Films

Fawad, Mahira talk about the hopes and story behind Neelofar

The cast of the upcoming Pakistani romance Neelofar is buzzing with excitement—mixed with a little nervousness—as they prepare for the film’s release.

At a recent media junket, lead actors Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan, along with Behroze Sabzwari, Sarwat Gillani, Madiha Imam and Atiqa Odho, shared their hopes for how audiences will connect with the story.

“Sometimes in life, you get projects you’re happy to be even a small part of,” Mahira said. Fawad added, “I learned a lot from this film. I made many mistakes too, but I hope you’ll like it when you watch it.”

Veteran actor Behroze Sabzwari expressed his own joy: “My heart tells me I’m truly happy to be part of this film.” Madiha Imam and Atiqa Odho echoed that the project was made with a lot of love for the lead pair.

Written and directed by Ammar Rasool, Neelofar stars Fawad, Mahira and Madiha in central roles. Several cast members — Mahira, Fawad, Behroze and Atiqa — previously worked together in the hit drama Humsafar. The film is also co-produced by Fawad Khan and marks his third on-screen collaboration with Mahira after Humsafar and The Legend of Maula Jatt.

Behroze welcomed the film’s wider international release, joking that if a movie comes out only in Pakistan, “5% watch it, and even 2% of those watch it for free.”

Mahira admitted she feels a mix of excitement and anxiety. “There is happiness, and also a strange feeling. I don’t know what will happen with this movie. Destiny will decide,” she said. She praised the producer for bringing the team together and noted the strong chemistry among the cast. “We always have love and respect for each other.”

Set in modern Lahore, Neelofar follows Mansoor Ali Khan, a world-famous Urdu novelist returning home for a literary festival. There, he meets Neelofar — a blind woman who “sees” through sound, scent and silence. Their connection slowly transforms how he views life, love and art. The film explores gentle, old-school romance in a fast-paced digital age.

Mahira said most of her scenes were with Fawad, Behroze and Navid Shahzad. Reflecting on working with Fawad again, she said, “We changed as actors, but because we hadn’t worked together in so long, it was a lot of fun.”

Fawad described the film as “a very romantic story” about two people and the quiet world around them. He said the movie is close to his heart, calling it an “epic romantic film.” Both actors agreed they enjoy films with an old-school feel.

Fawad also discussed why production took so long, explaining that shooting stopped during Covid-19 out of safety concerns. “Many people lost their lives. It felt like the responsible thing to pause,” he said.

When asked if she expects any scene to go viral, Mahira laughed and said such things can’t be predicted. “If we knew, we would have made a video already. Trends are unpredictable.” She added that if scenes from Neelofar do become viral or inspire TikToks and reels, she would be thrilled.

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Fahad Mustafa & Mahira Khan Unmask First ‘ALBM’ Glimpse

Superstar Fahad Mustafa has set social media ablaze with the first cryptic look at his upcoming film ‘ALBM,’ confirming the full teaser featuring Mahira Khan will debut on January 3, 2026.

In an 11-second Instagram clip, the duo appears wearing striking red masks, staring intensely as the camera zooms in—fueling fan speculation about the mysterious plot and tone. Mustafa captioned the post: “Behind the masks are faces you know… and a story you don’t.”

The actor recently announced the wrap of filming, describing it as “months of passion, precision and storytelling,” and signaling the start of the promotional countdown. Fans flooded the comments, eagerly anticipating his on-screen reunion with Mahira Khan and predicting major buzz for Pakistani cinema.

While details remain tightly guarded, the film—written and directed by Bilal Altaf Khan, with comedian Tabish Hashmi in a key role—has already sparked industry talk of a possible Eid-ul-Azha release. For now, audiences can only anticipate the steady rollout of hints toward one of the year’s most awaited films.

Films

AI Meets Storytelling: Pakistan Unveils The Next Salahuddin

The premiere, held at Karachi’s Nueplex Cinema, attracted media representatives, cultural icons, and distinguished guests, showcasing a bold step toward the future of filmmaking.

Written and directed by Farhan Siddiqui, the film blends advanced technology with a socially conscious narrative. Veteran producer Ustad Asim Ismail highlighted that while the story draws inspiration from historical events, it remains relevant to contemporary social realities.

Notably, the production did not involve any live actors, physical locations, or traditional sets, yet audiences experience the story seamlessly, unaware of its AI-generated origins.

“AI-based filmmaking offers unprecedented efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness,” Farhan Siddiqui explained. “There are no location issues, no scheduling conflicts, and no risks associated with on-site shoots. The entire film was produced from a single room.”

The 55-minute feature is structured for younger viewers, adopting a fast-paced, reel-like format to maintain continuous engagement. Farhan Siddiqui emphasized that the film aims to make audiences laugh, cry, and reflect, while inspiring young people to believe in their ability to effect meaningful change.

Producer Asim Ismail described The Next Salahuddin as a voice for peace, human rights, and solidarity, with a particular focus on the plight of Palestinians. He hailed the project as a historic achievement that could establish Pakistan’s creative identity on the global stage.

Speaking at the event, writer and director Talal Farhat urged emerging filmmakers to move beyond stereotypical narratives centered on violence, feudal conflicts, or formulaic family dramas.

“In today’s digital age, technology and artificial intelligence shape human relationships faster than ever,” Talal Farhat remarked. “Avoiding AI is no longer an option. Filmmakers must embrace it to innovate and redefine storytelling.”

The film will be released in multiple languages, including Urdu, English, Bengali, and Arabic, catering to both domestic and international audiences.

Plans are also underway to submit The Next Salahuddin to an international film competition in France in March 2026, along with screenings in Malaysia.

The premiere of The Next Salahuddin represents a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s film industry, uniting history, social messaging, and artificial intelligence to usher in a new era of storytelling.

Films

Sindh Minister Announces ‘Mera Lyari’ To Showcase Lyari’s True Spirit

Sharjeel Memon condemns Indian propaganda, celebrates Lyari’s culture & peace

Dhurandhar, an espionage thriller starring Ranveer Singh, has sparked widespread backlash for its negative portrayal of Pakistan, particularly the Lyari area of Karachi.

The film’s depiction of Lyari as a war-torn, violent region led to its ban in Pakistan, with the government condemning it as harmful political propaganda intended to tarnish the country’s image.

Sharjeel Inam Memon, Sindh’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, strongly condemned Dhurandhar on the social media platform X. He accused the film of intentionally vilifying both Lyari and Pakistan, labeling it as a deliberate attempt to mislead global audiences.

Sharjeel Inam Memon asserted that Lyari is a thriving hub of culture, peace, talent, and resilience, far from the violent image painted in the Indian film. He revealed that Mera Lyari will be released next month to offer a more accurate, inspiring narrative of the area’s true legacy.

“Lyari is a region of peace, prosperity, and pride,” Memon said, expressing confidence that the film will correct the misrepresentation of the region fostered by Dhurandhar.

The announcement was accompanied by the release of two official posters for Mera Lyari, featuring celebrated Pakistani actors such as Nadeem Ejaz, Samina Ahmed, and Dananeer Mobeen.

The film, produced by Ayesha Omar and directed by Abu Aleeha, promises to showcase the unity, culture, and achievements of Lyari’s people, offering a fresh, positive perspective of the region.