Sarwat Gilani has no plans to return for 'JPNA 3'

Actor claims she was sidelined during making and promotion of hit film series

KARACHI:

Actor Sarwat Gilani has opened up about her unpleasant experience working on the 'Jawani Phir Nahi Aani' film series, revealing what she described as unprofessional and dismissive behaviour from the production team led by Humayun Saeed and director Nadeem Baig.

In a recent conversation on Maliha Rehman's YouTube show, Gilani said she has no plans to return for 'Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 3', despite being approached for the project. "I'm running away from JPNA 3. I love Nadeem Baig and Humayun Saeed, but I can't let myself be used again," she stated.

The actor, known for her roles in 'Azar Ki Ayegi Baraat', 'Mere Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley', and 'Seeta Bagri', shared that while she was initially excited to be part of the popular franchise, her experience quickly soured.

She claimed that her role in the first JPNA was cut without notice and that she faced similar treatment in the sequel. "They convinced me to do the second one after I initially refused, promising a complete arc for my character. But once again, my role was reduced," she said.

Gilani also spoke about being excluded from the promotional tour of JPNA 2 despite having booked her own travel. "They were going to London and didn't even share the schedule. I had booked everything, but they never confirmed or replied. It felt like I was used and discarded once their work was done," she shared.

The 'Churails' star expressed that her disappointment stemmed not from creative differences but from the lack of professional courtesy. "If you want to work again with the same team after six years, you have to maintain relationships. That didn't happen. They only remember me when they need work," she said.

While Gilani emphasised that she continues to respect both Humayun Saeed and Nadeem Baig, she was firm about setting boundaries moving forward. "Once you can fool me, but not always. I will not compromise on my self-respect," she added.

Released in 2015 and 2018, the first two 'Jawani Phir Nahi Aani' films were massive box-office successes, featuring an ensemble cast including Saeed, Vasay Chaudhry, and Ahmad Ali Butt. Gilani's portrayal of Gul, a spirited Pashtun woman, was widely praised for its humour and chemistry with Chaudhry's character.

Her recent revelations, however, have cast a shadow over the upcoming third instalment, raising questions about the dynamics behind one of Pakistan's most successful film franchises.

'Jawani Phir Nahi Ani' [Youth won't come again], often abbreviated as JPNA, is a 2015 Pakistani adventure comedy film directed by Nadeem Baig and co-produced by Humayun Saeed, Salman Iqbal and Shahzad Nasib under Six Sigma Plus.

Starring Humayun Saeed, Hamza Ali Abbasi, Ahmad Ali Butt, Vasay Chaudhry and Mehwish Hayat, it became the first instalment in what would grow into one of Pakistan's most successful film franchises.

The story revolves around three married friends - Saif, Sheikh and Pervez - whose dull domestic lives take a turn when their bachelor friend Sherry, a divorce lawyer, takes them on a secret trip to Bangkok.

What follows is a comedy of errors involving love, deception, overbearing wives, and unexpected reunions. The film's vibrant pace, humour and ensemble cast - including Sohai Ali Abro, Javed Sheikh, Bushra Ansari, Sarwat Gillani and Uzma Khan - made it a massive crowd-pleaser.

Shot in Thailand and partially in Karachi, JPNA was released on Eid al-Adha in 2015 and grossed Rs. 494 million worldwide, breaking Waar's box office record to become Pakistan's highest-grossing film at the time.

Its sequel, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, released in August 2018, reunited Nadeem Baig and writer Vasay Chaudhry with an expanded cast featuring Fahad Mustafa and Kubra Khan.

Set in Turkey, the sequel outperformed the original with faster pacing, sharper writing and grander visuals, cementing the JPNA series as a benchmark for Pakistani commercial cinema.