KARACHI (Sept 05, 2014): Filmwala Pictures, owned by Fizza Ali Meerza and Mehdi Ali, has announced to release its debut feature film “Na Maloom Afraad” on coming Eid-ul-Azha in October this year. Na Maloom Afraad will be distributed by Eveready Pictures and Hum Films across Pakistan.
The release will pitch “Na Maloom Afraad” against the biggest Bollywood flicks — Shahid Kapoor/ Shradha Kapoor-starrer “Haider” and Hrithik Roshan/Katrina Kaif-starrer “Bang Bang”
— both releasing this Eid-ul-Azha in Pakistan.
As regards the challenge these films from across the border would pose to the release of a Pakistani flick, the producers of “Na Maloom Afraad” are rather confident to do great business on local circuits and multiplexes across the country.
One reason of our claim of doing well against upcoming Bollywood bigwigs lies in our absolute belief in NMA being an original film with a great storyline and captivating performances. But the bigger reason lies in our patriotic zeal, for we are quite sure that the rising Pakistani cinema can give the toughest time now to foreign films anytime anywhere. On this Eid-ul-Azha, this will be the first big hit of Pakistani cinema, much like Bilal Lashari’s Waar — that did toe- crashing business of more than 20 crores last year on the same occasion.
“Na Maloom Afraad” is a comedy thriller — a roller coaster of a story that revolves around the life of three reckless and struggling men chasing down their ambitions and saving their lives. They are brought together by one incident which makes their not-so-simple-life into a thrilling roller-coaster ride of numerous ironic twist and turns. It is not a regular news story of Karachi, though our characters in this film by same title do take on the garb of being Na Maloom Afraad — like the terminology suggests.
It is a completely Made-in-Pakistan film — in every aspect of it, including script, music, cast, etc. But do remember that this is not a documentary or a film about social issues. Quite contrary to a misconceived belief, Na Maloom Afraad is a hands-down entertainer, a full-fledged situational comedy, set in the genre of thriller, that will bring you to chuckle and giggle, make you laugh sometimes and, most of the times draws smile on your faces.
The cast of this heavy budgeted venture for the big screen include: Javed Sheikh, Fahad Mustafa, Mohsin Abbass Haider, Urwa Hocane, Kubra Khan, Mehwish Hayat and Salman Shahid.
“Na Maloom Afraad” is directed by the young and promising filmmaker Nabeel Qureshi whose body of work includes ad films for television, telefilms for Geo and a number of music videos. His most acclaimed work includes Pandora and The President for BNN (Geo News) as well as many ad films for major brands in Pakistan. Mr. Qureshi has been called by media and critics alike a filmmaker of fresh and original ideas for his work in the entertainment industry in the last 10 years.
“Na Maloom Afraad” is produced by a visionary filmmaker Fizza Ali Meerza, an acclaimed art director for many ad films as well as TV serials. Ms. Meerza produced a critically acclaimed drama serial Mora Piya for Geo a few years back as well. She recently won an award for Best Art Director at Tarang Film Awards for the remake of Armaan for television; the film starred Fawad Khan & Amina Shaikh in lead roles. In her early years as budding filmmakers she received wide attention for two short films for Kara Film Festival — that marked the arrival of a new voice in digital storytelling destined to change the course of filmmaking in Pakistan.
The screenplay and story of “Na Maloom Afraad” is penned by both Ms. Meerza and Mr. Qureshi. The film is shot by the famed director of photography Rana Kamran.
The film’s background score is composed by the famed duo of Shani-Kami. The album consists of nine (9) soundtracks, out of which 7 have been composed by Shani-Kami, while one each by Vicky Haider and Naqash Haider. The music is set to release on September 05, 2014.
The film’s title track is sung by the legendary Sajjad Ali, while a romantic song is sung by the sensational Sara Raza.
Renowned lyricist Sabir Zafar has written a number of songs for the album, while the much- hyped song Billi, which is filmed on Mehwish Hayat and sung by Saima Iqbal, is penned by Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi.
The story of Na Maloom Afraad is set in Karachi, around the normal routine of life of its residents. It is as original as Karachi itself has been — in its chaos and madness. Our story is relevant to problems faced by our urban masses on an almost daily basis. Its script as well its visual is rooted in urban feel and flavor — the use of slang, the depiction of cityscape, the chaos of everyday and everything, about it, is relevant today.
