'Salakhain' Set New Epoch at Lollywood

With a zest to partake in the unveiling ceremony of a unique movie of its’ own style Salakhain [the Bars]. a proficient limb of the Hindi film stars Raj Babbar and Shatrughan Sinha, both of whom are also well known politicians were in the Punjab Metropolis, Lahore on the onset of this month to participate in the premiere of director Shehzad Rafique's production.

The film's background music has been composed in India and includes songs by Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Kumar Sanu, Shabnam Majeed, Naghmana Jaffri and Zil-e Humma. Babbar, a Lok Sabha MP, who came along with his son Aryan Babbar, attended a dinner at Lahore Gymkhana hosted by the film's producer Khalil Rana and the cast of the movie.

Though Babbar's stood confirmed, media reported that Sinha might accompany him.

Of Salakhain

Salakhain is an action-social film. But, it is not loud like Pakistan's usual action films.

You will find that even Saud, who plays the villain, has given an understated performance.

Meera’s Views

Take Rashid Khawaja, the producer of Salakhain, for instance, Meera elaborates. He relinquished his starched shirts and designer suits for casuals, rose early each day to be with the crew on location at the walled city, and sweated it out with us braving intense climates.

All this because he believed he had a job. Which is? "Executing director's requirements, ensuring everything was in perfect order, and basically sparing no detail, or expense." "I have so much respect for him because he always stayed at the sidelines, watching, helping when necessary. He offered his advice when sought and tendered his opinion when essential. Even his passion proved to be contagious."

The Cast

Salakhain boasts, in fact an impressive cast from TV, Film and theatre.

Meera, Zara Sheikh, Ahmad, Sajid Hassan, Shafi Muhammad, Asghar Farooq Zamir, Orangzeb Laghari, Rashid Mahmood, Tariq Javed, Sardar Kamal and Tariq Teddy form a rich talent from TV, Film and Theatre.

Beauty Queen of Lollywood

Rashid Khawaja praised Meera for her professionalism. He said that Meera is truly a versatile actress. She is very talented and committed to her performance.

Citing examples of the Salakhain shoot in Nepal, he said that Meera's performance was outstanding and when the most expensive song of Pakistani film history is on screens, people will share my sentiments.

Budget

The movie, Salakhain, is one of mega budget films. Recently in Nepal, a mega set made of steel was erected that was water proof. The floor of the set was made of steel and it was Meera who graced the set with her memorable performance and dance sequences which will be enjoyed by the audience.

Meera was recently in Nepal shooting for Salakhain....according to Meera her new found rhythm has vastly improved her dancing and she has learnt many new skills.

The Producer opined that contrary to popular belief, there is no competition between TV and film. Rather, they both complement each other......

Replying to a question regarding Salakhain, Rashid Khawaja said that the film sound will be DTS and for the first time in Pakistani film history, cine goers will enjoy pure digital sound in a Pakistani action movie.

The film, which marks the debut of Ahmad Butt and Sajid Hassan on big screen, was already being looked forward to for its impressive star cast and promising storyline.

People are of the view that all those who talk of the intelligent and educated producer, who has the capacity to understand the technical as well as artistic side of film making, culd feel relieved by the presence of Rashid Khawja, who made Salakhain, with another professional, Shahzad Rafiq.

The services of Manhattan Leo Burnette, one of the top advertising agencies, were hired to design the promotional campaign. This is probably for the first time that an advertising agency has been hired to do the job as is done in the west.

Similarly, the entire online promotion of Salakhain and it's website development was carried out by eSolutions International (www.esols.biz), one of the most professional software development companies in Pakistan.

As a matter of fact, the film carries enormous hope....Lollywood is going to see some better days ahead with its release, a few weeks ago.Saud hopes to change all with Salakhain...."Salakhain is the only film I mention when someone asks me about the films I am doing....Salakhain is a good project.....I am very hopeful that Salakhain will do very good at box office..... In Salakhain I play the villain, which is unlike the run of mill villains depicted in our films. Shahzad Rafiq is a patient director. I play the bad guy....the whole team is very professional in approach and there is no hurry to just do the work and get away with it.

Shafi's Fourth Comeback

After a hiatus of 15 years television superstar, Shafi Muhammad, made a comeback to movies in the upcoming DTS action flick Salakhain, Pakistan's first digital sound action film that boasts of a star studded cast.....

Virtually, Salakhain was the most awaited films of the year because of its impressive team.....and a budget running in crores.....Salakhain will take the film industry forward.....One hopes that Salakhain team will bring the sophistication and slick style.....to this big screen project.

Eventually, Salakhain may prove to to be a watershed in the sense that it might spell a death knell to crude action flicks that has had such a hand in declining standards in Lollywood.

PTV might never forgive Rashid Khawaja for breaking its monopoly, but the viewers are indebted to him for bringing the first private channel to Pakistan. Salakhian will set a new trend in our film industry. It is, in a way based on realistic violence.●