LAHORE-Pakistani action thriller film ‘Sawal 700 Crore Dollar Ka ‘ directed by Jamshed Jan Muhammad earned more than Rs 10m, according to box-office reports.
The star cast of the movie includes Ghulam Mohyuddin, Javed Sheikh, Ismail Tara, Nayyar Ejaz, and Shamoon Abbasi while Ghulam Mohyuddin’s son Ali Mohyuddin makes his debut in the film industry by playing the male lead role. The film features Qurat Ul Ain as female lead actor. The film was shot in Sri Lanka and Thailand. Action film’s music has been composed by Faizi Ali and some of Indian music industry big names Shaan and Alka Yagnik sang songs for the film. The film has been produced by Shahid Qureshi. The script has been written by Nasir Adeeb and Jamshed Jan Muhammad.
Ali Mohyuddin talking to The Nation said that he was not expecting such a great response from the public. “The response has been phenomenal. It has made my passion and dedication to work in the film industry more strong,” he said.
“Things have changed now and the Pakistani industry is back to winning ways. Pakistani movies are performing well at the box office especially considering screening of ‘Sawal 700 crore Doller Ka’ is taking place when big budget Bollywood film ‘Sultan’ is also being screened at the same time. Releasing it at this time was defiantly a risk but we believe in our work and commitment. The results are in front of you. If the content of the film is good and creative and it comes with a full package for movie buffs there is no doubt about success of the film,” Ali said.
Ali said the Pakistan film industry was at its lowest ebb 15 years ago. Release of films like ‘Jawani Phir Nahi Jani’ and ‘Na Maloom Afraad’ changed the scenario.
Responding to query he said if there are such elements that are creating hurdles in the screening of the film in different parts of the country, than they should not be called Pakistanis. He said the mindset should be countered properly and in coming years the Pakistan film industry will be much stronger. “It will take time for our film industry to regain its lost glory but the fact remains that we are going in the right direction,” Ali was of the view.
Satish Anand owner of Eveready Pictures told The Nation that the Pakistani action film ‘Sawal 700 Crore Dollar Ka crossed Rs 10m figure on box office and the movie’s response was good. “It is the history of the Eveready Pictures that along with foreign film we always supported local film,” Satish said.
“In 2015 along with Bajrangi Bahijan we gave space to local movies ‘Bin Roye’ and ‘Wrong No’and the response was great both of the films earned good money. Until or unless the local distributor will not give number of screens shows to Pakistani film, the situation will not get change ,” Satish said.
Managing Director Mandviwalla Entertainment Co, Nadeem Mandviwalla, has different view about the situation. “Pakistani movie ‘Sawaal 700 crore dollar Ka’ earned good profit in Eid days and it is good for the industry. Sultan earned 110 million and all its shows are house full. As the number of cinemas is increasing in Pakistan it would benefit Pakistani films,” he said.
Veteran actor Ghulam Mohyuddin said it is good sign for our film industry that people have showed their overwhelming response to a Pakistani movie. “In comparison to Indian movie my son’s film came in the second highest grosser at the box office. If you make a good movie the people would definitely love to see it,” he said.
“There is a lobby that works for their own vested interests and works against Pakistani movies in favour of Indian films. The mindset is simply destroying our film industry,” he said.
Ghulam Mohiuddin lamented that government has done nothing for the promotion of the Pakistan film industry.