HoMannJahaan; releasing January 1st 2016. Trailer pg28; Coke TVC pg29. - Page 13

Karachi

Blithe and bright-coloured, the first look teaser of Ho Mann Jahaan transported us all to a happy place on Wednesday night. In the film, a trio of best friends - Manizae (Mahira Khan),

Nadir (Adeel Hussain) and Arhaan (a handsomely moustached Shehreyar Munawar Siddiqui) - navigates through college life and the real world in pursuit of their passion to become musicians. In the minute-and-a-half teaser, we catch glimpses of their journey between takes of water fights and mehendi dances, railway side reunions and rooftop jams. The film is intrinsically musical, and desi - its nine song soundtrack boasts the best of Pakistani music, from Zeb Bangash, Jimmy Khan and Asrar to Tina Sani, Mai Dhai Band and Abu Muhammad and Fareed Ayaz, among others. Let's make it clear at the outset that there will be no item number in the film.

At the press meet organized at its majestic Frere Hall set - designed after the Mughal-inspired Oberoi Udaivillas in India - where a shaadi scene is situated, Ho Mann Jahan director Asim Raza and seven cast members shared their experiences of making the film.

"I think I had an easier job because I was the singer (of the HMJ trio's band, Kishmish Aur Chwarey, in the film) - Zeb did the singing for me," Mahira shared, while talking to Instep, "I learned to play the guitar a little bit for the role, but not like the boys who went all out with their training. But the real challenge was breaking away from all my previous roles. I'd say my dialogues and they'd say Tone it down. Just be yourself'." Mahira added that she will start shooting for Raees, the film she has signed up for in India, in May.

Shehreyar, who returns to home ground at his alma mater IBA in the film, said that the experience was wonderfully nostalgic. "I graduated two years ago from IBA. All of these memories came flooding back - the assignments that I didn't do on time, the last minute exam cramming. Playing in my own university was great for me because I could draw from my own experiences."

The young actor is also co-producing the film, a striking move so early in his career. But he explains it as a calculated move. "I haven't been doing any acting for the past year and half; instead, I went under the mentorship of Asim Raza. I started as an Assistant Director with him, and worked as a producer as well. I've had a passion for directing, and the past two years have been like film school for me."

It was only last week that we saw the last of Adeel Hussain's vile avatar in Jackson Heights, and he seems to have spun 180 degrees for the HMJ role. Was it hard to shake off Jamshed's character in order to become Nadir, we ask him? "It was hard to shake off, especially since it was my first time playing such a negative character and I had to jump straight into the preparation for the film as soon as Jackson Heights shooting was wound up. But I had great support, so was able to manage it."

Asim Raza said that it's taken him time to make his first film because he was waiting to gather enough friends to make it possible. From his vast pool of friends, he has not only picked up the best of the young lot, but also roped in a few non-actors who we can assume will make a refreshing appearance on-screen. For instance, Gumby makes his acting debut, but doesn't stray too far from his real-life persona. "I make a brief appearance in the film," he revealed, "I replace one of the main musicians for a bit, so my role was pretty much what I do as a drummer. But I'm very camera shy, so my cameo took a lot of convincing from Asim!"

Arshad Mehmood returned to acting as Adeel Hussain's father in HMJ, and had a revelation during shooting: "I am now thinking that I will also make a film and cast Asim in it. That's something I found out during the making of the film... that Asim could do very well as an actor!"

The Ho Mann Jahaan team is hopeful for an Eid ul Azha release. Given that holiday season is chock-a-block with new film releases, the question on some people's mind was whether HMJ had what it takes to beat out Bollywood's looming presence in the box office. But Asim Raza is unfazed. "It's always been my personal opinion that may the best man win. Regardless of the masala and glamour on offer, if we bring substance and content, our film will make its place in the box office. And that's how you compete - in the midst of contenders, not in their absence."