KARACHI: The last couple of years have been terribly suffocating for cine-goers. The pandemic did not permit those who run multiplexes and single screens all across the world to show films. It was understandable but depressing. It hurt film industries, as it affected all other businesses, with debilitating effects.

Film business in Pakistan, compared to its neighbouring countries, isn’t one that rakes in oodles of money in quick time. Still, it displays some awe-inspiring talent and fetches reasonable commercial success for the producers. Thankfully, the lockdown days are over. At least, that’s the case for now. As a result, no fewer than five Pakistani films will be released on this Eidul Fitr.

They are: Dum Mastam (directed by Ehteshamuddin), Parde Mein Rehne Do (Wajahat Rauf), Chakkar (Yasir Nawaz), Ghabrana Nahi Hai (Saqib Khan) and the Punjabi film Terey Bajre Di Raakhi (Syed Noor).

Dum Mastam has Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan as the story’s protagonists, and is dubbed a musical rom-com. Its maker Ehteshamuddin is one of the most respected directors in the industry primarily because he works hard on the script and knows the importance of language. Therefore, every time he comes up with something new, expectations run high.

Four Urdu and one Punjabi films to hit screens on Eid

Parde Mein Rehne Do is another rom-com. Given the success ratio of its director Wajahat Rauf (Karachi Se Lahore, Lahore Se Aagey), which is pretty good, it is likely that the movie will give a tough time to its counterparts. It stars Ali Rehman, Hania Aamir and Javed Sheikh.

Yasir Nawaz is known for coming up with rib-tickling comedic stories both for television and cinema. Apart from the comedy quotient, Chakkar, with Neelam Munir and Ahsan Khan as its lead actors, also has suspenseful moments.

Ghabrana Nahin Hai stars Saba Qamar and Zahid Ahmed. Its story focuses on a love triangle and is said to be ‘action-packed’.

Syed Noor is a veteran of Pakistan’s film fraternity. It is after a while that he has come out with a Punjabi film with a cast that comprises some new faces (Jannat Mirza and Abdullah Khan) and some familiar names (Saima, Shafqat Cheema, Iftikhar Thakur).

If news reports are anything to go by, the film is an emotional drama. It’s a welcome sign because ever since a new breed of film-makers have arrived and made their presence felt in the past decade or so, the industry’s old guard appeared to have taken a back seat.

Published in Dawn,May 3rd, 2022