The UAE on Waar: Technically good, message, not so much

The official Facebook page of Waar has more than 200,000 likes and says the film is inspired by true events.

Since its October 16 release, Waar has earned itself both local and international acclaim. Bilal Lashari’s action-packed offering illustrates Pakistan’s rocky relationship with neighbouring India. The film, which was recently released in the UAE, has emphasised the harsh reality of the ongoing war against terror in the country. Opinions on the movie varied, as relations between Pakistanis and Indians, who live abroad, are quite amicable in most cases.

Pakistani business analyst Zaid Ahmed, 23, who lives in Dubai, said: “The movie is a bit biased against India. But I’m proud of Pakistan for reviving its film industry. I really enjoyed the movie,” according to 7 Days, a UAE-based newspaper.

Conversely, 24 year-old Indian Viraj Mehta, currently residing in Dubai, said: “Movies like this will not be understood by South Asians in the UAE because Pakistanis and Indians grow up here together in a friendly manner.”

Dubai resident Khadija Syed, from Pakistan, said: “It is the best movie Pakistan has ever shot, but movies like this create difficulties in maintaining peace between the countries. Bollywood has also made controversial films about India and Pakistan, but I don’t think it helps to resolve anything.”

The official Facebook page of Waar has more than 200,000 likes and says the film is inspired by true events. Pakistani Dubai resident Farhan Chaudhry commented on the page: “Thanks Bilal Lashari for showing the reality behind some of the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and that the govern¬ment is still reluctant to take the issue to the UN.”

Dubai-based Pakistani expat Farhatus Saba said the relationship depicted between India and Pakistan is saddening. “The governments are to blame. If you look at the Indians and Pakistanis living abroad, they are friendly with each other. I’m happy that the Pakistani film industry is improving, but I also hope the relations between these two countries improve.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2013.

JALAIBEE Trailer Releasing on 25th December 2013 (Article)

Yasir Jaswal, under the production label, REDRUM Films in association with Jaswal Films and Sarmad Films is directing a first of its kind feature film of Pakistan known as “Jalaibee”.

‘Jalaibee’ is the intertwined stories of numerous relatable characters that are all struggling with their problems and means of dealing with them, and somehow connect on a unifying level.

Written and directed by Yasir Jaswal, the movie boasts a young, star-studded cast that includes the charismatic Adnan Jaffar, energy power-house and RJ Ali Safina, TV superstar Danish Taimoor, theater actor and singing sensation Uzair Jaswal, VJ, model and International heart-throb Wiqar Ali khan, and the gorgeous TV and ramp sensation Zhalay Sarhadi.

The teaser trailer for ‘Jalaibee’ is being released on December 25th, 2013, on the movie’s official Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/jalaibeethefilm

Jalaibee is the first ever Pakistani film to be shot on the state-of-the-art ARRI Alexa HD camera; the same camera that was used to shoot recent blockbusters like Gravity, Skyfall, and Ironman 3.

Jaswal focuses on enticing the audiences with stylized eye-pleasing visuals, powerful sound design, engaging dialogue and great contemporary music. With Yasir Jaswal’s musical background, audiences can expect ‘Jalaibee’ to be accompanied by a brilliant contemporary soundtrack that features about 10 tracks from artists such as Qayyas, Uzair Jaswal and Humaira Arshad to name a few.

‘Jalaibee’ is rumored to release in summer of 2014 and will not only play in all major cinemas across Pakistan but the producers are also in talks with international distributors for a simultaneous international release in the US, UK and UAE.

Syed Noor announces new venture 'Bhai Wanted'

Pakistani film-maker Syed Noor is all set to make his new film Bhai Wanted. Speaking at an event organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) at its office in the Karachi Press Club, he shared that his film will attempt to highlight Pakistan’s beauty and that Karachi is indeed the city of lights. He proclaimed that the film will be shot entirely in Karachi. “The film industry will see its rise again from Karachi [as it did in the past],” he said. 

Noor stated the location for Bhai Wanted has been scouted and that the film’s cast will include renowned senior artistes. The film-maker said his film will feature newcomers as well since he feels that Pakistan is brimming with fresh talent.

Given that Pakistanis are developing an inclination toward local cinema, Noor feels that the film industry is on the edge of resurgence. However, he said the process of revival may take some time due to lack of required facilities.

We wish Noor the best for his upcoming venture!

Bilal Lashari to remake Maula Jatt with Multi-Million Dollar Budget

Bilal Lashari, the director of Pakistan’s highest grossing movie Waar, has finally revealed his next project which is actually a remake of Lollywood’s Classic movie Maula Jatt.

While talking to Express Tribune, Lashari told, “This will be my take on Gandasa films which are blamed for the death of Lollywood. I think the Gandasa genre was a missed opportunity for Pakistani cinema, and what better choice to utilise it then by paying homage to the cult classic Maula Jatt.”

According to the director, the new version of Maula Jatt has already been in its pre production phase for last seven months. Surprisingly, the remake of Maula Jatt is also having a budget of millions of dollars which will ensure the production is high notch and as good as his previous movie Waar. Furthermore, he told that the film will be co-produced by an American production house, the name of which can’t be revealed right now.

Expressing his vision of the new project, Lashari said, “My version of Maula Jatt will be a visual epic, with less dialogue and many captivating moments. It will be a dark but stylised take on Pakistan’s original film genre.”

The remake of Maula Jatt will be made in Punjabi language and the rights for the same have already been acquired. Currently, Bilal Lashari is looking for fresh faces and actors from Pakistan while the option of having some Bollywood stars is also on the table.

We wish him best of luck for his new venture and even though it looks riskier but we have complete faith on the capabilities of this talented director.

Way to go Bilal! Make us proud once again