Three films including Durj, Daal Chawal and Kaaf Kangana will hit cinemas this October
Most filmmakers in Pakistan decide to release their movies during the Eid holidays because, obviously, it’s a safe bet. Like last year, this year saw the release of multiple films on Eid ul Fitr (Wrong No 2, Chhalawa) as well as Eid ul Azha (Superstar, Parey Hut Love, Heer Maan Ja). However, there are quite a few films that are lined up for release in the last quarter of 2019. While we aren’t sure of Tich Button, Maula Jatt and Sarmad’s Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha, there are at least three films – Durj, Daal Chawal and Kaaf Kangana – that are coming out next month.
Here is all you need to know about these films that haven’t started with their promotions yet.
Daal Chawal
The first of the three films is Dawal Chawal, releasing on October 4. Directed by debutant Awais Khan, it is co-produced by Akbar Nasir Khan and Syed Asad Ali.
The official trailer of the film launched last month and highlights the contributions and sacrifices made by the police force in the line of duty.
The film tackles pertinent issues such as extremism, terrorism, injustice and inflation, among other themes. The upcoming social drama is based on true events and is set in the backdrop of urban Lahore.
According to the film’s official Facebook handle, “Daal Chaawal is based on the remarkable story of a struggling young man, Ahmed (essayed by Ahmed Sufyan) and woman, Sonia (essayed by Momina Iqbal), who have high aspirations to not only succeed but also to fight against injustice.”
The film features veteran actors Salman Shahid and Shafqat Cheema, as well as newcomers Ahmed Sufiyan and Momina Iqbal, in prominent roles.
Durj
Actor and director Shamoon Abbasi’s upcoming film Durj has been in the news for quite some time. The upcoming suspense thriller, which made it to the 72nd edition of Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, is scheduled to release globally in select countries including US, UK, Canada, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar on October 11, while it will release in Pakistan on October 18.
With the trailer out already, we know that Durj is based on true events and highlights the issue of cannibalism in Pakistan. Shamoon Abbasi and Sherry Shah, who have undergone major transformation to achieve a certain look for the film, star in lead roles. Besides Shamoon, Durj features Myra Khan, Nouman Javaid and Majid Khan (Dodi) in important roles.
“Durj is based on a historical criminal act that has occurred numerous times all around the world. We researched thoroughly and picked up incidents that took place in Pakistan and then turned it into a suspense film,” Abbasi told Instep in an earlier interview, adding that major parts of the film have been shot in deserts, caves and mountains.
By the looks of it, we haven’t seen any such thing on the big screen in Pakistan before and we hope Durj sets a benchmark.
Kaaf Kangana
Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s directorial debut Kaaf Kangana, which features Sami Khan and Eshal Fayyaz in lead roles, was initially slated to release on Eid ul Azha this year. However, according to latest reports the film – which is an ‘intense but incomplete love story of 1947 awaiting to be completed in 2019’ – is all set to hit the big screen on October 25.
In an earlier interview with Instep, the writer-director, who is known for penning blockbuster film Punjab Nahi Jaungi, shared that Kaaf Kangana’s performances, script and music are the things that set it apart. “The film is an intense love story that is connected to the unfortunate past,” he informed.
Going by the film’s trailer that released a couple of months back, it looks like a period film about cross-border love. Sami Khan essays the character of a Pakistani-Muslim guy who is in love with Kangana (played by Eshal Fayyaz) – a Sikh-Indian girl.
According to Sami, we will see another trailer and teasers in the coming days, before the film releases while he will soon begin promoting the film across the country.
Made in collaboration with the ISPR, the film also features Sajid Hassan, Shafqat Cheema, Ayesha Omar and Fiza Ali in key roles.
