Armaan Big Venture For Small Screen

Seventh Sky Entertainment is preparing to release the remake of 1966 classic film Armaan as a tele-film, featuring heartthrob Fawad Khan and gorgeous, award-winning actor Aamina Sheikh this April. Produced by Abdullah Kadwani and directed by Anjum Shahzad, the big budget tele-film is meant to reconnect the audience with Pakistani cinema, culture and society. The soon-to-be released venture is part of a larger project conducted by Engro Foods, which hopes to revive some Lollywood classic hits and bring them to life for the young generation. It is set to be 90 minutes long and will include four songs, including a rendition of Ahmed Rushdi's Akele Na Jana by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The original film was directed by Pervaiz Malik and produced and penned by Waheed Murad, who also played the lead role opposite Zeba. Armaan was the defining moment for the legendary actor and the film industry.

"The idea was to remake Armaan for today's audience," says Kadwani. "Also, to make sure that the essence and the charm of the original still remains."

Selecting two main characters was the easiest part for Kadwani. Excited about the prospect of on-screen chemistry between Fawad and Aamina, Kadwani says they are similar to the classic Waheed-Zeba duo. "Fawad is the closest actor to Waheed Murad," says Kadwani. "They are similar in looks and style and Aamina is brilliant in her acting." He also feels that they will also do justice to their roles.

Marking the completion of seven years for Seventh Sky Entertainment, founded by Humayun Saeed and Kadwani, the production company is ready to move onto bigger projects. Kadwani explains that Seventh Sky Entertainment's purpose is to bring a different form of content for the viewers. Following their success, the production company now wants to go into film.

Kadwani, also involved in the production of Chambaili, says Seventh Sky Entertainment made a promise to support the Pakistani film industry. He feels that Armaan is a positive attempt to give viewers what they want: good entertainment with relevance.

"We are confident about this initiative, and now it's up to the audience," says Kadwani. "We have more projects similar in the pipeline." Kadwani and Saeed say that their production company is dedicated to its part to revive Pakistani film industry.