Star-studded premiere of ‘Welcome to Punjab’ held in Lahore  

LAHORE: The star-studded premiere of Welcome to Punjab – released to coincide with Independence Day – was held at a local cinema in Lahore, drawing a glittering line-up of Pakistan’s film and television personalities.

Directed by Shahzad Rafique and produced by Safdar Malik, Welcome to Punjab combines romance, comedy and cultural richness, with a cast of established stars and fresh faces.

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The event was attended by lead actors Aadi Khan and Zara Hayat, alongside Iftikhar Thakur, Qaiser Piya, Khawar Khan, Shahzaib Mirza, Achhi Khan, Mumtaz Begum, veteran director Syed Noor, Safdar Malik, Pervaiz Kaleem, Masood Butt, Meera, Laila, Suhail Malik, Altamash Butt, Shahid Rana, Javed Raza, Z.A. Zulfi, Fariha Jabeen, Suhana Rajput, Talat Shah, Sadaf Rajput, Mumtaz Shabbir, Farooq Butt and many others.

Speaking to the media, Syed Noor praised director Shahzad Rafique and producer Safdar Malik for making a “wonderful film” and extended his congratulations.

Rafique, who also penned the story, said the film promotes inter-provincial harmony and thanked Malik and the cast for their trust and dedication.

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“We have made the film; now it’s up to the audiences to come to cinemas and watch it. This is a made-in-Pakistan film, presented in the finest way,” he said.

Producer Malik lauded Rafique’s work and said the entire cast. including Javed Sheikh, Bushra Ansari, Sajid Hasan, Firdous Jamal, Yasir Nawaz, Adnan Siddiqui and Goshi Khan had put in great effort.

Welcome to Punjab marks Mumtaz’s comeback

One of the most interesting elements of Welcome to Punjab is that it marks the return of veteran actress Mumtaz after nearly three decades.

News of her comeback was broken by Saqib Malik, who posted a video on Instagram showing Mumtaz during the shoot of the film at his residence in Karachi.

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The legendary actress, who ruled the big screen for more than two decades, bid farewell to the film industry in the 1990s.

Mumtaz, once a sensation, played leading roles in Pyaar Ka Mausam (1975), Mohabbat Zindagi Hai (1975), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1975), and Amber (1978).

The Nigar Award winner described Welcome to Punjab as a “quality production.”