RIYADH: Airforce drama, Parwaaz Hai Junoon, featuring Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir and Hania Aamir in the lead has done exceptionally well across the world, becoming one of Pakistan’s highest grossing film. And in a sort of firsts, the film has also released commercially in Saudi Arabia.
To celebrate this occasion, HUM Films organised a special premiere of the film, attended by the lead cast of the film including Hamza and Hania and CEO Hum Network Duraid Qureshi. Several notable dignitaries including Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Culture and Information HE Dr Awwad S Alawwad, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan HE Nawaf Saeed Bin Al Malkiy, Ambassador of Pakistan, Advisor to the Minister of Information Fahim Bin Hamed Al Khaled and Minister of State Zartaj Gul were also in attendance.
According to a press release, the attendees were impressed by the film’s “fascinating visuals, picturesque beauty of Pakistan and engaging script which presented a perfect blend of action, thrill, romance and patriotism.”
On October 5, 2018, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry had shared that the film will be screened in Saudi Arabia on October 11.
The announcement had come days after Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to air each other’s content. According to the memorandum finalised between Fawad Chaudhry and his Saudi counterpart Dr Awad bin Saleh, Pakistani movies and dramas will be screened in Saudi Arabia and vice versa.
However, it has been noted that before PHJ is not the first Pakistani film to screen in Saudi Arabia. Back in May, the Hareem Farooq – Ali Rehman Khan starrer Parchi had a private screening in the Kingdom and an MoU was signed between IHA Entertainment and Saudi Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Matab Bin Thenayan Bin Muhammad in Riyadh.
The commercial release of PHJ is indeed a momentous occasion for the fledgling local film industry which constantly needs new markets for its growth. PHJ’s public premiere will be held next week.
Produced under the banner of Momina and Duraid Films, PHJ is written by Farhat Ishtiaq and marked the directorial debut of Haseeb Hasan. The film boasts a stellar cast including Hamza Ali Abbasi, Hania Amir, Ahad Raza Mir, Shaz Khan, Kubra Khan, Shafaat Ali Khan, Marina Khan, Hina Bayat Khwaja, Asif Raza Mir, Saad Kazi and others.
