Dawn Images

We heard it straight from the producer's mouth.

Earlier, reports stated that Osman Khalid Butt would be starring alongside Hamza Ali Abbasi in upcoming film Parwaaz Hai Junoon. However, now it seems Sammi actor Ahad Raza Mir has been cast in his place.

"Ahad was much more suitable [for the role]," explained Momina Duraid when asked for the reason of re-casting. "That's because he [Osman Khalid Butt] had some Balu Mahi commitments; his promotions were coinciding with our shoot schedule and we couldn't afford to push our dates ahead."

She added, "It was a mutual decision. Maybe, next time."

With Osman's replacement, his character has also been revised; Ahad will be presented "with a completely different look. Plus, when we finalised the traits post casting, we wanted the character to be a 19-year-old," revealed the producer.

Osman soon took to Facebook to confirm the news:

Momina further mentioned the confirmed cast members for the HUM TV project: "Hania Amir is final, Marina Khan is final, Hamza Ali Abbasi is on-board, Shaz Khan is final -- this is the final cast."

She pointed that there will be another girl brought on-board, and so far Kubra Khan has been penned down for the role, however it's not confirmed yet.

The venture is the filmmaking debut of award-winning director Haseeb Hasan and has been penned by Farhat Ishtiaq of Humsafar, Diyar-e-Dil and Udaari fame.

The film is being produced in collaboration with Pakistan Airforce and intends to pay tribute to the armed forces by highlighting true events. It will also feature real-life airforce pilots and personalities alongside the lead cast.

Parwaaz Hai Junoon is slated to release in 2017.