KARACHI: Promotions for upcoming Pakistani film ‘London Nahi Jaunga’ began in the UAE today, Tuesday, ahead of the movie’s premiere in Dubai on July 7 and its release in Pakistan next month over the Eid Al-Adha holiday. 

The much-anticipated London Nahi Jaunga was initially scheduled to release in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now the Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat-starrer will hit the screens in July.

The film has been directed by Nadeem Baig, who is a frequent collaborator with Saeed, and is behind some of Pakistan’s highest-grossing films like Jawani Phir Nahi Ani, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2.

In the latest film, Saeed’s character Fawad Khagga goes to London to chase after Hayat, Zara in the film, in a bid to bring her back to Pakistan as his bride.

Speaking to Arab News, Hayat said the movie was not a sequel to her 2017-starrer Punjab Nahi Jaungi (PNJ) despite the fact that the cast was roughly the same. 

“It is funny and also interesting that it is almost the same cast, same team but the story is completely different – the premise, the characters and the dynamics,” she said in an interview last week. 

The film had everything for fans — emotions, a family drama, love, heartbreak, betrayal and humor –, Hayat said, adding that humor was the main ingredient of the film.

“There would be scenes where there is a very serious dialogue going on but then there would be something to laugh at, something humorous,” she said. “The dialogues are going to be remembered forever.”

“Mohabbat science hoti hai,” Saeed said, repeating a dialogue from the film that means love is a science. “Bicharna art hota hai,” a smiling Hayat replied, meaning separation is an art.

Speaking about her character Zara, Hayat said she was headstrong a woman “with a mission.”

“And the mission, I cannot really mention or share anything about it … even in the trailer, they have kept it very ambiguous … but it is all going to be clear once you watch the movie,” she said. “That mission, people will get to see when they watch the movie. So, there is a mystery around my character and I love that.”

Both Hayat and Saeed said they were relieved the film would be hitting the screens after the coronavirus disrupted previous release schedules.

“Of course, we are very excited; after a long time, I am coming back on the screen,” Saeed told Arab News. “I was dying for it.”

“We actually lost weight, looked better, and were performing better because I think we evolved during the two and half years as actors also,” Hayat added. “I think it actually worked for us.”

The actress said her on-screen chemistry with Saeed was an added advantage, as was the fact that the two had been working with each other for the past eight years.

“We just get along really well as friends also, off-screen,” she said. “There is a certain energy and synergy that we bring to the screen. And it’s just very spontaneous, that once the camera is on…there are some fireworks.”

London Nahi Jaunga will face stiff competition when it releases on Eid side by side with another high-budget Pakistani film, Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, which stars acting powerhouses Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan. 

But Hayat said “healthy competition” was much needed for the industry’s success.

“Both films are amazing. I have great hopes from Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad,” she said.

Saeed piped in: “I really liked the trailer. “

“The good thing is the genres are also different, people are excited about both the movies,” Hayat said. “We have always had competition. We are pretty used to it. It is probably what works for us.”