PHOTO:BIN ROYE FACEBOOK PAGE
KARACHI: It is usually this time of the year when Pakistani cinema seems the most alive with multiple movies, one after the other being released on Eid.
With Eid-ul-Fitr only a few months away and the month of Ramazan just around the corner, film producers and exhibitors have already started picking up the pace ensuring their movie gathers the right amount of steam heading into its release.
A similar case can be made for the forthcoming romantic-drama Bin Roye. The movie which boasts of a stellar cast in Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan, Javed Sheikh, Junaid Khan and Armeena Rana Khan is already being touted as one of the biggest films to release this year.
Read: Mahira Khan and Humayun Saeed's Bin Roye likely to steal your hearts
During a press conference on Monday, the cast and crew got together to share their experience and expectations from the movie.
Mahira Khan termed Bin Roye as her first film'. Despite having made her feature film debut with Bol, the Humsafar actor recalled how she had been a part of the project from its inception.
"Ever since I was narrated the story, I've been attached to it. Even while they were casting actors and scouting for locations, I was still very much a part of it," said Mahira.
PHOTO: HASSAAN CHOUDARY/EXPRESS
The actor who is busy filming for her Bollywood debut Raees opposite Shah Rukh Khan these days was full of praise for the cast and crew of the movie, telling how they had a brilliant rapport through the filming process.
When asked who was a better co-star: Humayun Saeed or Shah Rukh Khan, Mahira jokingly responded, "Since Humayun is called the Shah Rukh Khan of Pakistan, that makes Shah Rukh Khan the Humayun Saeed of India."
Mahira Khan. PHOTO: HASSAAN CHOUDARY/EXPRESS
Humayun Saeed, who is nicknamed as the King of Romance' in the Pakistani entertainment industry will be play the male protagonist in the movie.
He said the strongest point of movie was its story. "Momina [Duraid] as a producer has taken care of every facet of the film be it the wardrobe or the sets...," he said.
Read: I can't wait to see both my films rule the box office: Humayun Saeed
The actor believes the film would showcase the Pakistani film and television industry's real strength, which has always been, drama'.
Humayun, who was quite animated and evocative throughout the press conference, even joked that "since it is a family-oriented film, Hamza Ali Abbasi definitely won't have to post a status about it on Facebook."
Bin Roye, which has been produced by MD Films and Hum Films, has been shot at multiple locations, including Karachi, Dubai and the scenic locations of Santa Barbara and San Francisco over a period of two years.
Co-directed by Momina Duraid alongside Shahzad Kahsmiri, the film will also be broadcast as a television serial.
However, the making of the film was not at all without obstacles, with director Haissam Hussain exiting the project at an early stage.
Badar Ikram, the senior vice president of Hum Films said contrary to popular belief there were no differences as, "Haissam had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts."
Co-director and producer Momina explained Haissam directed a significant portion of the serial but only filmed a few scenes for the movie. Besides, two songs in the movie have also been choreographed by different directors with Asim Raza and Sarmad Sultan taking over the director's chair.
To a question about why the producers had undertaken a risk by releasing a romantic-drama like Bin Roye on an occasion like Eid against comedy films such Wrong No., Halla Gulla and Karachi Se Lahore, Momina acknowledged this was good omen for the country's film industry, and that all sorts of movies should be released be it a comedy of drama.
"The movie is ideally-suited for Eid as it is a love story," she said. "Not only would the movie make you cry but will also make you smile as well."
The movie's music launch will take place at the Bridal Couture Week on June 7 with the producers also planning for a simultaneous international release in seven countries.
Bin Roye is the second film to be produced by Hum Films after the 2014 blockbuster, Na Maloom Afraad.
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I can't wait to see both my films rule the box office: Humayun Saeed
By Sameen HassanPublished: May 5, 2015
KARACHI: Few individuals rule the airwaves for decades. Fewer still significantly alter the course of Pakistani showbiz. Hardly anyone can manage to remain humble at the same time. Humayun Saeed did all three.
After a brief hiatus, Humayun Saeed is all set to return to the big screen with not just one but two upscale movies and a drama serial. The much awaited Mahira and Humayun starrer Bin Roye is slated to release on Eid ul Fitr and Humayun Saeed's home production, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani will be released on Eid ul Azha.
"I am waiting eagerly for the release of both movies. Both of them are very different from each other and have been made by experienced film makers. I can't wait to see them rule the box office," Humayun Saeed told The Express Tribune.
Talking about Bin Roye, Humayun Saeed said that the film is a serious romantic drama. "It takes you back to the era of Nadeem and Shabnam when family stories ruled the big screen. The story is told from Mahira's perspective and my role adapts accordingly."
The film also stars Zeba Bakhtiyar, Javed Sheikh, Junaid Khan and Armeena Khan in her debut role.
Humayun explained that the storyline is similar to that of a serial, and he expects it to hit the audiences on several emotional levels. "It is a complete family story and is sure to resonate with the emotions of the masses."
Bin Roye is the brainchild of the team that brought the blockbuster drama serial Humsafar to screen. Produced by Momina Duraid, the film is based on the novel Bin Roye Aansoo by Farhat Ishtiaq, who had also written the novel on which Humsafar was based.
Denying the similarity of Bin Roye's story with Humsafar, Humayun said that the story is completely different. "There is no resemblance between Bin Roye and Humsafar. The story of Bin Roye is much more mature."
Humayun Saeed refused to reveal any information regarding the plot, saying that he'd rather keep it a surprise for who haven't read the book, but, going by the novel, Bin Roye appears to be the story of a younger sister being forced into a marriage with her brother-in-law after his wife, her elder sister, passes away.
The film will later be turned into a drama serial, which will be aired on television in December. Humayun confirmed that the drama will also share the same name and cast, with only minor changes to fit the story for television audiences.
Humayun Saeed's second flick, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani is also slated to release later this year. The movie unlike Bin Roye is a comedy drama penned by Vasay Chaudary.
JPNA boasts a star studded cast including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Vasay Chaudary, Ahmad Ali Butt, Sohai Ali Abro, Mehwish Hayat, Ayesha Khan, Humayun Saeed, Javed Sheikh and Omar Sharif.
Talking about JPNA, Humayun Saeed told The Express Tribune that the movie is a family oriented comedy masala movie, a genre which has not yet been fully explored in Pakistan.
Responding to the criticism raised towards the movie promoting western values, Humayun said it's a hardcore Pakistani movie. "Trailers are often misleading. They are released only to create word-of-mouth publicity, and we have successfuly accomplished that." Humayun said.
He added, "When people watch the movie, they will know how Pakistani it is. The jokes, the story, everything has been inspired by the life of Pakistani families,"
Commenting on whether the film bears any resemblance with Bollywood films, Humayun said, "The genre of JPNA is different. It is nothing like Zindagi Na Milay Gi Dobara. If I had made a movie like Zindagi Na Milay Gi Dobara, no one would have called it a Bollywood copy. It's just the glamour that makes people believe that its Bollywoodish'."
He added, "People try to compare everything we do with Bollywood. When I released Mein Houn Shahid Afridi (MHSA), people believed that it would be a Pakistani version of Chak de India, but their opinions changed after they watched the film,"
Revealing details about the music of the film, Humayun mentioned that the film has six songs in total, including a title song done by Ahmad Ali Butt, three songs done by Shaani, one by Sahir Ali Bagga and another one by Shuja Haider.
Humayun did not seem concerned about competition, and seemed confident that his movies would make a mark at the box office. "I am confident they will do well," he said.
Humayun also revealed the team plans to carry promotional campaigns in colleges and universities in the coming weeks.
Humayun Saeed is also starring with Shaan and Adnan Siddiqi in Hasan Raza's action packed Yalghaar, which was initially scheduled to release in December but has now been delayed until next year.
"I used to do one film in a year. It's the first time I am doing two of them, both being very different. So, we decided to delay Yalghaar for the next year," Humayun explained.
Talking about his expected project, Malik a story about business tycoon Malik Riaz, Humayun said that the idea has been dropped for now, and might be re-started under a different name. Urwa Hocane was also due to star in the movie.
Humayun Saeed also reminisced about his time in the Pakistani entertainment industry. "Twenty years in the industry has been a fulfilling experience. From acting in television dramas to producing them and then stepping into film making, I have explored as many options I could in the industry."
Humayun also talked about his future plans after Bin Roye and JPNA. The actor revealed that he was focusing on making movies in the recent years but has gone back to working on television and will be seen in two serials scheduled to release around December. "One of them is Nadeem Baig's Dillagi and the other is Khaleel ur Rehman Qamar's Mere Pas Tum Ho," Humayun revealed.
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Mahira's Instep Interview:
You've said no to so many films, why did you agree to Bin Roye?
"Bin Roye was offered to me right after Humsafar and Fawad was meant to do it. But he went on to do Khoobsurat. I had a choice and I decided that right now this is the best thing I could do. I liked the story. It had this one scene that kept me awake at night and drove me insane and I couldn't not say yes."
Does Bin Roye run the risk of looking more like a tele-drama than a feature film?
"It's a full blown feature film," Mahira replies, without revealing any details. "I love commercial cinema. I like watching a Ram Leela. I like my dance and song. And I have danced in Bin Roye," she gives her fans something to watch out for. "I've given Bin Roye everything and I'm hoping that people enjoy something different coming from Pakistani cinema."
But the film is also being turned into a drama serial?
"Yes," Mahira sighs. "Drama makes channels more money. Every channel wants to sign a deal for two dramas and a film. Bin Roye was supposed to be a drama and then was turned into a film. First the film will release and then consequently the drama will release. It's a business idea that they want to try out, though personally as an actor it's not something I enjoy. I've given this film my blood, sweat and tears. We often joke that this film is a Titanic, a Mughal e Azam; we've been making it forever." And let's hope it's just as successful.
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