‘Lahori Badmash’ released once again after 25 years

Shahid Rana film screened in memory of late producer Agha Hussaini


Adnan Lodhi May 21, 2016
Lahori Badmash was especially loved by the Lahoris for its depiction of the city’s different historic sites. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE: Director Shahid Rana’s 1991 Punjabi hit Lahori Badmash graced the silver screen once again on Friday, nearly 25 years after its release.

As audiences flocked to the city’s Metropole Cinema, few were aware of the reason behind its re-release. Talking to The Express Tribune, the film’s late producer Agha Hussaini’s son Imran Hussaini said the decision was made to pay homage to his father on his upcoming 21st death anniversary.

Imran’s team also ran a promotional campaign across the city to attract the public. “We released Lahori Badmash in honour of my father’s legacy,” shared Imran. The late film-maker has a number of hits such as Zameen Aasmaan, Sajawal Daku and Insaniyat to his credit.

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Lahori Badmash was a game-changing film and after its release, numerous Punjabi film-makers adopted the same style of production,” said director Parvaiz Rana, who is Shahid’s cousin. “That was the time when Sultan Rahi was the most famous actor ... the heyday of Punjabi cinema. But now times have changed and these old films have been restricted to memories only,” he added.

Lahori Badmash was especially loved by the Lahoris for its depiction of the city’s different historic sites. Sultan and Gori played lead characters in the film, while actors such as Babra Sharif, Javed Sheikh, Izhar Qazi and Abid Ali were also part of the ensemble cast.

Maula Jatt writer Nasir Adeeb wrote the script of the film that revolves around class conflict and enmities in Punjabi culture. While Madam Noor Jahan lent her voice for most of its tracks, Khawaja Pervaiz wrote the lyrics.

According to Cinema Owners Association chairperson Qaiser Sanaullah, un-availability of films for smaller, single-screen cinemas is a major problem. To counter this, old films are being re-released at such places so that the cinema owners can at least meet their costs. “Lahori Badmash had been in demand for a long time. It is heartening to see that so many people came to watch the film.”

“While our intention was to provide old school entertainment to the public, we hope to continue with this,” he added.

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Concurring with Qaiser, Pakistani Film Distributors Association chairperson Ejaz Kamran shared, “It is a good idea to release old films once again. It is important to remind people of the standard of Punjabi films when they were ruling the theatres.” He disclosed successful films of yesteryears will also guide upcoming film-makers and budding directors.

On the other hand, Kamran said the need for new films is still there because it is impossible to keep the industry going on past releases. “Our cinemas cannot survive if there are no new films. We cannot exist just by releasing old ones again and again,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2016.

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