Pakistani cinema has seen a surge in terms of business over the last couple of years with commercial films like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and its sequel, Na Maloom Afraad and its respective sequel, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, Actor In Law and Teefa In Trouble (among others) having done wonders at the local box office. Though such films are important for local cinema to flourish, the expansion also has to do with the kind of narratives presented on the big screen.
Many romantic comedies have released post revival of Pakistani cinema and have worked well too, but films that tackle a unique subject have the power to capture one’s attention – films that are closer to reality and highlight important issues.
A recent addition to the list is Shazia Ali Khan’s upcoming film, Pinky Memsaab, which is brazen enough to present the harsh realities of life. Going by how the makers describe it, the film follows “the lives of a naïve maid; a troubled socialite; an ambitious banker and a happy go lucky chauffeur entwined together in Dubai” while the film is a “bitter-sweet tale of self-discovery”.
Pinky Memsaab is based in Dubai and will see four individuals striving to achieve what fascinates them, according to the film’s poster and recently released character teasers. Combined, they look intriguing and hint at a rather dark story.
The film features Hajra Yamin as Pinky, a maid who comes from a small village in Punjab to work in Dubai, as per the character teaser in which she reflects on her early marriage and the husband she used to drool over.
The actor, who was last seen on the big screen in Maan Jao Naa, took to social media and shared, “Super excited to announce the reveal of my second movie Pinky Memsaab , an international production shot in Dubai with combine actors from India ,Pakistan and UAE releasing soon worldwide. I had the privilege to work with some amazing actors.”
Another prominent character in the film is that of Mehr, essayed by model turned actor Kiran Malik, who will be seen as an unhappy socialite. According to the second character teaser that revealed more about Mehr, she is a writer by profession and looks impressive as she confidently converses with high-society women at a get-together.
The third track in the film follows the story of Santosh, played by Indian actor Sunny Hinduja, who has come to work in Dubai to make a future but feels empty inside. Apparently, there is a love sequence between him and Pinky. How the two cross paths and what it leads to, is yet to be unveiled.
Apart from Hajra, Kiran and Sunny, Pinky Memsaab features Adnan Jaffer, Khalid Ahmed, Shamim Hilaly and Hajra Khan in important roles. Abbas Ali Khan has done the music for the film that is currently in post production phase. Written and directed by Dubai-based debutant Shazia Ali Khan, Pinky Memsaab is scheduled to release worldwide later this year.