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Hamza Ali Abbasi and Osman Khalid Butt to star in Pakistan's 'Top Gun'

Hamza Ali Abbasi and Osman Khalid Butt to star in Pakistan's 'Top Gun'

Hum Film's next venture is a tribute to the Pakistani airforce
Updated 24 Feb, 2017

Pakistan is set to make its own Top Gun, and the film will star "two Tom Cruises" - that is, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Osman Khalid Butt.

That's enough to get our attention.

The film, titled Parwaaz Hai Junoon, is a Hum TV venture that's intended to pay tribute to the Pakistani airforce. Diyar-e-Dil and Mann Mayal director Haseeb Hasan will make his debut as film director with this project, while Bin Roye writer Farhat Ishtiaq has been entrusted with its script. The film will release in 2017.

Read on: Hamza Ali Abbasi is learning how to fly for HUM TV's next film. Will he play a pilot?

The actors are super-stoked to be part of the film.

"Not many people know that when I was 7 or 8 years old, I was quite the daredevil," shared Osman of his childhood. "In [amusement park] rides, most people feel nauseated, but I used to feel thrilled. I remember this family came to my sister and told her that I should be a pilot. This thing stuck with me. I still remember the face of the man who said it."

He continued, "When I grew up, the thrill turned into romanticism, like fighting for my country and soaring through the skies. Unfortunately, due to some circumstances, I'm an actor now. I could not become a pilot but I'm very grateful to the airforce, to Hum Films, to Momina Duraid and especially Haseeb Hasan who gave me this opportunity to do in reel life what I couldn't do in real life."

Also read: Ainy Jaffri and Osman Khalid Butt to star in Haissam Hussain's film

Osman Khalid Butt and Hamza Ali Abbasi at the film announcement yesterday
Osman Khalid Butt and Hamza Ali Abbasi at the film announcement yesterday

Hamza Ali Abbasi is just as enthused about the project.

"I got the opportunity to travel in a CASA airplane, which was great and better than PIA, to be honest," began Hamza Ali Abbasi.

"There are very few chances for actors or media people to do something for their own country apart from entertaining them. and I think this one is those opportunities. This film is being made for a particular institute, but I think it's an honour and privilege to be given this chance to show the face of the airforce to the world.

"Yesterday, I was attending a Defence Day program in Multan. Many families of our martyrs were present. We read or watch their stories, but when you meet with their families, we actually feel that they are real people, people [whose sacrifices allow us] to have press conferences in luxury hotels. I’m thankful to Sultana Aapa and Momina that they gave us a chance as an actor. We will definitely put our heart and soul in it."

As for the leading lady of the film, producer Momina Duraid said, "we haven’t announced our leading lady. It’s a secret. We will announce her next month, [before which] we would want the viewers to give us suggestion as to who they want to see with [Hamza and Osman]."

She added, "We are trying to show real-life airforce pilots, real-life airforce personalities to give [a realistic feel] to the film. So other than the lead actors, the cast is from the Pakistani airforce."

Parwaaz Hai Junoon will release in 2017.

Comments

Aamer Sep 08, 2016 12:40pm
Best of luck, so happy to hear Pakistan film industry i coming up with quality productions. Love the cast so far but why is the leading lady a secret? Please dont let it be Humaima Malik.
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Abbas Jaffri Sep 08, 2016 12:43pm
After watching Man Mayal Hamza Abbasi's choice as an air force pilot is damning to say the least. His performance in the serial could only be rated at maybe 1.5 to 2.00 on a scale of 10. besides, his personal views expressed on social media also disqualifies for the role as he portrays himself to be totally anti-establishment and according to him NOTHING works in Pakistan anymore. For me personally, he is too short and stout anyway for a PAF pilot.
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Asif Kashmiri Sep 08, 2016 12:51pm
Excellent - keep it up boys!
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MK Sep 08, 2016 01:11pm
Wohoo... ''Pakistan is set to make its own Top Gun, and the film will star "two Tom Cruises" - that is, Hamza Ali Abbasi and Osman Khalid Butt'' love this line dawn...
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Sania Sep 08, 2016 01:25pm
He is a true patriot he loves army his father as major of Pakistan army fought in both 65 & 71 wars & he portrayed his role as a soldier in waar movie very well & who can forget the phenomenal payaare afzal ..... He is best for the role of Pakistan air force fighter pilot ..... don't cloud ur judgement just cox he has different political views than urs
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Imran AB Sep 08, 2016 02:32pm
@Abbas Jaffri : Normally they are looking for short people to become airforce pilots
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Sameer Sep 08, 2016 03:16pm
Rest of the cast is airforce. Thats stupid... why not just have real fightet pilots play the role. Bring something worth of like alpha bravo charlie.
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M. Sajjad Sep 08, 2016 05:05pm
@Abbas Jaffri Wah, so you are disqualifying him bcoz of his statuses, How ridiculous is this! & 2ndly It was only him that MANMYAL kept the highest ratings till the end & the drama.
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Zak Sep 08, 2016 09:54pm
Looking forward to it.
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Nabeel Tirmazi Sep 09, 2016 06:50am
In past, PTV had made Top Gun version with the name of Shahpar, starring Faisal Rehman ....I think they should have come up with something new ...but even then...Best of luck :)
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Pakistani Sep 09, 2016 07:50am
I am sure this is going to be worth watching.
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