‘DPS not a copy of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’

Cast of Mehreen Jabbar directorial rejects similarities to Zoya Akhtar film

KARACHI: The star-studded cast of Dobara Phir Se (DPS) has wrapped up its shoot and is set to conquer the big screen this November. Talking to The Express Tribune, the actors shared what the audience should look out for in their upcoming movie, which films they’d never want to watch ‘Dobara Phir Se’ and why Indian ones should make a comeback to Pakistani theatres.

Since the posters show the cast on a convertible, many are of the opinion that the film has some resemblance to Zoya Akhtar’s Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). “I love this question! I am a huge fan of Zoya but no, this film is different,” said actor Ali Kazmi. Echoing his sentiments, Sanam Saeed added that just because the cover of Mehreen Jabbar’s directorial depicts a convertible, it does not make it a copy of ZNMD. “However, if you still want to think so, then take it as, ‘Imitation is the best form of flattery’,” shared Saeed.



The entire cast gave a positive response when asked if they are eager for Bollywood films to be unbanned in Pakistan. “Perhaps it would be nice if some of our movies make it there,” stated Kazmi. Sanam feels our films aren’t on the same level as Indian films yet but hopes local TV dramas will air across the border soon.

The audience was keen to know if DPS is a paisa vasool movie and Kazmi’s first response was, “What is a paisa vasool movie?” He revealed that cast has worked really hard on the film and since they have a two-time Emmy award-winning cinematographer on board, the shots will most certainly meet the expectations of fans.

When asked about the equation the stars share with each other, he mentioned, “The chemistry came naturally. It was really organic.” Model-actor Tooba Siddiqui reaffirmed that there were no hang-ups of any sort, no “girl rivalry” or beef between anyone. On the same note, none of them had problems with Jabbar either. “She’s got an immense amount of command in putting everything together so it all comes into sharp focus and if something isn’t working out, you instantly get to know. The element of responsibility is there. She really keeps it healthy on the set,” said cast member Adeel Hussain.

Kazmi is confident that DPS will be a game changer for the Pakistani film industry. “We’ll let November 25 decide that,” he said. During the session, Saeed was asked about the secret behind her elegance and she shyly stated that she gets it from her mother. However, this question led to Kazmi, Siddiqui and Hussain trolling her and joking that she reads nursery rhymes all day and that is the real secret behind it all.

Shouting out to upcoming directors, Hussain added, “The market is open. We don’t have enough directors so if you are one, just get better, write good scripts and bring them out in the open. Do the work.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2016.

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