‘Cake’ becomes first Pak film premiered at Leicester Square

LONDON: Leicester Square, the home of movie premieres, played host to first-ever British Pakistani film premiere for Cake, making it the first Pakistani film to be premiered at the prestigious spot.

The cast and crew of ‘Cake’ gathered at the Leicester Square’s Vue cinema for the splendid show which saw leading celebrities and A-lister walking the red carpet.

Those who attended the premier included Melanie Sykes, Roxanne Pallett, Cake’s producer Zulfi Bukhari, Aamina Sheikh, Sanam Saeed, Adnan Malik, Naughty Boy, Malala Yousafzai, Raana Zafar, Baroness Warsi, Northampton Town footballer Kashif Saddiqi, cricketer Monty Panesar, TV presenter Sonali Shah, QPR owner Amit Bhatia, Vanisha Mittal and MP Naz Shah. Aamina Sheikh told media that ‘Cake’ is full of fun but deals with real issues of life. “Cake will make viewers smile and cry. I have loved acting in it and its been a great journey working with a great team.”

Speaking to media at the venue, Zulfi Bukhari, who financed the film, said that “Cake is a film about love and loss, about ageing parents and siblings, it is a true family drama for all ages and will be a breath of fresh air for Pakistani Cinema.

Bukahri, who was recently in headlines in relation to Imran Khan’s third marriage and for being its witness, said Cake is aimed at promoting cinema. “I have done by it to play my part in contributing for the promotion of Pakistani talent and cinema. It needs revival and I hope more people will come forward and invest in Pakistani films,” said the property tycoon. He hoped that more films on the line of ‘Cake’ will be produced to encourage the revival of film industry in Pakistan.

Adnan Malik said this film is original and doesn’t copy Bollywood or Hollywood. “Cake is exactly like the cake, it has many layers and its full of sweetness. It’s a Pakistani story, based in and around Pakistan, dealing with the conflicts of Pakistani families. It’s a strong film,” he added.

Baroness Warsi said ‘Cake’ is a realistic movie which depicts real issues of life. “It depicts the beauty of Pakistan. It’s a must see film for everyone, for every nationality and background.”

Naz Shah, MP, said she was pleased to see the premier of a Pakistani film in London. “It has made me truly proud, it’s a real depiction of Pakistan.”

Premier of the film made it to the headlines in showbiz pages of leading publications in Britain.

A truly crossover Pakistani film, ‘Cake’ is a family drama about love, loss, choices and responsibilities. The story unravels when the ageing patriarch of the Jamali family is taken ill and his eldest daughter and sole caregiver, Zareen, is forced to reconnect with her sister, Zara, on her return from London.

Directed by Asim Abbasi, ‘Cake’ stars Aamina Sheikh, Sanam Saeed and Adnan Malik, and is produced by Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari.

No Pakistani movie has received so much western press and tweets from celebrities around the world such as Ashley Cole to leading Bollywood stars. From the premier to the follow-up coverage in the press, ‘Cake’ is most probably the first ever Pakistani film to get so much attention of the western media – the kind of attention given to leading Bollywood films.

Daily Mail said that Melanie Sykes stole the show when she attended the “swanky Pakistani film premiere” in her youthful looks, causing frenzy of photographers who fell over each to film the A-lister.

One of the biggest news website said in its report: “It’s the first ever British Pakistani film to be premiered at the Vue Leicester Square, and was shot on location in London and Pakistan and charts the bitter-sweet journey of a family and their eclectic lives.”

Metro said that ‘Cake’ is a Pakistani family drama with elements of suspense and romance that has the distinction of being the first ever Pakistani film to be premiered in London’s iconic venue.

‘Cake’ is award-winning British filmmaker Asim Abbasi’s directorial debut. The former London School of Economics graduate, who quit investment banking to turn a film-maker, says this film is about responsibility and choices in life. The film will be released in cinemas on 30th of March.