Pakistani Cinema is resuscitating and how. With young blood like Nabeel Qureshi, Bilal Lashari, and veterans like Nadeem Baig and others infiltrating our cinemas with fresh content and technical expertise, seems like our movies can finally be showcased on a global platform without any qualms. From light-hearted rom-com to spine-chilling murder, 2022 brought with itself some of the most fantastic assortments of Pakistani movie releases throughout the year.
The revival of Pakistani cinema post-pandemic went on to release as many as 25 movies. Let’s talk about these movies and how much did they earn on box office records.
1. Javed Iqbal:
Javed Iqbal is based on the life of serial killer Javed Iqbal who killed more than 100 children in Lahore between 1998 and 1999. Javed Iqbal was released on January 25th, 2022. Starring Yassir Hussain, Rabya Julsoom, and Kaleem Ghori, Javed Iqbal, was initially banned by the Central Board Of Film Censors but later released on its date.
2. Ishrat Made In China:
A spin-off of the comedy-drama serial “Ishrat Baji” that gave actor Mohib Mirza his major break on television screens, the movie Ishrat Made In China was released on March 3rd, 2022. Starring Sanam Saeed and Mohib Mirza in lead roles, Ishrat Made In China were about a man Ishrat who leaves for China to fulfill his dream but gets into trouble with the local gang. The movie, however, tanked miserably at the box office and didn’t manage to cover even the production costs.
3. Parde Mein Rahne Do:
Released on May 3rd, Parde Mein Rahne Do was a lighted-hearted rom-com that carried the taboo topic of infertility. Starring Hania Aamir and Ali Rahman in the lead roles, A complete masala-packed entertainer Parde Mein Rahne Do was one of Eid-Ul-Fitr releases that managed to pull audiences into the cinemas and became one of the highest-grossing films at the box office.
4. Dum Mustam:
Dum Mustam, released on 3rd May penned by actor Ammar Khan and produced by actor Adnan Siddiqi was a romantic movie. Starring Ammar khan and Imran Ashraf in lead roles, Dum Mustam received mixed to negative reviews not only on performance but also storyline and screenplay. It made a worldwide gross collection of Rs 10.14 crore over the budget of Rs 7 crore and turned out to be a failure at the box office.
5. Chakkar:
Under the production banner of Farid Nawaz Productions, Chakkar got released on 3rd May. The Neelum Muneer and Ahsan Khan starrer movie got a lukewarm response at the box office with negative reviews from critics towards its performance, storyline, and direction.
6. Tere Bajray Ki Rakhi:
Starring Saima Noor, Jannat Mirza, and Abdullah Khan, Tere Bajre Di Rakhi is a story of emotions and passions smeared in the soil and culture of Punjab where the simple folks still relate it each other. Made it by ace director Syed Noor to revive Punjabi Cinema, Tere Bajray Di Rakhi received a great response at the box office.
7. Ghabrana Nahi Hai:
Again, one of the Eid Ul Fitr releases, Ghabrana Nahi Hai starred Saba Qamar and Zahid Ahmed as the lead couple. The movie revolves around Zubeida (Saba Qamar) fighting for justice for her father and instead falling into a love triangle of sorts. Saba Qamar received praise for her role from critics and audiences alike. The film topped not only the charts, but it also earned a total of 14 crores over the budget of Rs 6 crore making it highest grossing movie of Eid-ul-Fitr.
8. Kamli:
Sarmad Khoosat officially forayed into commercial movies with Kamli and knocked it out of the park with his genius. A femicentric romantic thriller Kamli was released on June, 3rd and won the audience’s hearts and critics alike with its amazing star cast, brilliant cinematography, and illustrative storyline.
9. Thori Setting Thora Pyar:
Thori Setting Thora Pyar was released on the 3rd of June. It was about a girl Amal played by Saeed Imtiaz who in pursuit of marrying a rich guy traps Faris played by Malik Aqeel. A romantic drama movie, Thori setting Thora Pyar has a rating of 5.5 on IMDb rating chart.
10. Peeche To Dekho:
A comedy-horror movie, Peeche To Dekho follows the story of two friends who visit a haunted house out of curiosity and encounter a witch played by Waqar Hussain who lives with ladies. Starring Yasir Hussain and Sarah Khan in lead roles, the movie was released on the 17t June.
11. London Nahi Jaonga:
Starring Humayun Saeed, Kubra Khan, and Mehwish Hayat in a love triangle of sorts, London Nahi Jonga turned out to be 2022’s best family entertainer with the right amount of humor and important social messages thrown in. Released on the 10th of July, London Nahi Jaonga turned out to be 3rd highest-grossing movie earning around 55 crores worldwide.
12. Quaid E Azam Zindabad:
Released on the 10th of July, Quaid E Azam Zindabad was fun and entertaining with a great message weaved in it. Mahira Khan, and Fahad Mustafa in the lead roles, Quaid E Azam Zindabad is yet another genius from director Nabeel Qureshi which earned about 42.05 crores making it one of the highest-grossing movies of 2022.
13. Lafangey:
Lafangay was a comedy horror genre released in 2022, written and directed by Abdul Khalique Khan. Lafangay is about four friends who plan to live in a haunted house and decide to compete with them. Starring Sami Khan, Saleem Mairaj, Mani, and others, Lafangay was released on July 10th. Was rejected by the censor board due to some vulgar dialogue but later they released it.
14. Carma:
Carma, our very own first-of-its-kind action-packed Tarantino-inspired was released on the 2nd Sept. The genre of movie was a crime thriller based on a kidnapping situation that eventually went horribly wrong. Carma received quite positive reviews from the audience and its rating on IMDB is 9.5 which is great.
15. Legend Of Maula Jatt:
The Legend Of Maulah Jatt broke records left right and center and how. A blockbuster movie that’s starred Fawad Khan, Humza Ali Abbasi, MAhira Khan and Humaima Ali created magic that no Pakistani movie has managed to do. Directed by Bilal Lashari, this magnum opus took 11 years the making. The Legend Of Maulah Jatt was released on October 13th made around whooping 238.9 Crores at the box office making it the highest-grossing Pakistani film of all time. The blockbuster movie is still running in cinemas internationally as well as locally.
16. Joyland
Joyland has been shortlisted for Best International Film at the Oscars among 15 other movies. Joyland directed by Saim Siddiq was not only screened at Canned De Festival, it has also won an award in the Un regard category. Staring Sarwat Gillani, Alina Khan, Rasti Farooq, and others, Joyland released on November 18th, has received a tremendous response from the International audience but was banned in Pakistan for its objectionable content.
17. Tich Button:
Starring Farhan Saeed, Iman Aly, Feroz Khan, and Sonya Hussain in lead roles, Tich Button is a comedy-drama film directed by Qasim Ali Mureed. The movie has made over 5 crore PKR in box office revenue, domestic and foreign combined.
18. Zaraar:
Zaraar, released on November 25th, is based on true-life events that feature a Pakistani spy fighting against enemies trying to destabilize the country. The movie stars Kiran Malik, Nadeem Baig, Nayyar Ejaz, and Shafqat Cheema. Zaraar amassed 7.5 crore rupees in revenue, domestic and foreign combined.
19: Yaara Vey:
Starring Sami Khan, Aleeze Naseer, and Faizan Khawaja in the lead roles, Yaara Vey Abandons the idea to rely on comedy and sweeps your feet off with a romantic saga based on the love triangle. Released on December 2nd, 2022, Yaara Vey was written by Mahwash Ejaz and Althea Kaushal while it was directed by Manish Pawar.
Some of the other Pakistani movies released in 2022 were,
Chaudary
John
Rehbra
Intezar