KARACHI: It had rained on Tuesday afternoon. So, almost naturally in Karachi’s context, the traffic issue reared its head. But it didn’t deter the media or showbiz glitterati from rushing to a local multiplex for the premiere of the film Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) to be released on Eidul Azha. Of course, this time round, the late arrival of the cast and crew of the movie was forgivable: after all, the weather was inclement and it takes time to deck up.

The red carpet area was stuffy, though, and the heavy lights used by TV cameramen had made the atmosphere hot, the wrong way. Among the first to arrive, incidentally, was a politician, who initially looked a trifle perturbed because he couldn’t find his hosts. Then someone greeted him with an ingratiating smile and requested him to get to the red carpet, which he did.

Almost 90 minutes passed like that and then, suddenly, a hoo-ha attracted the attention of all and sundry. The cast of the film had arrived, with actor Ahmed Ali Butt leading the way chanting at the top of his lungs “Punjab Nahi Jaungi” (I will not go to Punjab). He seemed to be in a hurry because he kept saying ‘jaldi karein, jaldi karein’ (be quick) so that the film could be watched as soon as possible (despite the fact that he’s playing a sidekick in it, which means he is a pretty selfless guy). He also gathered all the actors in the movie for a group photo on the red carpet, and they listened to him like well-behaved children.

Talking to Dawn, the leading lady of PNJ Mehwish Hayat shed light on her role. “My character is of a girl called Amal who believes in family values. She has studied abroad but holds family values and culture important, and respects everything.”

Hayat said she’s getting good vibes from the film. As far as the competition with an­­other film Na Maloom Afraad 2 was concerned (which is going to hit the cinema screens the same day), she replied, “That’s also very good.”

Humayun Saeed plays the male lead. In response to a question he said he’d like everyone to watch Pakistani films on Eidul Azha. With regard to Na Maloom Afraad 2 he admitted that there was competition. “When two films are screened the same day, the competition is inevitable. But I have never taken my work as competition (iss kaam ko kabhi competition nahin samjha).”

Actress Sanam Saeed (who is not in the film and was there to support her showbiz community) was optimistic about PNJ’s reception because she believed Nadeem Beyg, the director of the film, had earlier ‘delivered’ with his film Jawani Phir Nahi Ani. She was pretty happy about the film industry as well. “I think the last two years we were in our baby steps, we were learning, experimenting. But now actors and directors have understood that the big screen is very different from the small screen.”

Once the red carpet ceremony was over, everyone moved to the cinema hall. It filled up in two shakes of a lamb’s tail. Those who came a bit late, including a TV actor, found it difficult to get a seat of their choosing. And then the film began.

Each first appearance on the screen of the principal actors — Humayun Saeed, Mehwish Hayat and Sohail Ahmed — was greeted with cheers. Funny lines were received with laughter and important moments with clapping, such as the one where Fawad (Humayun Saeed) outwits Wasay (Azfar Rehman) in a scene in which both are trying to show how much they love Amal.

It surprised the audience a wee bit when the house lights were turned on at intermission, suggesting there was a break and they could step out of the theatre for a while. Most of them didn’t want to do that, which means the movie was entertaining enough for them to have them glued to their seats.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2017