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LAHORE: Six films – three Urdu and as many Punjabi – were released in various cinemas here on Eidul Fitr.
According to entertainment circles, Indian film ‘Bodyguard’ starring Salman Khan and Karina Kapoor remained top of the list as the movie directed by Siddique and produced by Atul Agnihotri roped in large audiences. It also stars Raj Babbar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Hazel Keech in supporting roles.
The film’s theatrical trailer was unveiled on July 21. However, the movie was released on Aug 31 (Eidul Fitr) across 2,250 screens in 70 Indian cities and with 482 prints for overseas exhibition.
According to analysts, the film broke many records in India.
In Pakistan too, according to cinema fraternity, the flick has done a tremendous business though money collected from box office of all newly-released films will be disclosed after a week or so. Inside reports do indicate that Bodyguard is doing fantastic business.
The second film which did some good business at the box office was Urdu movie ‘Bhai Log’ directed by Faisal Bokhari.
According to producer Chauhdry Kamran, the film did a Rs800,000 business on the first day of Eid in one cinema of Lakshmi Chowk only.
Reema’s Urdu film ‘Love Mein Gum’ has done average business.
Among Punjabi films, Syed Noor’s ‘Jugni’ remained at the top. However, ‘Kafra’ and ‘Shah Murad’ directed by Saleem Murad and Pervaiz Rana, respectively, did not attract a large number of audiences.
Another Urdu film ‘Society Girl’ directed by Daud Butt also failed to woo crowds.
Though the local film industry is striving hard to make a comeback and trying its level best to get out of the clutches of worst-ever slump, it seems that the efforts haven’t borne fruit, especially in sheer competition with Indian films.
In ‘Jugni’, folk singer Arif Lohar has staged a comeback in acting career after a gap of 10 or so years. His last film as a singer and actor was ‘Zindagi’. Its cast includes Shan, Saima and Moamar Rana while music has been composed by M. Arshad
Similarly after over 10 years, such a film has been released on Eid (Bhai Log) in which Nadeem and Javed Sheikh both are appearing together. It also features an all-star cast, including Moamar Rana, Reema, Saima, Noor and Meera. Its music has been composed by M Arshad.
Sila Hussain and a fresh actor play lead roles in ‘Shah Murad’ while its music has been composed by Wajahat Atray.
Reema’s ‘Love Mein Gum’ cast includes Moamar Rana, Reema, an Azerbaijani girl Araida and a Pakistani young actor Nabeel.
Its music has been composed by different Pakistani and Indian composers.
