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entertainment

In Pakistan, our biggest source of entertainment, besides food, is movies. The film culture is thriving in our country. Whenever a new movie comes to the big screen, moviegoers flock to the cinemas. Our indigenous film industry, also known as Lollywood, has experienced many ups and downs over the years. Despite facing challenges, the industry is alive, and films – though few in number – are still being made each year. Some make it to the box office, while others bomb, but that’s part of the game.

In the last seven months several movies have been released including ‘Baap’, ‘Kabeer’, ‘Qulfee’, ‘Lambi Judai’, ‘Deemak’ and ‘Love Guru’. The latter two movies have done pretty good business. Now, ‘Welcome to Punjab’, a highly anticipated movie, is ready to be released on August 14th.

Written and directed by Shahzad Rafique, ‘Welcome to Punjab’ promises a blend of humour, cultural exploration, and entertainment. The film introduces Aadi Khan alongside Zara Hayat, a fresh face in the industry. Together, they bring a new energy to this much-awaited project. Along with fresh faces, the film also boasts of an ensemble cast including veteran actors like Mumtaz, Bushra Ansari, Adnan Siddiqui and Javed Sheikh. The film is produced by Safdar Malik and marks the comeback of Shehzad Rafique as a director after an eight-year hiatus, and Mumtaz after a long break from the film industry.

“Welcome to Punjab is more than just a film – it’s a journey of culture, emotion, and dreams. Being a part of this project is an honour that I will cherish forever. From the colours of our land to the depth of our hearts, this film celebrates the soul of Punjab. I am beyond grateful to be part of a story that is so close to our roots, our people, and our identity,” shares Zara Hayat Khan on her Instagram.

The story centres on two families – one based in Karachi, the other in Lahore. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the family from Karachi is compelled to travel to Lahore. From the trailers and teasers, it’s evident that the film highlights cross-cultural encounters and delves into themes of identity, family, and tradition, all delivered with a comedic twist. The narrative brings together characters from different backgrounds, weaving a mix of quirky, light-hearted moments with emotionally resonant scenes.

According to Shahzad Rafique, the film aims to highlight unity and cultural exchange between Pakistan’s provinces. “It is essentially a love story – but with a twist. There’s romance, some family drama, and a deeper message of harmony woven into the narrative,” shares Shahzad, who has been a part of the film industry for 30 years. The film explores and celebrates Pakistan’s rich cultural diversity, using a romantic storyline set against the backdrop of interprovincial understanding and togetherness.

Veteran filmmaker Shahzad Rafique, known for directing acclaimed titles such as ‘Nikah’, ‘Ghunghat’, ‘Rukhsati’, ‘Salakhain’, and ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’, has high expectations from his latest project, ‘Welcome to Punjab’. “Audiences want to see fresh faces,” says Shahzad. “In this film, I’ve introduced newcomers Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan.” He adds that giving new talent a platform has always been a priority for him. Over the years, he has launched several, now-prominent actors in Lollywood, including Ahsan Khan in ‘Nikah’ (1998), Ahmed Butt and Sajid Hasan in ‘Salakhain’ (2004), Adnan Khan and Maria Khan in ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’ (2007), and Wiam Dahmani in ‘Ishq Khuda’ (2012).

‘Welcome to Punjab’ marks Shahzad’s sixth directorial venture following ‘Rukhsati’ (2001), ‘Salakhain’ (2004), ‘Mohabbataan Sachiyaan’ (2007), ‘Ishq Khuda’ (2012), and ‘Salute’ (2016). Reflecting on his journey, he shares, “I began my career as an assistant producer in 1996, but direction was always my true calling. The last film I directed was ‘Salute’ in 2016. After a hiatus of eight years, I’m returning with ‘Welcome to Punjab’. I was away from the scene for quite some time, but now I’m back with a renewed passion and a brand-new film,” describes Shahzad.

When asked about his experience working with Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan, Shahzad says, “My script required fresh faces, and I guess Zara Hayat and Aadi Khan were the right choices. Working with both of these actors was a delightful experience. During the shoot, I did not face any starry tantrums. Since the main cast was new, there was no issue with dates. They were committed to their work and always arrived on time.”

While praising other cast members Shahzad expresses, “Senior artists like Bushra Ansari, Sajid Hasan, Adnan Siddiqui, and Javed Sheikh were also very cooperative. The Wall City, Pakistan Railway, and Al Hamra Arts Council were all very supportive. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Sir Ganga Ram, Mr Kamran Lashari, and Mr Yousaf Salahuddin for their unwavering support throughout the filming process. The film’s shooting went smoothly and was completed in a record time of seven months. And for your information, these days I am working on a new project. The film is called ‘Heer Ranjha’. It’s a classic Punjabi film.”

Shahzad is of the opinion that concrete steps should be taken for the revival of cinema. “We need international film festivals. They provide an excellent opportunity to meet different filmmakers under one roof. It’s also a great market strategy. We must support young directors and incorporate modern technology into our films. Film should be included as a subject for aspiring filmmakers. Seminars on different aspects of films, such as cinematography and storytelling, should also be held regularly,” he emphasises.

While highlighting the steps taken by the Punjab government for the revival of cinema Shahzad tells, “Punjab government has launched a Chief Minister Film Fund of PKR 2 billion, attracting nearly 2,500 applications from filmmakers nationwide seeking grants, infrastructure, and training support. An eight-member Film Fund Disbursement Committee now oversees transparent grant allocation. Key infrastructure proposals include Punjab’s first Film City, a dedicated studio complex, post-production lab, and a national film school within Lahore’s IT City.”

During his conversation with this scribe, Shahzad also pointed out a very relevant issue: the high cost of film tickets. “Film tickets should be made cheaper. This multiplex culture has made watching movies so expensive. Films were once a poor man’s entertainment, but no longer. We need to open cinemas in small towns too, to reach a wider audience. We need to promote regional cinema. There was a time when 50 to 60 Sindhi films and more than 100 Punjabi movies were made in a single year. But now, hardly any regional films are being made,” he laments.

When asked about his expectations for ‘Welcome to Punjab’, he replies, “Each director gives his best shot, but luck plays a major role in deciding the fate of the movie. So, let’s see whether the film will make it to the box office or not.”

– Erum Noor Muzaffar