A number of movies have been made available on Netflix recently. Instep lists down 4 of them.
With the revival of Pakistani cinema, there have been a number of films such as Cake and Punjab Nahi Jaungi - among others - that have not only done well at the box office but have also been recognized at various international platforms and won accolades. Moreover, it is also quite heartening to see that in the recent past our local films including Waar, Moor, Dukhtar, Ho Mann Jahaan and many others, have been made digitally accessible to a wider audience through the digital streaming platform, Netflix. From full seasons of the most popular TV shows to classic movies, Netflix has more entertainment than you could ever possibly watch.
Here are four Pakistani films that have recently made their way to Netflix.
Chupan Chupai
The action comedy, which stars Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer in lead roles, is the most recent film to release on Netflix. Written and directed by Mohsin Ali, Chupan Chupai released across Pakistan in December 2017. The story revolves around six individuals who cross paths with each other and how their lives take a turn from there. One thing leads to another and in a bid to earn a quick buck, all of them land themselves in trouble. What follows is a journey that lies at the heart of the film. The actors make a lasting impression with their performances in Chupan Chupai and it is certainly a treat to watch as it offers terrific punch lines, a fast-paced narrative and a lot of comedic moments.
Coming back to its release on the streaming website, the interesting part is that the action comedy has been simultaneously released in Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, India, US, Canada, China, Thailand, Bangladesh, Panama, Israel, Luxembourg, Russia, South Africa, Ireland, UK, Thailand and Pakistan.
Chupan Chupai has an all star cast including veteran actors Jawed Sheikh, Talat Hussain, Rehan Sheikh, Sakina Samo, Adnan Jaffar and Saife Hassan, apart from Ahsan Khan and Neelam Muneer. It also features some newcomers like Faizan Khawaja, Ali Rizvi, Vajdan Shah and Zayed Razzaque Sheikh - who made their debut with the film.
Teefa In Trouble
The Ali Zafar and Maya Ali starrer Teefa In Trouble made its way to Netflix last month. The action comedy that released across Pakistan and beyond in July 2018, was one of the highest grossing Pakistani films of last year.
The film marks ad filmmaker and music video director Ahsan Rahim’s big screen directorial debut and follows the story of Teefa (essayed by Ali Zafar), a witty Punjabi boy, who works in the world of crime for the shady business-dealer and local gangster Butt Sahab (Mehmood Aslam), and Anya – a strong-headed Pakistani girl living in Poland. How their two worlds collide and what happens next is what the film is about. Shot in Poland and Pakistan, the film features Mehmood Aslam, Asma Abbas, Faisal Qureshi and Jawed Sheikh in key roles aside from Ali Zafar and Maya Ali, who made their Pakistani film debut with the film. It also earned decent reviews and was praised for its ability to compete across the border.
Rangreza
Directed by Amir Mohiuddin, the Urwa Hocane, Bilal Ashraf and Gohar Rasheed starrer, Rangreza released in Pakistan in December 2017 and was made available on Netflix in August 2018. Rangreza explores the life of Reshmi (essayed by Urwa Hocane), who belongs to a traditional qawwal gharana (family) and has been engaged since childhood to her cousin, Waseem (Gohar Rasheed). All hell breaks loose when Ali (Bilal Ashraf), a famous pop star falls in love with Reshmi. Written by Akhtar Qayyum and produced by Yasir Mohiuddin and Usman Malkani, the film is a journey of how two different classes and schools of thought come together.
Aside from Gohar, Bilal and Urwa, the film also stars Ghana Ali and model turned actor Alyzeh Gabol - who made her cinematic debut with the project.
Chalay Thay Saath
Umer Adil’s directorial Chalay Thay Saath featuring Syra Shahroz, Chinese actor Kent S. Leung, Zhalay Sarhadi, Osama Tahir, Mansha Pasha and Faris Khalid in prominent roles released in Pakistan in April 2017 and generated mixed reviews. The film was made available on Netflix in May 2018.
Prior to getting a release on the streaming channel, Chalay Thay Sath was also screened to a packed audience in Hong Kong last year. The film follows the story of six young individuals who embark on a road trip that becomes a journey of self-discovery as well as their relationships. Shot in the beautiful locations of Pakistan, the film is an exploration of love and friendships.
Footnote: With the number of local films accessible online, we just can’t wait for Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat starrer, Load Wedding to get released on Netflix in March 2019. Apart from this, recent reports suggest that Asim Abbasi’s Cake might have its digital release in the first half of this year.
