LAHORE, Oct 11: The much-awaited Pakistani bilingual action film Waar, featuring an unconventional cast with live bombs, real gunship helicopters and other modern warfare techniques, is set to hit cinemas across the country on Eidul Azha.

The film, directed by Bilal Lashari and written and produced by Hasan Waqas Rana, has been shot in Lahore, Islamabad and Swat. Based on the war against terrorism in Pakistan, it is being called the most expensive feature film in the history of Pakistan with a budget of Rs200 million.

Promos of the film on the Internet have had around a million hits already as the team has worked extensively on its marketing.

Kamran Lashari, the father of Bilal Lashari who has also acted in the film, told Dawn that the film would bring a revolution in the film industry because of the use of the latest technology.

He claimed Waar is not a traditional film with the “hero and heroine running around trees”. It is an action-packed movie, with Shaan, Meesha Shafi, Ali Azmat, Shamoon Abbasi and Ayesha Omar among others as cast members.

Waar is expected to play a vital role in revival of cinema in Pakistan. Film circles believe such a heavy-budget movie with the usage of gunship helicopters, modern weaponry and the latest techniques would be a feather in the cap of the film industry. The film is being released with around 30 to 35 prints.

Waar was earlier scheduled for release on Sept 6.

According to sources, a press briefing would be organised by the film’s team before its release.