Dekh Magar Pyaar Say makes a stylish debut

 

 

Sikander Rizvi with Humaima Mallick, who arrived well into the screening of the film. You can’t help but look with love at these two.

 

Lahore

Of all the red carpet premieres to have taken place last week, the Dekh Magar Pyaar Say event, held on Independence Day in Lahore, was easily the most fashionable. The city’s stylish braved heavy traffic and made the long trek to Imperial Cinema on Burki Road where the movie was screened for the first time in the city that it lovingly pays ode to.

Ad filmmaker Asad-ul Haq’s directorial venture serves as the launch platform for Sikander Rizvi, Noor Jehan’s grandson and all-round eye-candy. While the restaurateur-turned-actor has admitted that he’s

The film’s producer Ali Murtaza & director Asad-ul Haq with Shaan.

prepared for all kinds of reactions for a role that has yanked him out of his comfort zone and put him in the shoes of a Punjabi rickshaw driver, you couldn’t tell that the man had only one film to his credit. Dressed in a sharp HSY suit, with a matching tie and pocket square to complete the suave look, he worked the red carpet like a star who’s had years of experience. Many of the females present were heard murmuring that a chance to interact with the actor made the two-hour long wait in the traffic jams en-route seem totally worth it.

Those who were hoping to catch a glimpse of the film’s other lead, Humaima Mallick, were left disappointed by her absence. Apparently, she got in late from Islamabad where the film had premiered the day before, and wasn’t able to get ready on time. This isn’t the first time this has happened, and if Humaima isn’t careful, people will be left discussing her inability to show up on time rather than her acting skills, which are quite decent. Her loss, however, turned out to be Ayesha Omer’s gain.

The svelte Amna Ilyas sizzled not only on the red carpet but on screen as well. Her thumkas on ‘Kala Doriya’ received the loudest cheers from the audience.

The petite actress, dressed in a black Body Focus outfit accessorized by a gold headband, made such a dramatic statement that a large number of people actually mistook her for the star

Black magic woman: Ayesha Omar channels gypsy glam in Body Focus Museum.

of the film. The other dazzling presence on the red carpet was HSY, who took on the role of creative director for the project. “The film will be a visual treat, I can promise you that. Asad has such a strong and stylized vision, and I have contributed to it in my own way, so I think people will take back something or the other – whether it’s the cinematography or the clothes or the good-looking cast,” he spoke to Instep. Post-show, the fashion designer also revealed that following his well-received cameo, he’s been offered two movie roles. “I’m seriously considering one,” he said when prodded.

Musician-turned-actor Junaid Khan at the premiere.

It was also a pleasure to run into Ammar Belal, currently back in his hometown from New York, which serves as home base these days. Having completed his MFA from Parsons School of Design last year, the designer is now a professor at his alma mater and we have no doubt he’ll continue to do his country proud.

Other celebrities present at the premiere

The fashion fraternity turned out in full force to support HSY, who not only did the film’s gorgeous costumes but also appears in a fun cameo. Pictured here: Kamiar Rokni, Ammar Belal, HSY and Sabene Saigol.

 included Shaan, Ali Zafar, Junaid Khan, Bilal Lashari, Kamiar Rokni, Zara Shahjehan and Ali Xeeshan.