Jugni Nachdi Ay: Lohar in Lollywood

Syed Noor’s Jugni Nachdi Ay is Arif Lohar’s comeback to the big screen.

LAHORE:

Lollywood’s veteran director Syed Noor’s latest cinematic endeavour Jugni Nachdi Ay is set to enthral audiences across the country. The film is about a village love story and brings the folk singer back to big screen after a long hiatus. The cast also includes Moammar Rana, Shaan, and Saima.

“Arif Lohar fits well into his role in the film,” comments Rana who is looking forward to the release of three of his films on Eid. “I think the biggest thing is that the audiences will be entertained. He looks nice in his role,” adds the actor.

Lohar, who had called it quits with Lollywood to focus on his music career, will be playing the role of a folk singer. Further details about the character, including his name, are yet to be disclosed.

The film took two years to be shot before being sent to India to be edited. Jugni Nachdi Ay will feature five item songs sung by Lohar including his “Coke Studio” hit “Alif Allah”. In one of the tracks, theatre artist Nida Chaudhry will be featured in a Punjabi dance number, choreographed by Pappu Samrat.

The film’s title song, which has been released online, was recorded at the studio of Noor’s Paragon Academy of Performing Arts (Papa). The rendition is a distant attempt to capture the production quality experienced in “Coke Studio” version of the song, which featured the vocals of Meesha Shafi.

The plot of Jugni Nachdi Ay revolves around three men who fall in love with the same girl, Jugni, played by Saima. Rana and Shaan’s characters in the film are those of friends who are competing with each other for Jugni’s love.

Rana, who plays a negative role in the film, believes that the film is one of a kind in terms of its cast, saying that his role in the film challenged his acting skills. “This is a different role for me. My character is an individual who is in love, but takes a negative approach,” says Rana. “In the film, Shaan and I play difficult roles as we are friends but we both are in love with Jugni.”

Rana adds that the real excitement for him as an actor is that Syed Noor has directed the film. The actor wants to ensure that the film is screened all over the country and in multiplex cinemas as well. “We are really optimistic about this film. Let’s hope for the best and make sure that we give a chance to the film to succeed before writing it off completely,” says Rana. Dismissing the idea that Punjabi language will lessen the film’s nation-wide marketability, he says: “If that is the case, then Chooriyan as well as many other films would not have been such hits.”

Noor believes that while Saima’s presence in the film is a great addition to its star-studded cast, Lohar’s performance will provide great entertainment to the viewers.

“When I had designed and written the film, I had done it with Lohar in mind. It brings back a good actor, but I think the important thing is that we have a superstar caste,” says Noor.

The editing process of Jugni Nachdi Ay is scheduled to be finished by August 21, and according to the insiders, a press conference is expected to be held on August 25. The film will hit the theatres on Eid.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2011.