February the second month of the year 2017 has started. The event of Valentines Day or 14th February falls in this month. Though not a local tradition, but from past one decade specifically after the emergence of private satellite channels this day has been promoted extensively atleast on our television channels. Since Valentines day is associated with romance so it can be an occasion to release a film based on romance.
There has never been any tradition in our local film industry to release some romance based film on the Valentines day weekend. However in our neighboring India some romantic films are scheduled every year on this weekend which sometimes termed as Valentines weekend releases.Since from past one decade Bollywood films are also releasing in Pakistan including the Valentines day weekend releases so it has somewhat attracted the local film makers too. In the year 2016, two Bollywood films were released on the Valentines Weekend. Perhaps inspired from the same Bollywood trend, this year for the very first time one Urdu film is scheduled specifically for the Valentines weekend on 10th February 2016.
On the whole two Urdu films are releasing in February 2017.
Balu Mahi (بالو ماہی)
Balu Mahi is the first film directed by Haissam Hussain (ہائصم حسین) known for some popular dramas like Dastaan, Durre Shehwar, Bin Roye. Haissam’s first film was Bin Roye released in 2015 but due to some differences with the producers he left the film incomplete and subsequently the film was completed by Hameed Kashmiri and Momina Duraid (also the producer).
The producer of Balu Mahi is Saadia Jabbar, also known for producing some famous dramas like Mera Naam Yousaf Hai. Most of the dramas produced by Saadia Jabbar are aired on the channel APlus which is also the media partner of Balu Mahi.
Balu Mahi features Osman Khalid Butt, Ainnie Jaffri and Sadaf Kanwal in the lead roles. It is the first major film of Osman Khalid Butt, though he earlier appeared in a cameo in Janaan (2015) and in a supporting role in Slackistan (2013).
Ainnie Jaffri is making a comeback on the big screen, where her first film was Mein Hoon Shahid Afridi (MHSA) in 2013 in which she appeared as a second heroine. Sadaf Kanwal a leading name of our modelling scene is making her acting debut from this film too.
The melodious music of the film is composed by Sahir Ali Bagga and is a blend of experienced voices like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and new voices like Asim Azhar, Aima Baig.
A romantic comedy, the film is releasing on the Valentines weekend i.e. 10th February, as specifically mentioned on its official page.
The film is shot in Lahore, Sheikhupura as well as the scenic locations of Gilgit Baltistan. The film also features a dance number Balu Mahi shot on Ainnie Jaffri and Osman Khalid Butt.
Apart from the lead cast, the supporting cast of the film also features some big names like Shafqat Cheema, Javed Sheikh, Durdana Butt and Hinna Rizvi.
Film: Balu Mahi (بالو ماہی)
Releasing Date: 10th February 2017
Genre: Romance, Situational Humor, Drama, Adventure
Starring: Osman Khalid Butt, Ainy Jaffri, Sadaf Kanwal (debut), Shafqat Cheema, Javed Sheikh, Hinna Rizvi, Durdana Butt
Directed By: Haissam Hussain
Written By: Saad Azhar
Screenplay: Haissam Hussain, Saad Azhar
Produced By: Sadia Jabbar Production (SJP)
Distributor: HKC Entertainment
Media Partner: ATV, APlus
Plot Outline: Happenstance brings two strangers together on a wintery night in Lahore. What follows is a series of (mis)adventures that brings them together… and drives them apart.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balumahi.official
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dh5motMnPSOVjL9gzDwxg
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_BSb9oFvV22EfRNpKvWLw
Website: http://www.sadiajabbarproductions.com/
Whistle (وسل)
Whistle is an Urdu film but with an English name. Whistle in English can be easily translated as Seeti (سیٹی) in Urdu. The film is releasing on 17th February 2017. Advertised as a film on Nationalism, Whistle is based on the story of law enforcement officers fighting drug dealers and criminals. This film claimed to be based on Nationalism also features an item song.
Sohail Sameer, Farhan Ali Agha, Tatmainul Qalb are the leading names in this film. The film is mostly shot in Islamabad, Salt Range and Pothohar region of Punjab mainly Mianwali district. The music of the film is composed by Bakshi brothers who earned fame from Coke Studio few years ago.
Film: Whistle (وسل)
Action: Action, Thriller
Release Date: 17th February 2017
Starring: Farhan Ali Agha, Sohail Sameer, Imran Ali, Tatmain Ul Qulb, Osama Bin Ghazi, Aamir Kazmi, Daud Khan, Mubashir Malik, Beenish Saghir, Dewan Shoaib Khan, Ehsan Khan, Imaad Ali,Sarim Malik, Hamna Khalid & Meerab (for item song)
Story by: Shafaq Ammad
Directed by: Ammad Azhar
Produced by: Mian Yasin
Script by: Mirza Naeem Baig & Ammad Azhar
Lyrics: Nadeem Najid & Ammad Azhar
Music: Bakshi Brothers
DOP: Khalid Jumman
Art Director/Production Designer: Shafaq Ammad
Associate Director: Farooq Gondal
Asst, Director: Shahid Doltana
Asst. Production Designer: Rao Shakeel
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whistlethemovie
Website: http://www.whistlemovie.com/
Plot Outline
A film on Nationalism as never been screened before.
So it sums up the films coming in February 2017.
Thanks for reading and keep supporting Pakistani cinema.
Rashid Nazir Ali