Romantic comedies may be the more successful box office formulas but several filmmakers have been braving the road less taken to diversify and make animations.
In the past few years our cinema has not only been revived but has produced blockbusters like Teefa In Trouble, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (1 and 2), Punjab Nahi Jaungi and Cake among many others. Many films have even made it big on various international platforms, winning accolades and receiving rave reviews as well. One can’t deny the fact that films are on the rise but the genre of films being made, you have to admit, is pretty limited. We have rom-coms topping the list with a few family drama/coming-of-age stories like Cake following up. Up until now, animation was barely considered a significant form of cinematic and artistic expression this side of the world - hence we have just a few animated productions to flaunt - but things are changing.
We have as many as 5 animations, released in the last few years, and we are eagerly looking forward to the release of the much anticipated The Glassworker (Sheeshahgar) by Mano Animation Studios. This will be Pakistan’s first fully hand-drawn animated film, which is written and directed by Usman Riaz, who is also the founder of Mano Animation Studios.
Looking forward to more, Instep lists four Pakistani animated productions that have been released and enjoyed.
3 Bahadur franchise
In 2015, Pakistan’s first ever 3D computer-animated film, 3 Bahadur was released. Created by two-time Academy Award winning director, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, 3 Bahadur’s story revolved around three extraordinary children, Amna, Saadi and Kamil, who rise from the most unlikeliest of places and save their town from the evil that plagues it. Equipped with courage and super powers, the three kids battle against the odds and stand up to injustice to restore peace and harmony in their once thriving neighborhood. The second instalment of the franchise, titled 3 Bahadur: Revenge of Baba Balaam was released in 2017 and became the highest grossing animated film till then. While the first instalment raked in around 6.63 crores, 3 Bahadur: Revenge of Baba Balaam collected approximately 6.75 crores at the box office.
Quite recently the official trailer of the upcoming third part of 3 Bahadur franchise was released and once again, the animation chronicles the journey of the three superheroes Amna, Saadi and Kamil.
The first two parts were not that brilliant in terms of animation; let’s see what the third part has to offer visually. 3 Bahadur: Rise of The Warriors is slated to hit cinemas in December, this year.
Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor
Written and directed by Uzair Zaheer Khan, Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor was released on February 2, 2018, and what a visually-enchanting animated feature it was. Set in the northern regions of Pakistan, the animated film was not only full of valuable lessons but also shed light on the preservation and illegal hunting of wildlife. The story followed Allahyar, a young and mischievous boy who ends up dealing with difficult circumstances and how he meets Mehru, the markhor. In a series of events, Allahyar tries to save Mehru from the hunters and is rewarded with the ability to speak to animals. The best part about the film was the sharp and enchanting animation, which took the level of computer-generated animation in the country to the next level. Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor collected around 5.3 crores at the box office.
The Donkey King
The Donkey King, written, directed and co-produced by Aziz Jindani, released on October 13, 2018, across Pakistan under the banner of Geo Films. The film is about a donkey, Mangu, who becomes king by chance and how things take a turn for this donkey is something that the viewers will know once they watch the movie which is running successfully in cinemas. The Donkey King continues to garner rave reviews and impress audience even after three weeks of its release.
The film collected around 4 crores in its first week, breaking previous box office records made by other animated films in Pakistan. In its second week, The Donkey King raked in 3.75 crores approximately. However, in its third week, the film has become the highest grossing animated film produced in Pakistan and has raked in a total of whopping 13 crores.
