Once upon a time, leading actors, directors, and technical crew members often used to complain about the lack of reinvestment by film producers and other influential stakeholders in the exhibition sector back into the Lahore film industry of yore. Even the most prominent studios that profited substantially from film business were hesitant to invest back in technology, human capital, and most importantly, films, to get the industry back on track.
Infusing new blood
Fortunately, that is the case no more. In what is a notable positive development at a crucial juncture for the domestic film business, filmmakers Hassan Zia and Jamil Baig – the duo producing the upcoming Saba Qamar – Zahid Ahmed comedy “Ghabrana Nahi Hai” will be launching multiple projects this year. Intrigued, we got in touch with Hassan Zia to learn more about the development. “I am fortunate that with Jamil Baig saheb’s JB Films I have finally found a team that shares my vision and which seriously desires to take the film business forward,” stated the “Wrong No. 2″ producer. “We want to produce films that introduce multiple new directors and other technical crew members into the film business so that they can take hold of the film business because right now we need new blood in the film industry.”
Director and writer of Pyar Ke Sadqay on board
With that goal in mind, the duo plan on putting at least two projects in motion this year. And they have snagged none other than the super-successful Pyar Ke Sadqay’s director and writer for a romantic film titled Sorry Darling. “Farooq Rind is a seasoned director and we have him on board to direct Sorry Darling while writer Zanjabeel Asim Shah (who has penned Balaa, Cheekh, and Pyar Ke Sadqay) will be handling the script.” The film will be a true-blue romantic drama and with its pre-production in progress, will go on floors in September. As far as the cast is concerned, the film’s team will be making a formal announcement shortly.
Director Azfar Ali to formally step into filmdom
Another project, titled Sautela will be helmed by Azfar Ali, who has directed numerous music videos and telefilms (a notable one being Daira, which he co-directed). The film belongs to the social-drama genre, which will be addressing issues faced by today’s youth and students who study in universities, according to Zia. “The title is a comment on the society – the plot most definitely does not involve a stepchild scenario,” he clarified, explaining that the picture is currently in its scripting process (screenplay by Azfar Ali with Mohsin Ali handling the writing) and will be going on floors in March.
With some of the industry’s most influential stakeholders reaffirming their faith in the domestic film business, it should hopefully not be too long before the rest of the players catch up and look past the Covid-19 induced slumber. We at PakistaniCinema will be following these projects closely, so stay tuned for the latest on “Sorry Darling” and “Sautela”.
