Red carpet, free snacks, celebrities... free snacks. (Sometimes they don't have free snacks and we do not appreciate that at all, but that rant is for another time.)
All in all, it's a pretty happening event and eventually you detect a method to the madness — the showtime is rarely ever when they say it is, the major celebrities often don't turn up on the red carpet until you're already seated in the cinema, etc etc.
After a while, you also start noticing a pattern to the people who attend movie premieres.
Here are 5 kinds of people you're bound to spot at a Pakistani movie premiere.
1) The 'mufta'
Anyone who asks Iss film may hai kaun? at a movie premiere clearly just had some time to kill... and a free movie ticket. This person is often a more important person's plus one and tends to lose their partner who is busy schmoozing with other VIPs.
The mufta is spotted lounging about, phoro-ing on free popcorn and drinks, and expects to be entertained in the next few hours.
Let's hope they didn't get a premiere pass to Raasta...
Better yet, let's hope they did. #ThatWillTeachThem
2) The PR phupho
Now this person takes movie premieres far more seriously. She (or he, you'd be surprised) turns it into a family excursion.
The said phupho probably has an aisle booked in her name and gets offended when organisers didn't think to keep a seat for her sister's brother-in-law's best friend's son's possible fiancee. If she can't demonstrate her connections, how else will the poor lad impress the girl.
You'll immediately recognise this person as they'll be the one yelling at some staffer about not letting in their family. You can't miss them — they're loud and screechy, we're talking "Who gives you that right!?" screechy.