Dawn Images

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

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.