Instep Desk

Local cinema may not have produced too many quality films of late but the quantity of releases is definitely increasing, with each film tapping into a different genre. It’s mid-February and four Pakistani films have already released, including action comedy, Parchi, animated feature Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor, romantic comedy Maan Jao Naa and the most recent Azad, which is a social drama.

While these films opened to mixed reviews and somewhat decent box office numbers, expectations are high from films that are scheduled for release in coming months. Featuring industry’s leading actors, the lineup looks promising. Instep takes a look.

Cake

Following a completely unique route for promotions, Asim Abbasi’s directorial debut Cake will release on March 30th, this year. With Aamina Sheikh, Sanam Saeed and Adnan Malik as the three main characters of the film, Cake has intrigued us since the beginning. From character posters, to the teaser to the official poster of the film, Cake has us hooked due to its unique ways. "It’s a beautiful script and I think that’s the most important thing," Adnan Malik shared with us in a recent interview. "While I was reading the script of Cake I found it incredible and as I read through, it made me emotional and brought tears to my eyes. That’s a rare achievement for a piece of writing."

The film highlights issues surrounding a dysfunctional family and the consequences of hiding truth from family members. It will offer a different take on family and relationships, with a love angle to it too but that’s not integral to the main plot. Apart from the trio, Cake also stars Mikaal Zulfiqar, Hira Hussain, Faris Khalid and Beo Zafar in important roles.

Teefa in Trouble

Starring Ali Zafar as Teefa and Maya Ali as his love interest Anaya, Ahsan Rahim’s Teefa in Trouble is also one of the most talked about films to release in 2018. We got a glimpse of Ali and Maya’s chemistry at the Lux Style Awards last year, where the two performed together, and it seems they will look good together on the big screen. Expected to release on Eid ul Fitr, the upcoming romantic action comedy has been partly shot in Lahore while most part has been filmed in Poland. Given the physical transformation Ali has gone through for the film, looks like Teefa in Trouble will feature some hard-core action sequences. Other than the lead pair, Teefa In Trouble also stars veteran actor Jawed Sheikh, Faisal Qureshi, Mahenur Haider and Fia Khan.

Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2

After the blockbuster first installment, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani director Nadeem Beyg is all set to release Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 this Eid ul Azha. While Humayun Saeed, Ahmed Ali Butt, Uzma Khan and Sarwat Gilani will reprise their roles in the sequel, other actors who have joined the star-studded cast include Fahad Mustafa, Mawra Hocane and Kubra Khan. The first spell of the film has been shot in Turkey while the cast will soon head to Dubai for the second spell. Though expectations from this one are high, given the success of the first part, we will have to wait and see if the film lives up to the hype.

Maula Jatt

Maula Jatt is certainly one of the most anticipated films to come out of local cinema this year. While it features an all-star ensemble cast including Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Humaima Malick and Gohar Rasheed, it is a remake of sorts of the original Maula Jatt that released in 1979 and is being directed by Bilal Lashari. Currently under production, the film will recreate iconic characters like Maula Jatt and Noori Nath essayed by Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi, respectively. The film’s release date hasn’t been announced and the title is yet to be finalized but it is expected to release in the second half of the year.

Saat Din Mohabbat In

Saat Din Mohabbat In, scheduled to release on Eid ul Fitr 2018, counts Sheheryar Munawar and Mahira Khan as the lead pair while the film also stars Ayesha Omar, Jawed Sheikh, Amna Ilyas, Mira Sethi, Aamir Qureshi, Hina Dilpazeer and Adnan Shah Tipu. Written by Fasih Bari Khan, the film is being directed by Farjad Nabi and Meenu Gaur of Zinda Bhaag fame. Sheheryar essays the role of a young man in love who embarks on a quest to find his true love in a crowded Karachi neighbourhood while Mahira will be seen as his love interest. What he goes through and whether he finds his love or not forms the crux of Saat Din Mohabbat In.

Load Wedding

Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s next after the successful Na Maloom Afraad 2, Load Wedding will feature Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat as protagonists who earlier shared the screen space in Actor in Law. Scheduled to release on Eid ul Azha this year, the film will be different from the director-producer duo’s past works, claimed Nabeel in a recent interview, adding that the genre is completely new. While not much has been revealed about the film’s plot and cast so far, it will offer an interesting take on love and also carries important social messages.