Karachi Se Lahore Explained

Karachi Se Lahore
Native Name:
Director:Wajahat Rauf
Story:Wajahat Rauf
Producer:Wajahat Rauf
Starring:
Cinematography:Rana Kamran
Editing:Hasan Ali Khan
Music:Sur Darwaish
Studio:Showcase Productions
Distributor:IMGC Global Entertainment
Runtime:143 mins
Country:Pakistan
Language:Urdu

Karachi Se Lahore (;) is a 2015 Pakistani road-comedy adventure film directed and produced by Wajahat Rauf (in his directorial debut) under the production banner Showcase Films with a story written by Yasir Hussain[1] Karachi Se Lahore features an ensemble cast, including Javed Sheikh, Mantaha Tareen Maqsood, Yasir Hussain, Ahmed Ali Akbar, Eshita Syed, Aashir Wajahat and Rasheed Naz, whereas lead roles are played by Shahzad Sheikh and Ayesha Omer.[2] [3] This is the first Pakistani road-trip film which covers the 36 hours journey from Karachi to Lahore in real time, where the characters face obstacles, overcome them and undergo personal growth.[4] [5]

The film was released by IMGC Global Entertainment in cinemas nationwide on 31 July 2015.[6] [7] [8] [9] In its opening weekend, it took in at the local box office and at the end of run, film reached the benchmark of, becoming a box-office success. It is first Pakistani film to be premiered in Hollywood.[10]

The film was followed by a spin-off titled Lahore Se Aagey, which was released in 2016.

Plot

The story follows Zaheem, the protagonist, who gets run over by everyone he loves. After his girlfriend notifies Zaheem that she's going to visit Lahore, he decides to let himself go to a party that his friends, Sam and Moti insisted he go to. While in the party, he finds out that his girlfriend is marrying her cousin in Lahore. Frantic and upset, he tries to go to Lahore via Karachi Jinnah International airport, but finds out on the news that the Pakistan Authority of Civil Aviation has banned all flights from Karachi International due to workers on strike. He begs his neighbors (Mariyam and Zeezo), to use their Jeep but they decline at first. When they reluctantly allow (although Maryiam's father cherishes the Jeep and lets no one use it) they start. They stop at a hotel for the night, but the receptionist asks for a marriage certificate and unneeded stuff. But a Sindhi Landlord and his goons come and scold the receptionist for letting his daughter sleep with a random man, and forces the receptionist to give Zaheem a room. After proposing to Maryiam with a Cornetto, the team decide to eat breakfast while Moti goes to the toilet. He meets a Pashtun man where he accidentally punches and runs off after the man scared him. They drive away and Moti says he knows a short cut. The map was wrong, but Zaheem doesn't know. After Zaheem wakes up, he finds out that they aren't in Lahore and punches Moti. Moti gets upset and Mariyam scolds Zaheem. After everything is solved, they drive again and Zeezo demands to drive the car or else he would snitch. Zeezo crashes the car, so the team make a car pull over and help them. In that car was none other than the Pashtun man. In exchange for listening for fixing their car, Zaheem must listen to his story. But the Pashtun man demands another favor and asks to take Sam for a day. After getting back Sam, they drive to Lahore where they get into the wedding. Maryiam sees her dad at the wedding, having a drink with a woman named Khushi, while drinking alcohol. (Maryiams mom had died and in Muslim culture alcohol is prohibited). Zaheem confesses his love for his girlfriend, and preaches his love for her, until stopping mid-way and finding out that he really loves Maryiam. The movie ends with Zaheem proposing to Maryiam and her accepting, but Maryiams father catches them.

Cast

Production

Marketing

First poster of film was revealed on 13 January 2015. The first look teaser of an item song featuring Ayesha Omer released on 21 March.[11] [12] First look teaser trailer along with poster was revealed in a press conference held in Karachi.[13] [14] [15] [16] Theatrical poster featuring film sponsors with release date was revealed on 30 April 2015. Character poster featuring Yasir Hussain was revealed on 30 June. More character posters were also revealed later in same month. On 17 July a video song titled Aja Re Aja was released on Vimeo.[17] Digital marketing and PR for the film is being handled by SocialSell, the official digital partners for the film.[18] [19] The soundtrack of this movie was also released in India under the label of Sony Music (India).

Release

Karachi se Lahore was released nationwide in over 60 screens on 31 July 2015.[20] The film was premiered in Hollywood, Los Angeles on 16 August.[21] The world television premiere of film was shown on Urdu 1 on 25 September 2015 (Eid 1st Day). It was set to be released in the USA on 27 November 2015.

Critical reception

Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and given the verdict as "Karachi Se Lahore has hilarious moments that at times seem out of place. Watch the film to learn some new jokes, but opt out if you are looking for a good big screen experience."[22]

Spin-off

See main article: Lahore Se Aagey. In November 2015, director Wajahat Rauf announced that there will be a spin-off film of Karachi Se Lahore, scheduled to be released in 2016. He said: "This will be more of a romantic-comedy and will follow the adventures of a young couple. It is set right after the events of Karachi Se Lahore."[23]

The film was titled Lahore Se Aagey, and starred Saba Qamar and Yasir Hussain in starring roles alongside Rubina Ashraf, Behroze Sabzwari and Atiqa Odho. It was released on 11 November 2016 to poor critical response.[24]

Accolades

Category Recipient Result
Lux Style Award for Best Male Playback in a FilmAli Noor and Hamza Ali for Baysabar
Lux Style Award for Best Female Playback in a Film Zarish for Rabi Reli
Lux Style Award for Best Supporting Actor in a FilmYasir Hussain

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. News: I want to make writers become stars in Pakistan . 28 July 2015 . . Omair Alavi.
  2. News: I play an innocent girl in 'Karachi Se Lahore': Ayesha . 26 April 2015 . The Express Tribune.
  3. Web site: Go local: Celebs support Karachi se Lahore in quirky video messages . Entertainment . Desk . July 29, 2015 . DAWN.COM.
  4. News: A tale of two cities . 20 April 2015 . DAWN.com.
  5. News: Local humour in 'Karachi se Lahore' will make it worth watching . 27 April 2015 . . Yumna Rafi.
  6. News: 'Karachi se Lahore' set to hit screens on July 31, 2015 . 7 April 2015 . DAWN.com.
  7. News: Karachi Se Lahore set for July 31, 2015 release . 9 April 2015 . The News. https://web.archive.org/web/20150414075309/http://magazine.thenews.com.pk/mag/detail_article.asp?id=10581&magId=11. 14 April 2015. dead.
  8. News: 'Karachi se Lahore' to hit theatres on July 31 . 9 April 2015 . . Madiha Shakeel.
  9. News: Karachi se Lahore: Pakistani rom-com set for 2015 release . 7 April 2015 . . Zoya Anwer.
  10. News: Karachi Se Lahore has been invited to premiere in Hollywood . 28 July 2015 . . Hassan Choudary.
  11. News: Ayesha Omar's Hot item song teaser: Karachi Se Lahore . 7 April 2015 . The News Teller.
  12. News: Ayesha Omar sets screen on fire in 'item song' teaser . 7 April 2015 . . Hassan Choudary.
  13. News: 'Karachi Se Lahore' trailer hits the road . 28 April 2015 . . Sameen Hassan.
  14. News: Karachi se Lahore official trailer released . 26 April 2015 . The News Teller.
  15. News: Karachi Se Lahore trailer promises laughter! . 28 April 2015 . ARY News.
  16. News: KSL trailer launched . 3 May 2015 . . Omair Alvi.
  17. News: Out now: Karachi Se Lahore's song is a cheery ode to roadtrips . 21 July 2015 . DAWN.com.
  18. Web site: SocialSell – Facebook . . 16 September 2016.
  19. Web site: Instagram photo by Lahore Se Aagey-Official • Jul 23, 2015 at 12:30 pm UTC . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/5eoxzgANuN . 24 December 2021 . registration. 16 September 2016.
  20. Web site: Karachi Se Lahore's smooth road to the box office . August 3, 2015 . The Express Tribune.
  21. News: Karachi Se Lahore crew takes over Hollywood . 3 September 2015 . . Hassan Choudary . 17 August 2015.
  22. Web site: 'Karachi Se Lahore': a long but uneventful journey . July 30, 2015 . The Express Tribune.
  23. News: 'Karachi Se Lahore' spin-off to hit cinemas in September 2016 . 28 November 2015 . The Express Tribune.
  24. News: 'Lahore Se Aagey' doesn't go too far – The Express Tribune . 22 November 2016 . The Express Tribune. 1 June 2018 .