Eagerly-awaited 'Mango Jatt' holds festive music launch

'Film is for all of Pakistan, not just Punjab,' emphasises producer Hareem Farooq in exclusive interview

KARACHI:

Actor and producer Hareem Farooq says her upcoming Punjabi-language film Mango Jatt is intended for audiences across Pakistan and not just Punjabi-speaking viewers, as the film prepares for its theatrical release on October 16.

Speaking to The Express Tribune at the film's music launch in Karachi, Farooq said the project had been a challenging but rewarding experience, adding that bringing it to the screen was a success in itself.

"My message is that people should watch this film with an open heart. It is for all of Pakistan. Just because it is a Punjabi film does not mean it is only for Punjab. It is a film for the entire country," she said.

The film stars Faysal Quraishi and Farooq and brings together action, comedy, romance and Punjabi cultural elements. It is scheduled to release in cinemas across Pakistan and internationally on October 16.

Farooq said audience feedback had been encouraging and expectations had risen as the film's release approached.

"The feedback is growing and expectations have become very high. Allah will make things work out, Insha'Allah. As I have said, for me, it is already a success," she said.

For Farooq, the film also represents an important milestone in her journey as a producer. She said visiting Karachi for the launch was particularly meaningful because of the affection she had received from the city.

"I had to come to Karachi. Without Karachi, my work as a producer would not have been complete. A city that has given me so much love, how could I launch my production house without coming here?" she said.

'Everyone worked from the heart'

Reflecting on her experience as a producer, Farooq said the cast and crew had worked collectively despite difficult shooting conditions.

"I will be honest. Every actor who worked with me on the set gave their heart to the project. When we all came together, everyone would ask what needed to be done," she said.

"We shot some very difficult scenes, worked in the heat and cold, and everyone worked extremely hard. We worked together as a team."

Farooq acknowledged that the production had faced several challenges, with uncertainty at times over whether the film would reach audiences.

"There were so many challenges that, at one point, I thought I did not know whether the film would even happen. I left everything to Allah. The fact that we are standing here today, celebrating it and preparing to show it to audiences, is a success for me," she said.

The actor encouraged audiences to watch the film when it opens in cinemas, saying she was eager to see how viewers responded to the project.

Faysal Quraishi on romance and consent

Quraishi, who plays the lead role in Mango Jatt, described the film as a family entertainer featuring romance, music, comedy and action.

Speaking at the music launch, he said he and the team had been eagerly awaiting the release.

"We have been waiting for this like anything. My wife has asked me so many times when the film is coming out," he said.

Quraishi said the film's romantic elements were intended to be suitable for family audiences.

"It is a very entertaining film. Romance does not necessarily mean that you cannot sit and watch it with your family. It is a little nostalgic, caring kind of romance," he said.

He added that consent was an important underlying theme that audiences would recognise as the story unfolded.

"That is an underlying element of the film," he said.

"There is laughter, humour, action and everything else. We have tried our best to make it an amazing movie. Now we will see how people receive it," he said.

A romantic song close to Quraishi's heart

Asked about his favourite song from the film, Quraishi said he liked the entire soundtrack but was particularly fond of a romantic number featuring him and Farooq.

"All the songs are special, but there is a romantic song featuring Hareem and me that I really like. The song turned out beautifully, and we had a lovely time shooting it," he said.

Farooq also singled out a dialogue from the film that she had not expected to become so popular before release.

The line plays on the film's title and its central character: "Tu Murad Jatt nahi, Mango Jatt, tu mitha vi ain te sohnra vi ain."

Mango Jatt is directed by Abu Aleeha and features a supporting cast that includes Shamoon Abbasi, Qaiser Piya, Honey Albela, Hassan Murad and Ayesha Jahanzeb.