In director Asad ul Haq’s own words, Dekh Magar Pyaar Say is a film that’ll make you happy. “You’ll leave the cinema wanting to dance,” he said when talking to Instep after a wrap-up party held in Karachi. The movie is ready and raring for release this Independence Day weekend; it releases alongside Moor and Shah on August 14. Did he feel DMPS would put up formidable competition? “Look at the films currently in cinemas,” he replied. “They’re all doing well and are fully booked. People will watch all films, depending on their mood and occasion.”
Just to recap facts and figures, DMPS is a film shot in a record-breaking 45 days, which, Asad clarifies does not mean it’s a small or short film. The 45 day shoot was scheduled as a challenge, to maximize production and cut out wastage of time completely. It isn’t small budget either, as is commonly perceived. Infact “we’ve blown the budget,” Asad said. The biggest challenge was making everyone happy, he added…”it was a b$%*h of a shoot!”
Asad is someone committed to making Pakistan look good, as is proven by the ads he shoots (the Olpers Ramzan campaign and Coke Studio Cricket campaign being prime examples). The USP of DMPS will be its feel-good factor and a positive branding of Pakistan. “I want people to come in and say they had a good time,” he wrapped up the conversation. “I want Pakistan to look good. I want the world to see that we are happy-go-lucky people too!”
