Urwa replaces Sana Javed in upcoming musical film Rangreza

A romantic musical Rangreza is in the making, and it now boasts the likes of Urwa Hocane in its cast.

The film, which also stars Bilal Ashraf and Gohar Rasheed in main roles, earlier featured Pyaray Afzal star Sana Javed in the female lead, but she dropped out due to "date issues" and "some family emergency".

In stepped Urwa Hocane.

"We didn't think twice before casting Urwa," revealed the producer Usman Malkani. "We brought her on board just a couple of hours before rolling the camera. She's just like a blessing for our film."

Urwa confirmed that she has signed on to the film, "I've started shooting for the film already."

While she doesn't reveal much about the film, she shares that her character named Reshmi is "a kind-hearted, soulful, beautiful girl. Her purity makes her rare. She is as reshmi as her name."

Rangreza will be directed by first-time director Aamir Mohiuddin, who describes it as "a film based on music, in which we are exploring the contrast between classical qawwali and modern pop music. A love story will join the contrast," shares the director.

The film also stars veteran actor Akber Subhani, as well as Saleem Mairaj, Tanveer Jamal and Shahid Naqvi. Its music has been directed by the film's writer Akhtar Qayyum, who has been a music director and producer for 30 years. The eight song soundtrack features Qurram Hussain (Q) of Josh, Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohammad qawwals and others.

While the film is being shot in Karachi, its songs are planned in "never-before-seen areas of Pakistan."

It is slated for a 2017 release.