We’ve got an unprecedented stretch of holidays coming up and while family & festivities are on the schedule, so should be catching up on your favourite shows.
Pakistanis are gearing up for more than a week-long Eid ul Azha holidays, given that the government has announced four offs (from Monday to Thursday) and we’re quite sure that most of us will be taking ‘National Sick Day’ off on Friday (August 16). Attach those to the weekends and we have a whopping nine days on our hands! Many people, keeping the holidays in mind, have already left the country (we’ll get to see their adventures on Instagram) and the rest of us will be happy as long as we have electricity and the internet.
There are reports of storms brewing next week, you know.
While festivities and rituals will keep us busy, we will eventually need some relief from the family affairs. A good way to unwind would be catching up on entertainment, though we admit, some people consider their families entertaining enough not to need any relief.
Anyway, those who have paid for Netflix subscriptions can indulge in binge-watching their favourite shows but those who haven’t, can visit cinemas near them as three local films are releasing this Eid, in addition to a couple of Hollywood films for those who want a feel of the west. And, if you don’t plan to spend any money, then there are multiple plays and telefilms that will be airing on television during Eid days. Absolutely free!
For cinema goers
In Pakistan, the three films releasing this Eid ul Azha will give you plenty of options to choose from. Mahira Khan-starrer Superstar, Heer Maan Ja that features Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan in lead roles and Asim Raza’s Parey Hut Love that features an ensemble cast are hitting cinemas nationwide.
Besides those, Yasir Nawaz’s film Wrong Number 2 that features Neelam Muneer and Sami Khan in key roles is also running in select cinemas across the country. Saqib Malik’s cinematic debut, Baaji, on the other hand is also showing in cinemas during Eid ul Azha. The film stars Meera Jee, Amna Ilyas, Ali Kazmi, Osman Khalid Butt and Nayyar Ejaz in prominent roles.
In addition, a few Hollywood films including Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, The Lion King, Dora and the Lost City of Gold and The Angry Birds Movie 2 are also running in local cinemas this Eid.
Tickets are expensive so unless your aunts and uncles have showered you with Eidee, choose wisely.
What’s new on TV
Those who don’t want to head out to the cinema to watch any film(s) can catch the telefilms that are scheduled to air during Eid days. The list includes romantic-comedy Maamu Ki Dulhan, which marks Mahnoor Baloch’s return to television and is directed by Kashif Saleem. Written by Faiza Iftikhar, it features Aijaz Aslam, Azfar Rehman and model turned actress Sadaf Kanwal in important roles.
Another telefilm, titled Raajay Ki Raaji, starring Yumna Zaidi and Shahzad Sheikh in lead roles, will also go on-air. Written by Misbah Ali Syed and directed by Angeline Malik, it features veteran actor Saba Pervaiz, Khalid Anum and model and actress Nadia Hussain among others.
Besides Eid telefilms, you can also watch comedy plays such as Ahsan Khan and Ramsha Khan-starrer Shahrukh Ki Saaliyan and Dolly Darling that features Aijaz Aslam and Nadia Khan in key roles. A situational comedy, Shahrukh Ki Saaliyan revolves around the love story of a young couple and the difficulties they face in order to tie the knot. On the other hand, Dolly Darling is about a married couple, Mustaqeem (Aijaz Aslam) and Dolly (Nadia Khan); Dolly tries to win her husband’s heart but ends up making blunders, leading to comical situations. These comedy plays will tickle your funny bones.
What to watch online
Who doesn’t love to binge-watch online? And Eid is a perfect time to catch up on your favourite shows that you are missing out on. Some of the must-watch programs are Season 3 of Money Heist, which revolves around an assault on the Bank of Spain and is available on Netflix, while you can also watch Orange is the New Black, Season 7, among others.
You can also turn to Netflix for Pakistani films or dramas that you may have missed out on. Balu Mahi to Moor, 7 Din Mohabbat In, Chalay Thay Saath, Ho Mann Jahaan, Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hay, Rangreza, Wrong No, Waar, 021, Dukhtar, Na Maloom Afraad and Cake are just some of the titles available.
It doesn’t stop at films though.
Popular drama serials like Sadqay Tumharay, Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai are also available to binge-watch. So this Eid, you can learn more about the revival of Pakistani cinema in the last decade by watching the movies or watching the dramas, if that’s your thing.
