By Waqar Naseem Wamiq
RIYADH – Top events, Global entertainments Co (GEC) and Knowledge Core collaboratively organized the premiere showing of the latest Pakistani movie “Parchi” at the Pakistan Embassy auditorium in Riyadh.
The jam-packed hall of the embassy witnessed the historic premiere of the Parchi that holds the credit of being among the first international movies to be screened in Saudi Arabia after the announcement that cinema theaters will be allowed to operate in the country after a ban of 35 years.
Stylish host RJ Fawad conducted the ceremony. More than 2,000 spectators including diplomats and special guests watched the six consecutive shows that were especially attended by the film producer Imran Raza Kazmi, who flew to Riyadh for the premiere show. Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Matab Bin Thenayan Bin Mohammed attended the premiere show as the chief guest at the embassy and showed his deep interest in the movie and vowed his full support to the organizers. “It’s a great initiative in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030 and we assure our full support to strengthen Pak-Saudi relations in the film and entertainment industry,” the prince stated.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistani Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Billal Ahmed said, “The Pakistani film industry is on a revival mode and a series of good films are the result of this renaissance, and Parchi is a great example of it. Saudi Arabia is a potential market for Pakistani films and we pledge our support to promote every initiative that can bring up the soft image of Pakistan.”
Film producer Imran Kazmi was very happy at his film being chosen for the viewing. “The experience of screening our film in Saudi Arabia has been wonderful and the response we have received from the people of Saudi Arabia is incredible, I am very happy that Parchi became the first official Pakistani film that is screened in Saudi Arabia,” Kazmi said.
Movie lovers termed Parchi as a good sign of revival of the Pakistan film industry — known as Lollywood. “It is about time that we should get back to Pakistani movies as Lollywood is investing its efforts, finance and creativity in movies,” said a viewer Nonzy Imran.
“I love the humor, acting, songs, direction and the cinematography of the Parchi, and overall it is a good film that can be compared easily with any other international movie,” said another viewer Hafsa Ehsan.
The ersatz cinema hall was well equipped with the large & wide digital screen provided by the Black Cinema Productions with standard cinema sound systems by UK Sounds and the facility was well supported by The Khalli Walli Show, V.I. Productions and Pakistan Youth Forum. The highly turned out occasion was sponsored by the FRiENDi mobile, flynas and Mathaqi.
Amir Shahzad of Knowledge Core signaled his full support for future screenings of the films, while Imran Ismail of Top Events assured to present and support top Lollywood’s endeavors and Naffay Hussain of GEC affirmed to bring more entertaining shows with his vibrant team of Ahmed Hussain, Vivid Addi, Shahmir Khan, Talal Safdar, Faisal Bajwa, Shiraz Alam, Avais Rehman, Irfan Jamil, Kaleem and Salman Waheed.
Lollywood’s Parchi was released on more than 100 screens across Pakistan on Jan. 5 and is among the first international movies to be viewed in Saudi Arabia. Parchi is a contender in the box-office following its release in USA, UK, UAE, Canada and other countries. Along with Saudi Arabia Parchi will be the first movie from Lollywood to be screened in cinemas of France, the fashion capital of the world. Parchi is a comedy caper film directed by Azfar Jafri and produced by Imran Kazmi & Arif Lakhani under the IRK Films production banner. The film stars Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman Khan and Shafqat Cheema in lead roles along with Ahmed Ali Akbar, Faiza Saleem, Shafqat Khan and Usman Mukhtar in supporting roles.
