Lahore Se Aagey — ‘things will get better’
KARACHI: Like all star-studded glitzy events, the premiere of the film Lahore Se Aagey brought together a host of big and small screen artists and technicians at Nueplex Cinema on Thursday evening.
The red carpet was laid out on the floor which is a level below the multiplex where reporters from many a TV channel and newspaper had gathered since 7pm. The star cast of the movie, namely Saba Qamar and Yasir Hussain, came fashionably late. Prior to them, many other artists and showbiz luminaries –– Anwar Maqsood, Ahmed Ali Butt, Janan Malik, to name a few –– came earlier than them, keeping journalists’ and cameramen busy. Nadia Hussain was one of the first ones to arrive. Being in showbiz for a long time now, she engaged the media sharing her optimism for the Pakistan film industry.
After 90 minutes of camera flashing and the usual exchange of pleasantries, the celebrities, the well-heeled and members of the media, who had the invitation to the premiere, went upstairs to see the film. (Some electronic media reporters were found cribbing about not getting the proper invites to the screening, something that the event management companies should take note of, because if they are requested to cover the red carpet razzmatazz, they should also be requested to see the show for which the event is organised.)
Talking to Dawn about the loss that cinema owners are incurring ever since Indian films have been stopped from getting screened in Pakistan, film actor Mustafa Qureshi said it did not matter. He was hopeful that things would get better.
It was heartening to see amidst a boisterous crowd of youngsters and showbiz glitterati, an old woman holding a walker and moving slowly towards the cinema hall. Sitting next to this writer, she said she was renowned actor Asif Reza Mir’s mother. (Asif’s father the late Raza Mir was a distinguished cameraman — director of photography.) She said in recent times she had seen only one film, Manto. She said she liked it. She said she lived in Lahore and because of old age could not go to film premieres as much as she would like to. Well, her presence added a touch of grace to the excessive razzle-dazzle.
Lahore Se Aagey was released on Friday. It’s written by Yasir Hussain and directed by Wajahat Rauf.
Related Stories
” 
” 
” 
” 
