipate the promising show. We can’t wait to see if it lives upto the hype, diving deep into a web of mystery and intrigue. What’s your take on the teasers? Let us know.
The trailer for Zarrar is here and it is filled to the brim with numerous details that deserve massive appreciation.
Contextualizing Zarrar
The word “revival” gets thrown around quite a bit in relation to Pakistani cinema, with the emotional weight it carries managing to leverage some form of support for the same.
However, with many promising releases in 2022 alone, in a world that is still healing from a global pandemic, much of the content speaks for itself and stands on its own feet. Zarrar is another film in the line of many that promises larger-than-life entertainment with a message in a way that may have audiences flocking to cinemas yet again.
Zarrar: Cast And Crew
Zarrar marks the long-awaited comeback of one of Pakistan’s most notable actors: Shaan Shahid. Having written and directed the film, Zarrar follows the journey of Shaan as the protagonist, with Nadeem Baig, Adnan Butt, Nayyar Ejaz, and Kiran Malik also featuring in the film.
Regarding the conceptualization, Adnan Butt is reported to have come up with the original concept, with Shaan really digging in deep to refine and finally put forth the project. It is being produced under the banner of Jehan Films.
The Cinematography
The best way to summarize the trailer would be to term it as being grand. The cinematography is exceptionally brilliant, with every frame boasting of breathtaking shots. There is one helicopter shot that is almost reminiscent of Shah Rukh Khan’s descent in Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, and you know what? It works. More than anything else, it is the way the film is shot and has been graded that will blow one away.
Shaan Shahid In Zarrar
One would be remiss if Shaan Shahid was not talked about in the trailer. It is evident that he has put in the work to look the part of a rogue spy hell-bent on protecting his motherland, and his action sequences are well-choreographed, creative, and performed skillfully as well. There’s no way around saying this: Shaan looks great.
Zarrar: Thematic Elements
Zarrar touches upon themes of patriotism, nationalism, and defending one’s homeland. One may even go as far as to say that, perhaps, elements of a local hero standing up against foreign powers, are present, making it a politically relevant venture as well. While little can be decisively deduced, these thematic elements might urge the more patriotic factions within the audience to frequent cinemas, cheering for their hero.
Verdict So Far
While the jury is still out on how Zarrar will fare as a film, it is safe to say that the trailer will create quite a stir amongst fans, owing to its timely relevance and overall look and feel.
The film also poses many important questions that become points over which one can ponder, such as, “How much suffering will it take for us to become a nation?” These are pertinent queries, and we hope that this English-Urdu hybrid film answers them with its eventual release.
Geo Entertainment is on a spree of showcasing quality content. So far we have seen, Mere Humnasheen, Chauraha, Saaya 2, and now, Zakham has joined the race. What’s commendable are the completely different genres that are keeping viewers invested. Zakham is a refreshing addition to the list. Revolving around love, respect, and trust, Zakham depicts a complex web of relationships.
Zakham: Cast And Makers
Zakham has been written by Rida Bilal, directed by Syed Ramish Rizvi, and features Aagha Ali, Sehar Khan, Azfar Rehman and Sidra Niazi in pivotal roles. It is bankrolled by Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi of 7th Sky Entertainment and airs daily at 9 PM on Geo Entertainment.
The Plot
The first episode of Zakham opens well. The director at once introduces his lead actors Areej, (Sehar Khan) an obedient young girl living with her father Arif (Waseem Abbas), stepmother Seema (Sana Fakhar) and sister. Areej’s mother passed away during her childhood, and since then, she has been quietly dealing with the rude behavior of her stepmother. Areej loves to paint, aims to study, and be independent in life.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn as Sikander (Aagha Ali) enters the frame: an arrogant, insensitive, and self-centered rich man who eyes Areej at an exhibition. He is bowled over by her beauty and goes all out to get her. Arif, who works at Sikander’s company, is being trapped with a fake scheme by giving him money on interest with a commitment of double profit.
The promo of the next episode hints at more twists, turns and trouble. Another track features Affan (Azfar Rehman), a caring son to his mother, Sauleha (Rubina Ashraf).
What’s Good In Zakham?
A round of applause for the director who takes his time in establishing the narrative without being in a rush. We get time to know the characters and their world. The pacing is just right – one doesn’t feel impatient by unnecessarily long sequences. Towards the end of the episode, we are intrigued by the characters and are anxious to know the proceedings.
The Performances
Aagha Ali gets the opportunity to display histrionics and he does it with a complete understanding of the character. Viewers find themselves hating Sikander and that’s a triumph for any actor. Sehar Khan, too, delivers a fine performance. One can witness the raw and real emotions behind her demeanor. Sana Fakhar leaves a strong mark as the vicious stepmother. Waseem Abbas is adequate. Nazish Jahangir is yet to make an appearance.
Summing Up
Zakham looks promising thus far. The plot, along with good performances, has the potential to fetch viewership. A good start, indeed!
The London Nahi Jaunga trailer is here, and it already looks like the star-studded affair is going to be quite the watch. The initial poster, that features Humayun Saeed mounted upon a horse, had already begun generating a ton of buzz, and with ARY Digital dropping the trailer, the conversation will, undoubtedly, pick up further.
The Cast
With the evergreen Humayun Saeed as the lead hero, and Mehwish Hayat and Kubra Khan starring opposite him, the film has already created quite an interesting dynamic, as far as the main trio is concerned. Apart from them, the film also stars Sohail Ahmed, Saba Faisal, Gohar Rasheed, and Iffat Omar.
London Nahi Jaunga: The Storyline
From what one can tell by watching the trailer, the plot touches upon thematic elements of love, entanglements, marriage, and dealing with commitments within various spheres of one’s life.
The Trailer
Humayun Saeed plays a man reluctant to get married, especially to a Pakistani woman. We see shots of him looking absolutely dapper throughout. Kubra Khan plays a woman who seems to be in love with Humayun’s character, and her culturally conforming character is a stark contrast to Mehwish Hayat’s, who plays a modern, bold, no-holds-barred woman.
Hilariously, the trailer shows Humayun’s character taking an oath, promising that he will never go to London, with the next few shots displaying a montage of London, and him maneuvering his way through the new space.
Drama, fight sequences, intense chemistry, and familial conflicts – all of these elements embellish the London Nahi Jaunga trailer, making it a masala-filled entertainer from the get-go.
London Nahi Jaunga Trailer: Verdict So Far
We love a good entertainer, and London Nahi Jaunga promises just that – pure entertainment. With an immensely engaging trailer that invokes anticipation, we’re excited for the film to hit the big screen on Eid ul Azha.
The hype created by Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamli has spread in a phenomenal way, with the Saba Qamar-Hamza Khawaja starrer garnering a plethora of praises, while also creating a buzz at the box office.
Kamli: Box Office Collection
The film has amassed the following collection thus far:
Day 1 – Friday: 32 lacs
Day 2 – Saturday: 44 lacs
Day 3 – Sunday: 42 lacs
Day 4 – Monday: 23 lacs
Day 5 – Tuesday: 21 lacs
Day 6 – Wednesday: 22 lacs
Day 7 – Thursday: 21 lacs
Total: 2.05 crores
Analysis
Given that the Khoosat Films venture has been making waves with immense word-of-mouth buzz, the consistency in the numbers, even on weekdays, hints at sustained interest on part of the audience.
Not only does this come as a refreshing surprise – it also doubles as a benchmark of sorts for all content that is deemed to be niche, showcasing that in a world that is struggling with numerous crises, if one makes content the star of the show, results follow.
What is your take on Kamli and its box office collection? Let us know in the comments.
After an impactful portrayal of her characters Sameen and Dilnasheen, Hiba Bukhari is now presented as Sharmeen in HUM TV’s latest drama serial ‘Pehchaan’. The first episode aired last night and viewers are quite impressed with the story and execution.
The Cast
The cast of the project includes Syed Jibran, Mirza Zain Baig, Nadia Khan, along with veterans Qavi Khan, Mohemmed Ahmed, Huma Nawab, and Sajida Syed.
The Story
Sharmeen, aka Kuki, and Adnan shifted to Turkey after their marriage 13 years ago. The couple has two children and the family of four apparently lives a happy life.
However things are not how they seem to be on the surface. Kuki gets to know about her husband’s affair, and soon, she realises that her life has only been limited to house chores.
She decides to leave the country, returning to Pakistan, where she cuts off her family and in-laws. Will she be able to start a new journey? Or will Junaid manage to convince Kuki to return?
Pehchaan: The First Episode
Apart from a powerful and promising storyline, the first episode did set a strong fundament for the show with an element of mystery around Kuki and Adnan’s married life and their respective family issues in Pakistan. The direction done by Asad Jabal is good, and justifies the set-up in two different countries, despite the drama being shot in Pakistan.
There is also a strong representation of married couples of different ages and backgrounds, and how they try to balance their relationships at respective points in life. The introductory scene shows Kuki’s early adulthood, where she is seen as a chirpy girl, with a potential angle with her friend’s brother, Azeez played by Mirza Zain Baig.
The Performances
Hiba Bukhari stuns audiences with a beautiful performance in ‘Pehchaan’. The transition from a lively young girl, to a depressed married woman in her late 30s, is phenomenal. All the veterans are undoubtedly at their best and a proper margin of performance is given to them. The chemistry between Qavi Khan and Huma Nawab, and Sajida Syed and Mohammed Ahmed is engaging and even heartwarming.
Pehchaan: Verdict So Far
HUM TV’s ‘Pehchaan’ started off well last night with a powerful first episode that grips your attention, alongside strong performances and a typical, yet engaging storyline.
The Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad trailer just dropped, and boy – it’s a massive, entertainment-packed punch, with a vital social message.
The Storyline
What happens when you combine the dapper and quick-witted Fahad Mustafa as a morally askew (and devilishly handsome) cop, with the beautiful Mahira Khan as a strong, social activist? Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza have the answer. If the trailer is to be believed, magic is created on-screen.
With a dizzying array of twists, turns, and mind-boggling stunts, the Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad trailer sends a clear-cut message: bring on the challenge, we’re here to stay.
The VFX In Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
As is evident from the trailer, the film relies greatly on VFX, which can be a bit of a gamble. However, not only does the VFX work, but it elevates the quality of the trailer in a way that pushes all the right buttons.
Explosions, flying bikes, an airplane fight – this film has it all. Talk about putting a huge budget to great use.
The Cast
In the fast-paced trailer, we catch glimpses of the two leads who look stunning individually, but also have a spark that has long remain untapped, only for it to be unleashed in this film.
Javed Sheikh can be seen playing, as Nabeel Qureshi stated at the trailer launch, “a Sindhi constable.” Nayyar Ejaz seems to play a pivotal role as well, and we see glimpses of Mehmood Aslam in the trailer too.
Taking a minor risk of sounding biased, one notable statement must be made: whatever work Fahad Mustafa has put in for the film – it shows – and that cannot be emphasized upon enough. From his physique that aids in him looking the part, to the seemingly seamless dedication to the stunts – the ace actor has gone the extra mile, and for that, he must be applauded.
The Message In Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad
The film centers its plot around corruption – a topic that is not only extremely relevant, but also one that has become pertinent to address. While the makers maintain that there is no political stance being taken in relation to real life events, the presence of a lion in the trailer cannot go unnoticed.
For its undoubtedly brave portrayal of a country that is neck-deep amidst numerous crises due to corruption at every level, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, thus, becomes an important watch from the get-go.
The Verdict
For cinema-goers who have been waiting to have their masala quotient satiated, while also consuming content that is intelligent and delivers a message: look no further. Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, with its release on Eid ul Azha, will surely win hearts, and leave audiences with food for thought.
The Saba Qamar-Hamza Khawaja starrer Kamli has been waking waves with immense word-of-mouth buzz, and Sarmad Khoosat has every reason to be the very picture of beaming pride, especially when glancing at the box office numbers.
The Khoosat Films venture has received a vast array of glowing reviews, and its day one collection hinted at an upwards trajectory. Now, the film that has been touted by many to be one of the standout films that the country has produced, is pacing forward as more and more people flock to cinemas to see what the hype is about.
Box Office Collection: Kamli
Kamli, despite its niche content, has amassed the following collection:
Day 1 (Friday): 32 lacs
Day 2 (Saturday): 44 lacs
Day 3 (Sunday) : 42 lacs
Total: 1.18 crore
Comparison
As a comparative measure, Tom Cruise’s 2022 release, Top Gun: Maverick, which hit cinemas on 27th May, has raked in 8.08 crores in its nearly two-week run.
Analysis
Given that this is just the first weekend collection, all eyes are definitely on Kamli. Questions regarding its continued successful run have begun sprouting, and, for numerous reasons, the film has become a content benchmark for future releases.
It has also, in many ways, proven that in a world where audiences have consumed intelligent, previously labeled “niche” content online, preferences may have altered, and those altered preferences result in tickets being bought, even during these financially difficult times.
Despite the fact that Kamli was not a mainstream masala release, the splash that is made has caused a noticeable displacement. With hawk-eyed glances fixed upon the film and its future business, we wish the team well, and hope for the absolute best.
Have you seen the film? What are your thoughts on Kamli? Let us know in the comments.
When it started off, Angna didn’t strike a good chord with the audience, especially after the Ali Abbas controversy, where his character was seen slapping his wife out of sheer fear of his mother. However, after that one slip, Angna not only picked up its pace, but made us realize that this was a remarkable effort on part of the producers, the director, the writer, and of course, the actors.
Angna: The Story
Angna narrated the story of four sisters belonging to an upper-class family. Until now, we have seen dramas where parents of women are under pressure from society, but here, we had two strong parents in Azhar and Zeba, who would go to any extreme to support their daughters. Moreover, Azhar’s mother, and the grandmother too, were also great women – farsighted, but also very protective.
Through the story of these four daughters, Angna, brought across various subplots that dealt with marriage after being widowed, coming out of a toxic relationship, taking a stand against an abusive marriage, and also how to deal with a person suffering from childhood trauma.
The Tales Of The Daughters
Each daughter portrayed her own story and brought across a sensitive subject, which is hardly dealt with openly in our society. For Abeeha, widowed at a very young age, and suffering from one mishap after another, we loved how she and her family beamed with positivity. We also saw how Abeeha was cherished by her in-laws, even after her husband passed away, and continued to live with them and support them, as their own son would.
For Aiza, thrown into a toxic marriage, where her husband was already married, we saw how supportive her in-laws would be, and how her parents brought her back home and were ready for any decision she wanted to take. Sadly, Aiza’s story was shortlived as she died in an accident following a reconciliation with her husband. However, we did love the fact that Aiza was not pressurized by her parents to accept her husband’s first wife and move back in with him.
Eshal, with her toxic mother-in-law and her inability to bear children, found a supportive husband, who went to extremes for her. Yes, Eshal’s husband slapped her once out of sheer fear of his mother, but the abuse stopped there and then. Zain gradually started to stand up to his mother and favoured his wife over anything else. He tried to create a balance between his mother and wife. However, the mother was toxic and he found it best to move out, rather than being affected. This subplot dealt with childhood trauma and therapy very well, and addressed issues which have been neglected thus far.
Last, but not the least, we had Nayyab who took a stand for herself and extracted herself out of a toxic marriage where she was being used for her money. We loved how Nayyab stood strong and did not cave in under any pressure, did not accept any apology, and continued to own her yet-to-be born child herself.
However, in all of thus, audiences felt that certain loose ends were left behind, and a tighter closure could have been provided to the storylines of some of the sisters.
Angna: The Treatment
Angna brought forth the story of four powerful women with their extremely supportive parents. Not once did the drama show the family pressurizing their daughters for anything at all – a rarity in times like today. Maybe this portrayal is a little far from the truth, but something we all ought to see in times like today. We were glad that the channel did not focus on the negativity, but more on spreading positivity through their drama.
The Team
Direction by Tahseen Khan and Saqib Zafar was on point – nothing more, nothing less. Angna didn’t have any dragged moments and each and every plot/arc was handled and wound up with perfect timing. Kudos to the writer, Samina Ejaz for that as well.
Since Angna had an ensemble cast, it is hard to name each and every actor, but Ali Abbas deserves applause for his portrayal as Zain, as does Rubina Ashraf as Saira. Negative characters, especially those inducing trauma and those being traumatised are hard to play onscreen, and both Ali Abbas and Rubina Ashraf did a remarkable job. Laiba Khan as Nayyab looked absolutely beautiful. Rabab Hashim, Areeba Habib, Atiqa Odho, Gul E Rana, Kanwal Khan – each and every actor was aptly cast and delivered outstanding performances.
The Verdict
Angna was the type of drama to create a hype like major television serials. However, this daily soap wasn’t your run of the mill story and brought about a new, and refreshing change on our screens. Kudos to the makers for that.
Edward Munch was a 19th century Norwegian painter, widely known for one of his spectacular artworks titled, “The Sick Child.”
A Small History Lesson
The painting depicts his elder sister about to die of tuberculosis, in obvious pain, with a haunted expression. She is accompanied by a grief-stricken older woman, clutching her hands, looking towards an ominous curtain, likely intended as a symbol of death.
The older woman seems to want to comfort the dying child but her bowed head symbolises that she cannot bear to watch the traumatic ordeal. This symbolic depiction of such a close, personal experience became one of Munch’s most widely known works, and still inspires many artists.
Sarmad Khoosat And His Art
Sarmad Khoosat, in his long-awaited, big screen directorial comeback, Kamli, employs similar symbolic tools with lyricism to portray the traumatic journeys of his characters in an extremely effective way. What transpires on the big screen is a true work of both impressionist and expressionist work of art, that may leave you heartbroken and shaken, yet amused, when you leave the cinema.
The Story
Kamli follows a rather simple storyline where a young woman Hina (Saba Qamar) lives with her sister-in-law Sakina (Sania Saeed) waiting for the former’s husband, Saqlain, to return home, after he has been missing for several years. Hina, along with many women, is working as a painting model for an artist played by Nimra Bucha whose own marital life with her husband Malik (Omair Rana) is struggling, owing to many reasons.
Thus enters into Hina’s life, a mysterious, handsome man named Amaltas (played by debutant Hamza Khawaja) who sets the events into motion. On the apparent, it seems that Hina is to choose a life with her new found love over her wait for her long, missing husband, but there is far more to this simple storyline, which you need to see on the big screen to unfold. And trust us, you won’t regret it.
Kamli: The Highs
Amongst the many strengths of Kamli, its tightly written screenplay and dialogues strike you first. Despite being simple in its first half, it maintains your attention and keeps you hooked by intelligently employing the sensuous tension between the lead cast. There are so many symbols and nuances of lyricism that almost every scene possesses. Even the characters are designed in such a way that helps efficiently convey the turmoil of one, or another related character.
An example being Sakina’s character: she is intentionally shown to be blind to depict that although she’s doing all the house chores, teaching Quran to children, and senses whenever Hina is at the door, she can’t see the agony of her sister-in-law who is living a painfully lonesome life. The use of different animals, dried flowers, water, rain, fire, and even the rural locales carry meaning in the narrative and make it impactful and poetic.
Praising The Writer
Writer Fatimah Sattar deserves applause for constructing a crisp screenplay based on a simple storyline. This effective screenplay, thankfully falls in the hands of an artful director who paints a colorfully vivid canvas, with all its subtle hints and symbols.
There is commentary on religion, society, love, human nature, and relationships, in all its delicately exquisite ways that only a few people like Sarmad Khoosat could do justice to.
Applause For The Kamli Cast
Apart from directing the film in a compact manner, Sarmad’s biggest strength becomes the star cast. Sania Saeed as the controlling, yet escapist matriarch steals the show, closely accompanied by the super talented Saba Qamar. Saba proves herself as a versatile actor with a wide range, and her character in Kamli is a 180 degree turn from her commercial Eid hit, Ghabrana Nahi Hai.
It’s extremely refreshing to see an actor playing a restrained, meek, and seemingly fragile person on-screen, who is an altogether different person to what you have seen previously. With Kamli, Saba will have surely silenced a handful of people who described her work as monotonous and unidimensional.
As for Sania Saeed, the veteran actor’s mannerisms and expressions are itself a case study for young actors, to learn the art of acting. Nimra Bucha playing a painter, who is dissatisfied both with her work and marital life, is another character whose pain and tragedy you can feel.
Debutant Hamza Khawaja plays Hina’s mysterious lover, and isn’t, understandably, given many dialogues. Yet, with his earthy looks and attenuated expressions, he impresses the audience within the space he’s been given.
The Music
Kamli’s narrative is aptly accentuated with the appropriate presence of a soulful and effective soundtrack. The intensity and light-heartedness of the sequences is conveyed masterfully with music created by the talented team of Saad Sultan, Zeb Bangash, Atif Aslam, and Zenab Fatima Sultan, amongst others. ‘Mainu Tu’ in Reshma’s voice deserves a special mention.
The Visual Appeal Of Kamli
As could be seen from the trailer, Kamli promised to be a visual delight, and the film delivers the promise with its lush visuals, shot by cinematographer Owais Gohar. Shot extensively in Soon valley, the wild settings serve the purpose of the narrative quite well by communicating the passion, eagerness, and agony of the main characters.
The Verdict
Kamli is a film for people who understand symbolism and lyricism. Despite being a simple storyline, it has its own layers, and the last twenty minutes are surely going to blow your mind away. It will ensue a discourse on how things unfolded in the end, and will leave you heartbroken, feeling the pain of the lead characters.
Despite its nuances and intelligent filmmaking, Kamli might not appeal to a wider audience – especially those who love escapist, massy entertainers. It’s not a flashy, ornate, song and dance extravaganza for which cinema of the subcontinent is known. Rather, it represents the parallel cinema that relies on fresh and stylistic depictions of the story. It’s a serious and dark film that relies on artistic expressions, and high-octane performances. For this unique standpoint, Kamli deserves a watch in cinema.
