June 2018 is about to end in a weeks time. During this month, hot summer weather prevails in most parts of our country while the two to three months long summer vacation for all students also starts from this month. Due to the summer vacations many plan for recreation outings. The Muslim festive occasion of Eidul Fitr also fall in June 2018 which sees a number of Urdu films releases. No Urdu film was released in May 2018 due to the holy Islamic Month of Ramazan. The almost two month long dry season of local cinema has ended on Eidul Fitr 2017 where a four Urdu films have released. Eidul Fitr is the major festive occasion in our country followed by Eidul Azha. It is the time of joy, family reunion, outing, recreation and vacation. The long holidays of Eidul Fitr benefit the entertainment industry as well majorly cinemas and theaters. To utilize the Eid holidays as well as the summer vacations the number of Urdu film releases in this month is five where four are already released on Eidul Fitr. Here is the summary of the films of June 2018 7 Din Mohabbat In (سات دن محبت ان) Starring superstar Mahira Khan alongside her Ho Mann Jahan co-star Sheheryar Munawar, 7 Din Mohabbat In (7DMI) is all set to release on Eid ul Fitr. It has been directed by duo of Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi, whose debut directorial venture Zinda Bhaag (2013) became the first Pakistani film to be submitted for an Oscar consideration. Written by Fasih Bari Khan, the romantic comedy shows the life of Tipu (essayed by Munawar) on a quest to find his true love and the troubles he encounters during his journey. The film also marks Mira Sethi’s big screen debut and has an all-star cast that includes names such as Amna Ilyas, Jawed Sheikh, Hina Dilpazeer, Aamir Qureshi, Rimal Ali, Adnan Shah Tipu, Mira Sethi and Beo Zafar. 7 Din Mohabbat In will be Mahira and Sheheryar’s second film together after Asim Raza’s Ho Mann Jahaan (2016), where Sheheryar Munawar is appearing in a film after a gap of 2.5 years. 7DMI is the debut film for Hina Dilpazeer, Rimal Ali and Mira Sethi. Transgender artist Rimal Ali will perform on a dance number in this film too. It is also the first film by Herald Entertainment Company and Dawn Films, a film house of Dawn Media and Publications. Outside Pakistan, 7DMI will be distributed by B4U movies. 7DMI will also release in North America, Europe, Middle East, Australia/NZ, Africa and South East Asia. Film: 7 Din Mohabbat In (سات دن محبت ان) Release Date: 16th June 2018 Genre: Romcom Cast: Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui, Mira Sethi, Amna Ilyas, Jawed Sheikh, Hina Dilpazeer, Aamir Qureshi, Adnan Shah Tipu, Beo Zafar Music by: Arshad Mehmood,Shuja Haider,Shani Arshad, Waqar Ali, Sheraz Uppal Written by: Fasih Bari Khan Directed by: Meenu Gaur, Farjad Nabi Producers: Nazafreen Saigol, Lakhani Shakeel, Masud Hussain, Sheikh Amjad Rasheed Production House: Dawn Films Distributor: Dawn Films & IMGC Global Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/7DinMohabbatIn/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qa_DNWlYlA Azaadi (آزادی ) Moammar Rana and Sonya Hussyn starer Azaadi is also releasing on Eidul Fitr. The film is about finding freedom and is a love story set against the backdrop of the freedom struggle in Jammu and Kashmir. The titular character Azaad is being essayed by Moammar Rana. He is shown to be a freedom fighter who chooses Kashmir over love, career, and family, whereas Sonya Hussyn is essaying a British journalist of Pakistani roots who loves Azaad. Besides Rana and Hussyn, veteran actor Nadeem will be essaying Moammar’s father in the film. By the looks of the trailer, Azaadi seems to be packed with a lot of action and impressive visual effects. Azaadi is directed by Imran Malik the son of late great director Parvez Malik. Imran’s first film as director was Tere Bin Jiya Na Jaye in 2005. Azaadi is Sonya Hussyn second film after Moor (2015). Film: Azaadi (آزادی ) Release Date: 16th June 2018 Genre: Action Cast: Moammar Rana, Sonya Hussyn, Nadeem, Maryam Ansari, Erum Azam, Ali Fateh, Maryam Khalif Music by: Sahir Ali Bagga Written by: Wajid Zuberi Directed by: Imran Malik Producers: Irfan Malik, Imran Malik Production House: Parvez Malik Films Distributor: ARY Films Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Azaadi-803318393140295/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U71A8kn_h64 Wajood (وجود) Wajood is directed by Javed Sheikh where his last film as director Khullay Aasman Ke Neeche was released in 2008. Starring Danish Tamoor, Saeeda Imtiaz and Aditi Singh in the key roles, Wajood has veteran artists Shahid, Nadeem and Javed Sheikh in the supporting cast. A romantic thriller it is shot in Turkey. Danish Taimoor, will be seen essaying the character of a pilot, while Jawed Sheikh is possibly essaying the villain’s role. It is the first film of Saeeda Imtiaz in a lead role, as she had earlier appeared in a dance number in Raasta (2017). Indian artist Aditi Singh is also part of this film. Frieha Altaf is making her big screen debut from this film, while Ali Saleem is also appearing in a key role. Like the past films of Javed Sheikh, Wajood has melodious music well shot on the scenic locations of Turkey. Film: Wajood (وجود) Release Date: 16th June 2018 Genre: Romantic/Thriller Cast: Danish Tamoor, Saeeda Imtiaz, Aditi Singh, Nadeem, Shahid, Javed Sheikh, Frieha Altaf, Shaheen Khan, Asad Mehmood, Ali Saleem Music by: Sahir Ali Bagga Written by: Babar Kashmiri Directed by: Javed Sheikh Producers: Moomal Sheikh and Shahzad Sheikh Production House: Javed Sheikh Films Distributor: Distribution Club Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wajoodthefilm/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL9gShbxYR0 Na Band Na Baraati (نا بینڈ نا باراتی) Na Band Na Baraati is a romantic comedy feature film. The film trails lives of a few Pakistani families in Canada. It has a mix of culture, compassion, love, mischief’s, and entertainment. Starring Mikaal Zulfiqar, Nayab Khan and Shayan Khan in key roles, it has established names like Qavi Khan, Atiqa Odho and Mehmood Akhter in the supporting cast. The film is shot entirely in Canada. It is the Mikaal Zulfiqar’s first Pakistani film in a leading role. Earlier he has appeared in supporting roles in God Father The Legend Continues (2007) and Cake (2018). The film was due to release on 6th July 2018, however its release date is pushed back as another film Parwaaz Hai Junoon by the same distributor is delayed. Film: Na Band Na Baraati (نا بینڈ نا باراتی) Release Date: 16th June 2018 Genre: Romcom Cast: Mikaal Zulfiqar, Ali Kazmi, Shayan Khan, Qavi Khan, Atiqa Odho, Komal Farooqi, Azra Mohyeddin, Nayab Khan, Saram Jaffery, Anzelikha Tahir, Kashif Ahmed and Zuhair Jaffery Music by: Ayaz Sonu Written by: Harish Kumar Patel Directed by: Mahmood Akhtar Producers: Khawar Farooqi, Nighat Farooqi & Zain Farooqi Production House: Zashko Films Distributor: Hum Films & Everready Films Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbnbmovie/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdJFbA0Jtx8 Shor Sharaba (شور شرابہ) The last film of June 2018 is Shor Sharaba releasing on 29th June 2018. It is the fifth or sixth release date of the film, which is in production for almost past four years. The film was due to release in April 2017, then postponed to Eidul Fitr 2017, then November 2017, April 2018 and now June 2018. Shor Sharaba is produced in Lahore, where its producer Sohail Khan is making a comeback towards Urdu cinema. Sohail Khan is a film producer from Lahore, and since film making in Pakistan was extinct by mid 2000s he produced films in Bollywood. He was the co-producer of the Bollywood films like Jannat, Murder 3 and perhaps it is where he get acquainted with Indian film directors. Since the so called revival of Urdu cinema, Sohail has also announced his film Shor Sharaba around 2014-2015 to be directed by the Indian directed Hasnain Hyderabadwala (حسنین حیدرآبادوالا). It took Hasnain Hyderabadwala long time to get the work permit and other permissions required to work in Pakistan and thus the film delayed. Eventually Hasnain Hyderabadwala got the work permit and the shooting of the film started in Lahore in 2016 and completed in early 2017. Interestingly in October 2016, Indian film producers association announced a ban on Pakistani artists in Bollywood. However at that time the Indian director was shooting this film in Pakistan and he again visited afterwards to complete the film as there is no such ban on Indian artists in Pakistan. Apart from the Indian director, the choreographer Shabina Khan of this film is also Indian. Shor Sharaba stars Adnan Khan and Rabi Peerzada in the lead roles where Rabi is doing her first film. The trailer of the film was released in April 2017 and was quite clueless. One wonders what difference the Indian film director has made as the film is at par with the Urdu films of 1990s directed by Parvez Rana (Late), Maqsood Butt or Anjum Parvez. Lets hope the film sees the light of the day this time. Film: Shor Sharaba (شور شرابہ) Release Date: 29th June 2018 Genre: Romcom Cast: Adnan Khan, Rabi Peerzada, Meera, Ahmed Butt, Mustafa Qureshi, Bihar Begum Written by: Sohail Khan Directed by: Husnain Hyderabadwala Producers: Sohail Khan Production House: Sohail Khan Production Distributor: Sohail Khan Production Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHhM9iusWXM With five films June emerges as the month having the most number of film releases in 2018. Thanks for reading and your time. Rashid Nazir Ali
