Director Aziz Jindani’s recently released animated feature sets a new benchmark among animated films in Pakistan.
The recently released animated film, The Donkey King, written, directed and co-produced by Aziz Jindani and released in cinemas across Pakistan under the banner of Geo Films, has collected over 36 lacs on the opening day, this breaking previous box office records made by other animated films such as Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor.
That’s not all. The film has raked in over 1 crore on its second day (Saturday), according to Entertainment Pakistan. The site also states that no animated film has collected over 70 lacs in a single day in Pakistan; The Donkey King has set a new benchmark that will be hard to beat.
The film premiered in Karachi on October 12 with several prominent personalities in attendance. The songs featured on the soundtrack are catchy and meaningful and the recently released ‘Allah Meherbaan’ is just one example.
The 3-minute-long qawwali-esque track is a political satire that reflects the nation’s voice and is a commentary on the hypocrisy and rhetoric of political leaders who are self centered and uncaring.
Featuring the inhabitants of Azad Nagar, where the film is based, ‘Allah Meherbaan’ highlights issues such as water shortage, electricity breakdown and economical unrest in the country while also keeping the humour alive.
The lyrics of ‘Allah Meherbaan’ have been penned by Aziz Jindani and singer-songwriter Asrar, who has also sung it.
Coming back to the film, The Donkey King features voice artists Afzal Khan aka Jan Rambo as the central character Mangu and Hina Dilpazeer as Miss Fitna who plays a key role in the narrative. Other voice artists include Faisal Qureshi, Jawed Sheikh, Ahsan Rahim, Adeel Hashmi and Mani, among others.
With a donkey called Mangu as its central character, the film offers a good quotient of laughter, a positive message and some catchy songs to look forward to. If you haven’t watched it yet, visit your nearest cinema now.
