Aksbandh

Aksbandh
Directed byEmran Hussain
Written byEmran Hussain
Ayaz Samoo
Produced byNaveed Arshad
Seemeen Naveed
Emran Hussain
StarringAyaz Samoo
Danial Afzal Khan
Saud Imtiaz
Shehzeen Rahat
Mahrukh Rizvi
Bilal Yousufzai
Arshad Ali
CinematographyFarrukh Hussain
Edited byZack & Yasir Qazi
Music byAjay Gupta
Production
companies
Big Idea Entertainment
Cinematic Media
Distributed byHum Films
Release date
  • 20 May 2016 (2016-05-20)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu & English
BudgetPKR 5.5 million
Box officePRK 2.0 million

Aksbandh (previously Paranormal Karachi Nights[1]) is a supernatural found footage horror film released in 2016, the first film of its kind from Pakistan. It was produced, written, and directed by Emran Hussain and co-written by Ayaz Samoo.[2] Aksbandh was produced under the production banner of Cinematic Media and Big Idea Entertainment. The film features an assembled cast that includes Ayaz Samoo, Saud Imtiaz, Danial Afzal,[3] Bilal Yousufzai, Shehzeen Rahat, Mahrukh Rizvi, and Arshad Ali.

The film was distributed by Hum Films on 20 May 2016 in cinemas nationwide.

Plot

The plot of movie resolves around six friends who set out on a fun adventure trip to Drigh Lake in Larkana,[4] to make a small budget horror film. However, when the trip takes a nasty turn, the six friends find themselves mixed up in paranormal activities.[5]

Cast

  • Ayaz Samoo as Sunny
  • Danial Afzal Khan as Ayaan
  • Saud Imtiaz as Shehzad
  • Shehzeen Rahat as Sadia
  • Bilal Yousufzai as Raheel
  • Mahrukh Rizvi as Aaliya
  • Arshad Ali as Chacha

Production

Aksbandh was completely shot and produced in Pakistan, except for sound recording and mixing, which was done in India.[6]

Marketing and release

A teaser trailer for Aksbandh was revealed on 15 November 2015.[7] The theatrical trailer and final poster for the film was released on 23 April 2016. The film was released across Pakistani cinemas on 20 May 2016.[8]

Reception

A review in Dawn found that "This experiment by ad-makers-turned-producers Naveed Arshad and Seemeen Naveed will no doubt help the film industry along in a big way; irrespective of box office results. Times are now a changing and if we can have more projects like Aksbandh, the future is definitely bright for independent Pakistani films."[9] Another review called the film "a spooky treat".[10] The News International found the film "surprisingly good".[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Paranormal Karachi Nights' is now called 'Aksbandh'". hip. Wajiha Jawaid. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  2. ^ "'It was risky to invest on Pakistan's first found footage film' : Ayaz Samoo". hip. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  3. ^ "Danial Afzal Khan on his upcoming movie 'Aksbandh'". hip. Wajiha Jawaid. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  4. ^ "'Aksbandh's' official trailer is out!". 23 April 2016.
  5. ^ "Aksbandh releasing nationwide on 20th May".
  6. ^ "Aksbandh brings 'found footage' genre to Pakistan | Pakistan Today".
  7. ^ "Pakistani Movie Aksbandh: First Found Footage Film May Hit Screens Soon". brandsynario. Tanzeel Hassan. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Aksbandh releasing nationwide on 20th May".
  9. ^ Alavi, Omair (29 May 2016). "The ticket: Aksbandh, where few dare to tread". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  10. ^ Mahmood, Beenish (24 May 2016). "A spooky treat: Pakistan's first believable found-footage film, Aksbandh". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
  11. ^ Alavi, Omair. "Horror's unexpected victory". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 27 May 2024.