A terror plot,
drama, action and a well-known and attractive cast — it is no surprise that
with these key elements, Waar’s well-executed trailer generated excitement when
it released two years ago. But that anticipation and fervor has died down,
since the movie did not see a release and critics dismissed it as ‘just another
project that won’t make it to the screen’. But there’s finally some good news —
the film is tentatively scheduled to release late September or early October
this year.
“I am the type of
person who is never satisfied or happy,” says Waar’s director Bilal Lashari,
who won the Best Music Video Director award at the Lux Style Awards and Best
Pop Video at the MTV Pakistan Music Video Awards for Sajni in 2008.
“But the way it
(Waar) has come together, I am sure it will raise the bar of cinema
(film-making) in terms of what people are used to.” While he has directed
several music videos in the past, this will be Lashari’s first attempt at
making a film.
Waar is themed
around the idea of counter-terrorism, revolving around a team of police
officers, who are looking to stop a terrorist attack in the country.
Lashari feels that
the film, which will be released under the banner of ARY Films/Mandviwalla
Entertainment, is relevant to Pakistan’s current scenario.
“The
cinematography, shooting and aesthetics will all be something new,” he adds.
The film’s star-studded cast includes Shaan Shahid, Shamoon Abbasi, Ali Azmat,
Ayesha Khan and Meesha Shafi.
“Initially, Ali and
Ayesha had been given smaller guest appearances but (later), we decided to
expand their roles,” he explains, adding that Ali is a natural performer and a
great actor.
While making this
film was a big challenge and delays were inevitable, Lashari says that he is
certain Waar will provide the audience with something to think about.
“It’s been a crazy
learning experience. It hasn’t been easy and it was a constant test of
patience,” he says, adding that he didn’t have a real break in nearly three
years. “We are attempting to do a lot of things that haven’t been done in
Pakistan before.” The film is said to have 400 visual effects.
Focus groups and an
English script
Assessment and
feedback go a long way, and when it came down to judging how well the movie
would do at the box office, writer and producer of Waar, Hassan Waqas Rana
decided to do things the traditional way.
He conducted focus
groups where people were shown only parts of the film. “Both of us, Bilal and
I, are the biggest critics of ourselves. But I think we’ve been pretty amazed
by the turnout of the project,” says Rana. “However, the real truth of how the
film really is, can only be assessed when it reaches the audience.”
A major part of
Waar’s script is in English, which the film-makers explain, has been done
keeping Shaan’s character in mind. However, the idea of dubbing in Urdu did
cross Rana’s mind. “I think the main worry was that the local audience wouldn’t
be able to relate [to it] but our tests have revealed a good response,” he
continues.
“We also looked at
dubbing the film but resisted because we thought the main character would be
compromised.”
After gaining
positive feedback from the post-production and editing teams in the US, team
Waar is all set for a Pakistan release this fall, with an international release
to follow.
Published in The
Express Tribune, August 7th, 2013.
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