The first quarter (Jan – Mar) of the year 2016 has passed which proved rather dismal when comes to the number of Urdu films released. At the start of the year 2016, six Urdu films were announced to be released till March.
January – Ho Mann Jahan (1st January), Badal Revenge of the Worthless (15th January), Hijrat (22 January)
February – Fiker Not (11 February), Bachaana (26 February 2016)
March – Salute (23rd March 2016)
However only three Urdu films are released in the first quarter of 2016 i.e Ho Mann Jahan (1st January 2016), Bachaana (26th February 2016) and Fiker Not (11th March 2016). Out of these Ho Mann Jahan and Bachaana proved successful, while Fiker Not a low budget film proved dead flop.
Ho Mann Jahan earned nearly 21 crore (16 crore in Pakistan and 5 crore in the rest of the world), while Bachaana earned around 8.50 crore.
One major reason for such low numbers of releases was two back to back cricket tournaments. In February 2016, the first edition of Pakistan Super League was organized which was followed by the Cricket T20 World Cup in March 2016. Due to these cricketing events, release of few films was postponed.
Now the second quarter for 2016 has started in which four Urdu films are announced to be released in April and May. Due to the Holy month of Ramazan no film is releasing in June.
So here is the summary of the four films due to release in April and May 2016.
Maalik (مالک)
Maalik (مالک) is an Urdu film releasing on the 8th April 2016. The highlight of the film is the comeback of Aashir Azeem to almost after two decades. Aashir Azeem earned fame from the PTV Quetta center drama Dhuwaan (دھوّاں) in 1994.
The film has five songs composed by Sahir Ali Bagga, also featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Film: Maalik (مالک)
Starring: Ashir Azeem, Farhan Ally Agha, Sajid Hassan, Hassan Niazi, Adnan Shah Tipu, Bushra Ashir Azeem, Ehteshamuddin, Rashid Farooqi, Mariam Ansari, Tatmain ul Qalb, Lubna Aslam, Erum Azam, Pakiza Khan
Genre: Action Thriller, Drama
Written by: Ashir Azeem
Screenplay by: Ashir Azeem
Directed by: Ashir Azeem
Produced by: Media Hub
Shot in: Karachi & Balochistan
Release Date: 8th April 2016
Hijrat (ہجرت)
Hijrat (ہجرت) is an upcoming film which was under production for past three years or so. Farooq Mengal directorial debut who before this film has directed several television dramas. The trailer of Hijrat is released today while the film will release on 21st January 2015.
Hijrat is an action love story that plays out in the foreground of an exodus that rendered millions homeless during the Afghan war. It touches upon the lives of those whose spirits were broken by the homes they lost and whose hearts were broken by the shelter they found.
The film is an action romantic story in the backdrop of Afghan refugees. Asad Zaman the hero of this film is an Afghan national who has worked in several Urdu dramas before Hijrat. Asad Zaman is fluent in Dari, Pashto and Urdu. Models Rabia Butt and Rubab Ali are playing the female leads where Rabia Butt is playing the role of an Indian doctor working in Afghan refugees camps. The film also features an item song shot on Sana Nawaz.
Hijrat was due to relesae on 21st January 2016, but eventually postponed and is now releasing on 22nd April 2016.
Film: Hijrat (ہجرت)
Release Date: 22 April 2016
Cast: Rabia Butt, Asad Zaman, Rubab Ali, Nadeem Baig, Jamal Shah, Ayub Khouso, Durdana Butt, Azra Aftab, Zeb Rehman, Mahjabeen, Saima Balouch
Genre: Romance, Drama, Action
Shot in: Karachi, Baluchistan (Pakistan), Istanbul (Turkey)
Directed & Produced by: Farouq Mengal for FM studios
Distributor: Everready Productions & Hum Films
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXFaTmIv58c&nohtml5=False
Mahe Meer (ماہ میر)
Mah-e-Meer is a film based on the life and the ‘Ka’laam’ of poet Meer Taqi Meer. The film is under production for past two years.
The highlight of Mahe Meer is the script of Sarmad Sehbai. Iman Ali is appearing in a film after a gap of five years, where Bol in 2011 was her last film.
Starring: Iman Ali, Fahad Mustafa, Sanam Saeed, Ally Khan, Huma Nawab & Manzar Sehbai
Directed By: Anjum Shahzad, Sarmad Sehbai
Written By: Sarmad Sehbai
Produced By: Khurram Rasheed, Sahir Rasheed, Badar Ikram
Hotal (ہوٹل)
Hotal (ہوٹل) is a Hindi/Urdu film which is under production from past two years. Last year it was screened in New Delhi film festival in New Delhi, India where it also bagged an award.
Hotal was due to release on 1st April 2016 but it was postponed after the tragic Gulshane Iqbal Park terrorist attacks in Lahore. It can be considered as a comeback film for filmstar Meera. Her last major appearance was in film Ishq Khuda in 2013, though she also appeared in a cameo in the film Dekh Magar Pyar Se in 2015.
Hotal also features an item song Maum Bati shot on Morrocan artist Wiam Dahmani. Now it is releasing on 8th April 2016 or 13 May 2016.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVeE_Tx3jdM
Rashid Nazir Ali
