Dubai - Pakistani comedy film, Na Maloom Afraad's cast talks to Khaleej Times about the film's success, sequel plans, expectations from audiences in the UAE and the actors' future plans.
The cast of 'Na Maloom Afraad ' (unknown people) is no stranger to success after their film's phenomenal success in Pakistan and abroad, particularly among the Pakistani diaspora.
As the cast gears up for the film's UAE release, they sat down with Khaleej Times to talk about the film's success, sequel plans, expectations from audiences in the UAE and the actors' future plans.
Speaking about the film's success, Fizza Ali Meerza, the film's producer (Filmwala Pictures), said: "The film ran for 200 days in Pakistani cinemas, which was huge for a Pakistani film and had done great business.
According to reports, NMA had grossed more than Rs140 million by the end of its run.
Considering that the film had released in 2014 during Eid Ul Azha and is available on DVD too, the producer said that they realised it's late as the industry wasn't prepared for a simultaneous international release back in 2014, but added that the movie is 'made for a cinematic experience', so moviegoers would enjoy watching it in the cinema.
But now that the movie has done well, we are ready to bring it to the UAE. "Not many have seen the pirated prints online or the DVD, but the word of mouth will help bring movie-goers to the cinema."
Talking about the sequel, Meerza said they were working on the film's synopsis and will reveal more details in due time, including the location and plot details, "But as of now we aren't working in the film, it might take us two more films to get to NMA's sequel," she added.
Story:
Troubled by circumstances, three dream-chasing men devise an ingenious plan to have a better life in Pakistan's port city of Karachi. Little did they know that they are in for a ride of their lives. Crossing paths with a number of colourful characters; from a tough-talking gangster to Russian mafia. Mayhem ensues!
(Source: IMDb)
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The 'cat' is out of the bag
The film's item number 'Billi', shot on actor Mehwish Hayat Khan, had raised quite a few eyebrows in conservative Pakistan, and speaking about her experience on shooting for it, Khan said that the song helped her come out of her shell.
"I knew that I would be criticised for the song but I do things from my heart. The song was not shot in a vulgar way and is now a super hit. The song has become my claim to fame now and opened up many avenues for me."
"She says MEOW instead of salaam these days," Meerza joked.
India release?
Commenting on whether the team planned to release the movie in India, the producer, Meerza, said that India is a big market but releasing [Pakistani] movies there is very difficult, mainly due to the problems between the two countries.
"I expect Indians and Pakistanis, living in other countries, to watch and enjoy the movie. As of now there were no plans to release the movie in India," she added.
Bollywood dreams
One of the film's protagonists and a TV star in his own right in Pakistan, Fahad Mustafa, commenting on his plans of working in Bollywood, said that the Pakistani film industry was flourishing as of now and this was the right time to be making films back home.
"We must show some faith in our industry and you never know, maybe in the coming days Bollywood would want to work with Pakistan - could be the other way around."
TV actor and NMA cast member Urwa Hocane, whose sister Mawra Hocane has already embarked on her Bollywood career after enjoying a stint on television in Pakistan, said that she would love to work anywhere including Bollywood, given that the it's a good offer.
"I have no Bollywood plans as such but I would love to work there as I would be proudly representing Pakistan. But as now, my priority is the Pakistan film industry."
Responding to the same question, Khan reiterated Hocane's view and said she would love to work in Bollywood or the US, given that the role is good and with a good banner.
Making his film debut, the young Mohsin Abbas Haider remarked "Entertaining is all I know!", adding that he would love to work across the border but there was no offers on the table as of now.
Favourite scene
Although the movie has proven to be a delightful comedy entertainer, the actors were asked to pick their favourite scenes from the film. What could be said as their 'Na Maloom Afraad' moment, Mustafa said he loved the scene where he was riding around on a bike wearing a burqa (veil) along with veteran co-actor Javed Sheikh.
"As we were riding through areas with embassies around, at one point we were stopped by an under-cover security official, who didn't recognise us in our characters' get-up. We almost got thrashed that day."
Expectations from UAE audiences
The producers and stars hoped the movie would do great business here, despite it's DVD release earlier this year, as they believe the NMA is a movie made for cinema.
Nabeel Qureshi, the film's young director said: "We hope the film does well in the UAE and people come to watch it in the cinema as the movie's DVD release has generated a word-of-mouth buzz.
"Since we intend to make more films after NMA, this film will help create a recall factor - for us as filmmakers - in the audiences' minds. Hopefully, we are aiming for a simultaneous international release for our next film."
Future plans
Riding on the wave of NMA's success, the stars spoke about their future films. Mustafa will be seen next in poet Mir Taqi Mir's biopic 'Mah-e-Meer', starring opposite the gorgeous Iman Ali.
Mohsin, known for his comedic skills, said he had a few offers under consideration but wanted to dabble in serious roles. Khan will be next seen in a multi-starrer called 'Yeh Jawani Phir Nahi Ani' opposite stars such as Humayun Saeed and Hamza Ali Abbasi among others.
Co-produced by Hum Filmwala Pictures, Nabeel Qureshi's directorial debut film stars veteran actor Javed Sheikh, Fahad Mustafa, Mehwish Hayat Khan, Urwa Hocane, Mohsin Abbas Haider and veteran actor Salman Shahid.
NMA releases in UAE's Vox Cinemas today, September 3.
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