KARACHI: Fashionably, the trailer for an upcoming film Chupan Chupai directed by Mohsin Ali started more than an hour late on Wednesday at a local multiplex. The red carpet activity had already begun when senior artists Talat Husain and Rehan Sheikh arrived before their younger colleagues. The cameras were focused on them and they responded to the media’s request for a shoot or a comment like true professionals.

But the buzz became louder when the male and female lead of the film, Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer, came. “I’m very excited,” Neelam enthused. She sure was.

The media stepped into the cinema hall at 9.30pm; the cast and crew of Chupan Chupai followed. The trailer was shown, twice. It’s become a bit of a regular thing these days that trailers are run at least two times, perhaps because they’re of a shorter duration and the event has to stretch for a considerable time in order for it to be called an event.

After that the producers, director and cast of the project were invited for a Q&A.

Giving his reasons for doing the film Ahsan Khan said individuals belonging to the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) were involved in it [director, a producer and a few actors]. The producers were “determined” about the movie when they first approached him. “Usually we get scripts and we take time reading [them]. When I started reading the script for Chupan Chupai I enjoyed it and wanted to finish it instantly. I felt the story that they are telling hasn’t been told on the silver screen before. Yes, its genre [comedy] could be compared to some other films. But the message is important — it talks about unemployed young boys who try and find ways to earn money.”

Neelam echoed Ahsan’s comments saying she found the script worthwhile and always wanted to do a character like the one she’s played.

Talat Husain, who teaches at Napa as well, said although the film was very entertaining, it touched upon an extremely serious subject. “All your [Pakistanis’] follies will unfold before you in a lively, funny atmosphere. You will recognise them, but won’t mind it. You will rather accept them.”

Husain added he had done 12 films in Pakistan. In the past the issue of discipline would bother him, so he became picky. “Watching these young people I feel so happy … they are my students.”

Sakina Samo said what she liked about the film was “people will relate to it.” She told the media the director Mohsin was a humble man, and Ray Khan and Zayed Sheikh were good producers.

Faizan Khawaja was asked where he was lately because he hadn’t been seen in TV dramas. He answered he was doing a film in India titled Bankster which had taken a year of his life. On the difference between working in an Indian film and a Pakistani movie he said there’s no difference, and it varied from production to production.

Chupan Chupai will release on Dec 29.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2017