'Thor 4' to 'London Nahi Jaunga': Local films to clash with Marvel release at Eidul Azha

Last month, there was a rife debate about the collective releases of several films in Pakistan at the same time. The popular Eidul Fitr slot was filled with six films hitting the screens simultaneously - five local and a much-awaited Marvel project. And from the looks of it, seems like we will be having a similar discourse around Eidul Azha releases as well. 

For now, there are two highly anticipated local films set to release in July alongside the fourth installment of Marvel's Thor franchise. The local filmmakers have announced that Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat's upcoming venture, London Nahi Jaunga will hit the screens with Mahira Khan, Fahad Mustafa-starrer, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad.

However, Eidul Azha will also see Chris Hemsworth, Natalia Portman and Tessa Thompson's latest offering, Thor: Love and Thunder. If everything falls into place, three big films will screen in cinemas, hoping to attract viewers to the theatres. 

London Nahi Jaunga

Humayun Saeed’s upcoming film London Nahi Jaunga, written by Khalilur Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig is set to release on Eidul Azha this year. The film was initially scheduled to release in 2020 but due to Covid, the film's release was postponed. Now, two years later, Saeed and Mehwish Hayat-starrer will hit the screens in July. 

The film was previously touted to be a sequel to Saeed's 2017 hit, Punjab Nahi Jaungi. However, the Meray Paas Tum Ho actor clarified in an interview that it is a completely different story. Given the film is supposed to be breezy family entertainment, with comedy, romance, drama, and a little similarity to his film with Hayat.

Nevertheless, the resemblance and expected repetition are uncanny, because it is not the first time Baig, Qamar and Saeed have collaborated, provided the trio also worked together on Punjab Nahi Jaungi. The cast includes Kubra Khan, Vasay Chaudhary, Sohail Ahmed and Gohar Rasheed.

Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad

Director Nabeel Qureshi’s crime comedy Quaid e Azam Zindabad has finally been given a release date, with the film set to premiere on Eidul Azha in 2022, which will fall in early July. The film revolves around Mustafa channelling his inner Chulbul Pandey, making his way as the no-nonsense cop on the scene. Not to be overshadowed in any way, Khan's character also seems to be more than just a damsel in distress, with her being an equal part of the action as is Mustafa. 

Keeping up with the title, at many instances, the teaser shows bundles of cash with Quaid e Azam's face being shown prominently. The Quaid's picture is also shown otherwise, and in another scene, the Na Maloon Afraad actor is seen staring at it and having a moment of epiphany. The only dialogue the audience hears is Mustafa saying, "Jaantey ho noton pey Quaid e Azam ki tasveer kyun hai, (Do you know why do notes have a picture of Quaid e Azam).”

In an interview with BBC Asian Network, the Humsafar actor also spoke about how she feels she’s “cursed” when it comes to her big-screen endeavours, which are seemingly taking forever to make it to viewers. When questioned about her upcoming film releases, Mahira shared, “I swear, I’m cursed. I feel like every film I’m doing is going into the Bermuda Triangle… I’m just like, where are they?” 

Thor: Love and Thunder

The Mjölnir is swinging again! The latest installment of Marvel's Thor starring Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson and Natalie Portman will release on July 8. Thor: Love and Thunder marks the fourth installment of the superhero franchise and needless to say, one that fans are eagerly looking forward to.

The Taika Waikiki directorial sees Hemsworth return as the Odinson - sans the throne. In Avengers: Endgame, Thor passes over the reigns to Asgard to Valkyrie and moves on to a more quiet lifestyle. However, his retirement is interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. 

To combat the threat, Odinson enlists the help of King Valkyrie, Korg (Taika Waititi), and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who — to his surprise — inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. And can we say, that's a sight we won't forget for a while! 

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