Inside the star-studded trailer launch of action entertainer Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad

Quaid e Azam Zindabad

Arts Council Karachi was buzzing with anticipation and high energy as two of Pakistan’s mega stars — Mahira Khan and Fahad Mustafa — walked the red carpet at the trailer launch of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad (QAZ). While the two unconsciously colour-cordinated their outfits, the team sported a uniform monochrome theme and looked glamorous despite the sweltering heat of Karachi.

In a sea of cameras and reporters, the team of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad posed at the red carpet and gave interviews. But all this fanfare was for the big reveal at the press conference, moderated by Aamna Haider Isani. The trailer was received with applauds, whistles and hoots.

One version of this trailer has already been playing in cinemas across Pakistan during film intervals. Nabeel Qureshi, the director of the film, agreed that he gave a slightly different cut of the trailer to cinemas to play.

“It was like a treat to the people who pay for the tickets and go to cinema to watch films. The trailer we will release today is not entirely different but it has additional scenes in it. We are properly releasing it for the public digitally today,” he shared.

One of the most highly anticipated films this Eid ul Azha, the Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza film is an out-and-out masala entertainer. The strengths of the film are innumerable: it is a cop drama surrounded by a pertinent social message, Fizza and Nabeel are experienced filmmakers who have already released five noteworthy films, two of the biggest stars of the country, Mahira and Fahad, are appearing for the first-time ever on screen, QAZ has action, humour, romance, drama, songs, dance, and much more, making it the perfect popcorn entertainer.

Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan

Nabeel Qureshi, Mahira Khan, Fizza Ali Meerza & Fahad Mustafa expressing ‘We have done it!’

Aamna Isani talking to Fahad Mustafa

Recently, there was a sudden announcement of a third Pakistani film releasing on Eid ul Azha. Another Marvel giant like Thor: Love and Thunder is due to release in the same spell. Is this the Eid ul Fitr film fiasco repeating itself? Nabeel isn’t bothered by the Hollywood release, but feels that Pakistani filmmakers should be more considerate about each other.

“Filmwala Pictures always announce the release date when we announce a film. We had shared that QAZ will be a Eid ul Azha release long ago. I don’t fear a film like Thor. Yes, we have limited number of screens in Pakistan and we have to share them, but I am confident that I am giving them a good film so they will come to watch it. I have released my films with Bollywood titles and still our film did more business. However, too many Pakistani films releasing on the same date is not good for any of us. Our own screen-time will be divided,” he shared his reservations.

The film will be contesting with Humayun Saeed’s London Nahi Jaunga and horror-comedy Lafangey in theaters. We haven’t yet seen what Humayun’s film has to offer but this is definitely going to be a clash of two giants in Pakistani cinema.

Fahad Mustafa, who is a part of almost every Nabeel-Fizza film with the exception of Khel Khel Mein, expressed his thoughts on the film.

“Mahira has worked on bigger projects than this, but for me, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad is my biggest film till date. My father also said the same to me. I have done stunts in this and worked really hard to actually establish this popular “cop films” genre in Pakistan. It is popular everywhere but police officers have never been regarded as a distinguished figure in our films,” he said.

When asked if Mahira also has done any stunts with Fahad, she laughed and said: “Yes, I have done it. There is a song in which I have to be around animals, all kinds of animals from a lion to a hamster. It was so difficult for me to do.”

During the Q&A session, Mahira was put on the spot and asked to share how different he found Fahad from Shah Rukh Khan. While Fahad joked that SRK is Pathan and he is Sindhi, Mahira had an interesting take.

“I have always admired how Shah Rukh Khan just comes and performs on songs without much rehearsals. He is very quick to catch steps, unlike many of us who rehearse for days. Fahad is also the same; he comes and learns what is to be done and performs without a lot of rehearsals,” she shared.

The trailer of Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, played thrice in the auditorium, is a visual spectacle. Mahira and Fahad appears to have a crackling chemistry in their debut performance as a jori. Mahira is playing an activist, who will perhaps turn the tides for a cop whose morals are slightly murky. Veteran actor Javed Sheikh is playing another experienced cop in the film, while Nayyar Ejaz will be seen as the antagonist.

Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad is an explosive combination of never-seen-before fight sequences, catchy dance numbers, dialogues and hook steps, flying planes and motorbikes, wall-shattering vehicles, emotional drama coupled with an engaging storyline and top-notch performance.

The trailer launch was attended by celebrities namely Humayun Saeed, director Faisal Qureshi and Nadeem Baig, Azaan Sami Khan, Ayaz Samoo, Fahad’s wife Sana Fahad and his father Salahuddin Tunio amongst many other stars.