The outbreak compels big budget films to reschedule release

The virus has taken the world by storm. With the lockdown in place, people especially the daily wagers have lost their jobs, companies have laid off employees, hospitals are running short of medical supplies, and the film industry has decided to postpone films that were scheduled for release in 2020 because shootings have halted halfway.

2020 was the year when major, big-budget films were slated for release. While some of these films had reached the post-production stage, others had only just begun shooting, and then the lockdown happened.

‘Intezar’ was scheduled to hit the floors in March 2020, but the release didn’t go as planned because cinemas are closed until further notice. One of the most awaited films, The Legend of Maula Jatt was finally cleared by all censor boards and had the green signal for release, could further be postponed until the situation normalizes.

Same is the case with other releases scheduled around Eid time, later this year. ‘Zarrar’ and ‘Money Back Guarantee’ were just about to announce dates. Now, while these films are all ready to hit the cinemas, there are a few that had been halted during production.

Nadeem Baig’s ‘London Nahi Jaunga’ is 70 percent complete, but the rest of the shooting slotted for London this month is most likely to be postponed in lieu of the lockdown.

Irfan Malik, Head of ARY Films, said in an interview:

We had planned our spell of London shooting in mid of April, but in these situations, it seems impossible as conditions in the UK are more severe than ours.

The script requires shots from London, so waiting is all they can do for now, until things get back to normal again. London Nahi Jaunga was originally scheduled for release later this year, which seems unlikely as of now.

Another action-comedy ‘Ghabrana Nahi Hai’ produced by Mastermind Films and JB Films has completed just three days of shooting. Producer, Hassan Zia says the shooting will resume as soon as things get normal. A release date has thus not been finalized yet. The movie is based on the famous phrase of Prime Minister Imran Khan, and it features Saba Qamar, Zahid Ahmed, and Syed Jibran in the lead roles.

Saba Qamar’s ‘Kamli’ had begun filming in December 2019, but it seems to have been suspended as of now. Yasir Nawaz’s ‘Chakkar’ has only completed six days of filming, and the shooting scheduled for April and May might be delayed further. According to Yasir, they had planned to release the film between Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha time, but this seems unlikely now.

Wajahat Rauf’s ‘Parde Me Rehnay Do’ has completed 50 percent of work, and needs another few months for completion and editing. According to Rauf, it will be ready by year-end, hopefully.

‘Fatman’ by Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Meerza will begin shooting in October if all goes well. But, ‘Quaid e Azam Zindabad’ is in its editing stages as of now. Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan finished shooting of the film earlier this year before Corona hit the world. If everything goes well, it will release on its original date, i.e. Eid ul Adha.

Another film that had to be halted halfway is a script written and produced by the heartthrob Fawad Khan. The film is titled ‘Neelofar’ and it is reuniting the popular ‘Humsafar’ couple, Mahira Khan and Fawad Khan once again.

Adnan Siddiqui’s first-ever production ‘Dum Mastam’ staring our favorite Bhola (Imran Ashraf) has also been suspended in its post-production stage until further notice.