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Updated 17 Sep, 2015

If Jawani Phir Nahi Ani is the party film it is touted to be, then its title song is an outright mini-carnival.

The 13-member ensemble cast goes all out in the groovy rap number, glammed to the max (thanks to the collective efforts of Deepak Perwani and Humayun Alamgir).

The women's wardrobe was Deepak Perwani, while Humayun Alamgir dressed the men — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik
The women's wardrobe was Deepak Perwani, while Humayun Alamgir dressed the men — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik

They take turns leaping on a trampoline, Ismail Tara spins on a tawa as a throwback to 50/50 and Bushra Ansari's brought a rifle to the party. Leading ladies Mehwish Hyatt and Sohai Abro cavort in cages, and cosy up with main man Humayun Saeed on a leather couch. Hamza Ali Abbasi strips out of his jacket (ahem).

Ismail Tara brings a bit of 50/50 and Madam Noorjehan back — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik
Ismail Tara brings a bit of 50/50 and Madam Noorjehan back — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik

"The song will be a real treat for the audience," says the video director Adnan Malik of 'JPNA'. "They'll get to see Pakistan's top celebrities let loose in an unfiltered party environment."

Adnan, who's previously directed the music videos for 'My Punjabi Love For You' and most recently the Coca Cola World Cup song 'Phir Se Game Utha De', was roped in to call the shots for the title track, just days before the shoot.

The director with Mehwish Hayat and Humayun Saeed — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik
The director with Mehwish Hayat and Humayun Saeed — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik

"Five days before the shoot of this song, Humayun and Ahmed Ali Butt first talked to me about directing this video, and an hour later, I was in Humayun's office. I had no idea how we were going to shoot this song in five days, but it was the only date all 13 actors were available. So we shot it in two nights, and it was like a massive party."

Javed Sheikh having a ball on his Vespa scooter — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik
Javed Sheikh having a ball on his Vespa scooter — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik

There's fun and games aplenty in the song, but Adnan's also snuck in an element of gender subversion.

While the guys tell Mehwish Hayat and Sohai Abro to "nach, nach, nach ke dikha", soon it's the girls who throw the same words back to them. "This was very conscious decision on our part; we're wanted to subvert the male gaze this way," Adnan said.

Nach, nach, nach ke dikha! — Screengrabs
Nach, nach, nach ke dikha! — Screengrabs

The song, produced by Hasil Kureishi, sees Ahmed Ali Butt return to his rap origins, while Faiza Mujahid sings the female hook. It samples Madam Noorjehan's 'Mundeya Dupatta Chad Mera' from the Nadeem and Babra Sharif-starrer Mukhra, and Ahmed reminds us of the credit in a rap verse: "Sur sing kerti thi meri Nani!"

Ahmed Ali Butt returns to his rap origins in this song — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik
Ahmed Ali Butt returns to his rap origins in this song — Photo courtesy Adnan Malik

'JPNA' is meant to play in the end credits of the film, and Adnan has the opportunity to capitalise on the collective star power of celebrities, who've shed their character's skins and are just getting their party mode on. It's interesting to see how the presence of a guest director can really switch up a film's feel and aesthetic.

Like Adnan says, "The song is the Jawani Phir Nahi Ani amusement park ride!"

Comments

AV Houston Sep 17, 2015 12:04pm
Adnan Malik This guy looks so much like Justin Timberlake in the above picture
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joop Sep 17, 2015 12:33pm
perfect.... will be anxiously waiting this Eid:)
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Mehreen Sep 17, 2015 01:44pm
I like the song! Hamza: Get ready! (if you know what I mean)
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pakistani Sep 17, 2015 02:03pm
i simply love Ahmed Butt and will only watch it for him. i love you Ahmed Butt! love ur drama Mr. Shammi!
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Secular Pathan Sep 17, 2015 03:32pm
Not impressed, its a film for naive teenagers. We need to learn from Hollywood and even the new trends in Bollywood which are going for more "MEANINGFUL" movies.
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Hamid shafiq Sep 17, 2015 03:34pm
Indian copy
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Mian Kashif Mumtaz Sep 17, 2015 04:02pm
I cant believe this is looking a Pakistani movie. We should not blindly follow Bollywood style. We have our own values and culture.
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msh Sep 17, 2015 04:42pm
beautiful. Humayun Saeed has done a great job.
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INAM ULLAH KHAN Sep 17, 2015 07:10pm
@Mian Kashif Mumtaz adaaaab, i like just your comments ,,,,,,dude you are right "We should not dimly follow Bollywood style. We have our own values and culture."
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Shahid Sep 17, 2015 08:29pm
If this is not a rip off, what is? Its just that the guys don’t look like Shahrukh Khan and the women don’t look like Kareena Kapoor. Disappointing way to change our culture.
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Sharyaar Sep 17, 2015 08:58pm
This can't make a more ugly song than this one!
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Sharyaar Sep 17, 2015 09:00pm
@Shahid agree with you
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amirkhan0703 Sep 17, 2015 09:12pm
@Secular Pathan excatly...what is Hamzaad doing i here? I thought he was all against Bollywood type song and dance kind of masala stuff....oh! he has changed his mind now?
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amirkhan0703 Sep 17, 2015 09:13pm
@Mian Kashif Mumtaz waz wrong with Bollywood....? It is called entertainment...dude....
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amirkhan0703 Sep 17, 2015 09:16pm
@Shahid I told ya all.......Bollywood sells...and my dear Hamzaad was all against Bollywood type films but I guess it is OK if he is in it......if I look at his face one more time i can see he is just like all of them...give him a small roll in Bollywood...he will drop everything and go for it.....
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SHUMAILA KHAN Sep 18, 2015 12:07am
great efforts
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Rehan Sep 18, 2015 12:09am
Commenting only on the video of the song...it had its moments...there were portions you enjoy but I honestly feel they tried too much and tried too many things in 1 video and in 1 song... As far as the movie goes I have a feeling that it may be a similar to the Bollywood flicks- Masti n No Entry...even then I hope the movie turns out to be good...we all could use a good laugh
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Dr. Asad Sadick Sep 18, 2015 01:28am
Seeing the trailer and teaser will keep me and many away from this film. Will be ridiculous for sure and a copy of what the Indians make.
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Faraz Sep 18, 2015 02:22am
I left Pakistan 20 years ago, the Pakistan I remember is a bunch of classy intelligent people with a lot of original ideas. It seems like in the past 20 years they have all transformed into Indians with their corny habits and pathetic antics. Item numbers..... seriously?
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Sabina Kazmi Sep 18, 2015 03:09am
Loose up guys whats better than seeing a bunch of hotties strutting to a dance song, we need to let our hair down and have some fun and laugh we all take life too seriously if you dont like the film don't go sit at home and watch some illegal download film in the sole area of your house.
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Nawaz Khan Sep 18, 2015 07:07am
Very nice! Looks worth watching................
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Mehreen Sep 18, 2015 09:58am
@Faraz Oh please enough with your condescending tone. Expatriates always think Pakistan is going to the dogs. We are fine, an film song or two won't make us clones of Indians. GROW UP.
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Gillani Sep 20, 2015 07:55pm
Substandard movie.
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Harsha Subbaiah Sep 22, 2015 02:16pm
I'm sorry guys! Good try! Sucks! I know for glory a lot of supporters would go ape on this comment. But come on, it doesn't hit the spot does it!
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