KARACHI: After a hiatus of a few months, the trailer launch for, and three songs of, an upcoming film Daadal attracted on Friday evening at Cinepax Cinema a big number of journalists that cover cultural events. While the writer and director of the movie Abu Aleeha could not make it to the function for reasons that weren’t provided to the media, the cast — Sonya Hussain, Mohsin Abbas Haider and Rizwan Ali Jaffri — along with the producer of the project, Neha Laaj, turned up.

The two male lead actors — Mohsin Abbas Haider and Rizwan Ali Jaffri — were the first ones to arrive for the red carpet razzmatazz. The red carpet space was a bit smaller than what one is used to seeing, perhaps which is why the actors’ stay there was brief. Sonya Hussain arrived later.

After a bit of the familiar showbizy hullabaloo, the attendees went into one of cinema halls located in the facility. Proceedings began with the trailer for the film. It was followed by three songs. The first one, sung by the rapper Eva B, was filmed on the female protagonist; the second, the male version of that track, on Rizwan Jaffri; and the third, a different song focused on Mohsin Abbas.

The question-answer session did not last for long either. Replying to a query, Ms Hussain, who’s playing a boxer from Lyari in the movie, said she usually does roles that do not require her to be decked up. It was an amazing experience for her to work in that neighbourhood. “I got to realise by being there that Karachi’s real artists come from Lyari. Footballers, boxers etc… The reason for making the film was that we don’t look at Lyari the way it should be looked at.”

The film will be released countrywide on Eid

Mr Haider told the media that during the shooting of the project the cast spent a good deal of time in Lyari and interacted with its residents. “They are a very welcoming, loving people. We got to learn that never believe in stories that you hear.”

Mr Jaffri said he started his career as a model. It’s a field where the focus is on aesthetics. “[But] in this film, I’ve tried to look as maila (rough and tough) as possible. It was a great experience.”

Neha Laaj delivered the vote of thanks. Ghalib Kamal moderated the launch.

According to a press release, Daadal is a crime mystery revolving around a well-known female boxer from Lyari who becomes a contract killer in order to avenge her sister’s honor.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2023