Humayun Saeed’s Daag to kick off next year

Humayun Saeed’s talks to us about his new film venture, Daag, which is set to begin shooting in March 2011.

KARACHI: Humayun Saeed’s film venture, , is set to begin shooting in March 2011.

The actor and producer told The Express Tribune, “The shooting of the film was to begin at this time of the year but keeping in mind the current situation of Pakistan, from floods to the political unrest, my primary focus remains to be the artists who are going to travel from India. That’s why I have now moved the dates of the shooting of the film to March next year.”

When questioned about scriptwriter Shagufta Rafique’s claim that the movie has been scrapped, he said, “Well, she had issues earlier with the dates being extended and had said so, but currently there is no issue and we are moving ahead with the project.”

Rafique had earlier told The Express Tribune that Daag’s story was fictional, but as far as Saeed is concerned the storyline is based on the real-life story of a rape victim.

While Saeed had earlier hoped to cast Juggan Kazim in the lead role, he now says that a newcomer will star in the film. “Shagufta Rafique and creative director Mahesh Bhatt sahib are looking out for a new face for the film that is why they are auditioning girls. According to them, Juggan is a pretty face but not a new one.”

Saeed said the estimated budget of the film will be “Rs40 million, or Rs45 million at the maximum.” However, he cannot guarantee how much revenue it will generate. “Well, nobody can be sure when it comes to Pakistan,” he said.

The actor also confirmed that cameraman Mujahid Raza from the Life in a Metro crew will shoot the movie and the soundtrack will feature Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar and Nauman Javed.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2010.