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The star-studded cast of the upcoming movie Neelofar met the press at Karachi’s historic Frere Hall on Friday, speaking about the movie’s significance in Pakistan’s media landscape and giving us a peek into the film’s years-long production process.

Star and executive producer Fawad Khan said the film was the result of “five years of hard work”, adding that he decided to produce this film — his first as a producer — because he loved the script when he first read it and wanted to take a chance on it.

Fawad’s on-screen partner, Mahira Khan, said she liked the story, but had to say yes because Fawad asked her to join — the two have a history of hit projects together, rising to national fame together for their roles in the beloved drama Humsafar. On the film, she said, “Sometimes, you get projects where you want to play whatever role you can.”

Behroze Sabzwari had similar motivations for joining the film, saying he “just couldn’t say no to Fawad”. He said it was good the film was releasing simultaneously in cinemas in Pakistan and abroad, lamenting how going to the cinema had become unaffordable for the masses and was enjoyed by “maybe the elite five per cent”.

Atiqa Odho was glad the “Humsafar family [had] come together” for Neelofar — she and Sabzwari were part of the project alongside Fawad and Mahira. She said her experiences working in Pakistani cinema in the 90s shaped her as an actor and she was disheartened to see the “legends and icons [she worked with] starve” from lack of state and public support for the industry.

Odho said she had been invited to next month’s Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, where she planned to call for investment in the Pakistani film industry.

Sarwat Gilani said the film wasn’t rushed and making it was a “slow and deliberate process”. She also said the film industry was in need of support from home and told potential financiers to “give us a chance, we won’t disappoint”.

Madiha Imam said she enjoyed making the film with Fawad and the team, saying she was “very well taken care of” throughout. Sabzwari chimed in saying the cast gave their best performances because they were all pampered and owed it to the team and to audiences.

Talking about the film’s soundtrack, Fawad said director Ammar Rasool had a “sensitive approach to films” and deserves credit for the music. He said Rasool found the musicians and took a great interest in the songs. When asked what their favourite song was, the cast almost unanimously said ‘Ja Rahe’.

Neelofar is set to be released in cinemas on November 28.