Five movies to watch this Independence Day

There's nothing better than local entertainment to get into the independence spirit!

We all remember Independence Day celebrations in the past marked with little flags and buntings all over the country, not to mention, lots of singing of patriotic songs at school festivities.

Now, August 14 carries a different feel to it, especially this year. The fervour is low, marred by a pandemic, and of course, 2020 not being too kind on many fronts. So what other options do we have?

Films! Yes. Over the years, local cinema has produced some great content centring on patriotism and we think, turning to one of these productions is the best idea this weekend! Here are five films that you can sit down to watch if you want to feel even just a tinge of patriotism this Independence Day.

1.     Jinnah (1998)

This is a stalwart tear-jerker based on the events surrounding the liberation and subsequent Partition of the subcontinent. The film, directed by Jamil Dehlavi, follows the life of the founder of our country, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, with actor Christopher Lee portraying the coveted role of. When released, it had people leaving the theatre with tears in their eyes – a perfect Independence Day watch any year!

2.    Waar (2013)

Starring Pakistan’s very own superstar Shaan, Waar focuses on the fight against terrorism – a beat that was often explored during the 2000s and early 2010s.
Featuring Shaan as a retired army officer, this film may seem like an over-the-top political thriller but it manages to hold its own and capture the viewer aptly. Directed by Bilal Lashari, Waar also starred Hamza Ali Abbasi.

3.    Parwaaz Hai Junoon (2018)

This war-romance, with its ensemble cast, is sure to be an appealing watch. Parwaaz Hai Junoon stars Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahad Raza Mir, Hania Amir, Kubra Khan, Alamdar Khan, Marina Khan, Shamoon Abbasi, and Adnan Jaffar among others.

Touted as a tribute to the brave Pakistan Air Force, the film focuses on the dreams of young PAF pilots and cadets and their romances. It was directed by Haseeb Hassan and produced by Momina Duraid.

4.    Sherdil (2019)

Although the film received majorly mixed reviews from critics, it isn’t so much of a bad watch and proved a commercial success. Starring Mikaal Zulfiqar, Hassan Niazi, Armeena Rana Khan, and Sabeeka Imam, Sherdil was also a tribute to the Pakistan Air Force.

The story revolves around Harish (Mikaal) and his dream of becoming a fighter jet pilot like his grandfather. It follows his struggles, romance, and subsequent success at defending his homeland.

5.    Project Ghazi (2019)

While the film had more than one stumbles before its release, by which time it had lost most of its appeal, Project Ghazi still managed to be somewhat of a decent product.

Popular as Pakistan’s first sci-fi action film, it stars Humayun Saeed, Syra Yousuf, and Shehryar Munawwar in lead roles and if you’re on the lookout for some experimental cinematic work straight from the annals of the local film industry, give this a chance.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below