It’s been a fun and frolic year for Pakistani cinema as a number of films
The release date was announced last evening along with an unveiling of the film’s official poster, online. Starring Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain, Sheheryar Munawwar Siddiqui and Sonya Jehan in the lead, the film is being pitched as youthful and relevant to the day and age we live in. It’s a no-frills story about three college friends, who together have a band, but at the same time are strong personalities with dreams of their own. The film follows their lives and happenings amidst a soundtrack boasting of big names like Atif Aslam, Zeb Bangash and Tina Sani.
In an earlier interview with Instep, director Asim Raza explained that the reason why the film’s initial release was postponed was that other big Pakistani films like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani were also releasing at the same time. Hence, it was not in the best interest of the film and Pakistani cinema in general. “Jawani Phir Nahi Aani is releasing on Eid-ul-Azha and it’s a big Pakistani film that we don’t want to go head to head with. We’d happily go up against any Indian film but I feel there needs to be harmony within the Pakistani film industry. The film industry is growing right now and has limited screens; now is not the time to compete against one another,” he said.
Despite delays, the hype surrounding Ho Mann Jahaan is huge. The teaser has been viewed over a 100,000 times since its release. But with films like Manto, Moor and JPNA setting high standards, we just hope that it really is a film worth beginning our year with.
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Nescafe Basement set for a new season
Since making its debut in 2012, Nescafe Basement, spearheaded by Zulfiqar
The music show, which caters to young musicians, has managed to survive at a time when music shows come and go out of the spotlight fairly quickly.
Soch, the band behind some stellar tunes on Dekh Magar Pyar Se soundtrack, found a spot on the show in its initial years and their success is a sign that Nescafe Basement is moving in the right direction.
This year, as Nescafe Basement returns with a fourth season, producer and mentor Xulfi alongside his team traveled across the country to audition potential entrees to the show. Xulfi and crew toured various education institutions like LUMS, Szabist, IBA and many others to find future musicians. Those interested can also apply online. The final list of contestants will be finished by October 10, 2015.
Speaking about the upcoming fourth season, Xulfi commented: “It’s always inspiring to go out and look for the young talent of Pakistan. And this year has seen the widest audition drive compared to the previous three seasons. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that the talent that I’ve discovered for this season has already excited me for the music-making process that’s about to start in a few days. I’d let the artists and their talent be a surprise for the audience. Rest assured, it’s going to positively amaze you, yet again.”
Ghulam Ali’s Mumbai concert to be cancelled
India’s Hindu extremist party Shiv Sena is at it again. Known for their
According to Mid-Day, the general secretary of Shiv Sena’s umbrella organisation Chitrapat Sena, AkshayBadrapurkar, said, “We are against any form of cultural association with Pakistan ... They are against us so why should we let their singers perform here.” Shiv Sena has also threatened to protest in case the organizers failed to cancel the event. “Today we are requesting them (organizers) to cancel the program. If they don’t then we will be forced to protest in our style,” he added.
This isn’t the first time Shiv Sena has pressurized organizers to cancel an event that showcased a Pakistani artist. The party previously disrupted a performance by the Meekal Hasan band at the Mumbai Press Club and also threatened Atif Aslam against performing in Pune, after which the concert was cancelled.