Reema Khan to light up big screen again after 16 years

KARACHI: Pakistani film star Reema Khan is set to return to the big screen after a gap of nearly 16 years, joining filmmaker Wajahat Rauf’s upcoming film ‘Panchi Pyare’, scheduled for release on Eidul Fitr 2027.

The announcement was made by the film’s producer, Shazia Wajahat, in an Instagram post in which she expressed excitement over the actress’s return and described it as an honour to work with her.

Welcoming Reema to the project, Shazia announced the film’s title and confirmed its planned Eidul Fitr 2027 release. The film will be directed by Wajahat Rauf and presented by Showcase Films.

Rauf has described ‘Panchi Pyare’ as a family comedy with strong emotional elements, saying Reema liked the script and decided to join the project. However, details about her character, the rest of the cast and the storyline have not yet been disclosed.

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The announcement has drawn reactions from members of the entertainment industry, with actor Imran Abbas among those welcoming Reema’s return to cinema.

A leading face of 1990s Pakistani cinema

Reema, one of the most prominent actresses of Pakistan’s film industry during the 1990s and 2000s, made her breakthrough with Javed Fazil’s Bulandi in 1990. She went on to build a career spanning more than two decades, appearing in over 200 films in Urdu and Punjabi cinema.

Her popularity grew through a series of commercially successful and widely recognised films, establishing her as one of the leading female stars of Lollywood at a time when Pakistani cinema was producing a steady stream of mainstream Urdu and Punjabi productions.

Among her best-known films are Zameen Aasman (1994), Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya (1995), Love 95 (1996), Umar Mukhtar (1997), Nikah (1998), Mujhe Chand Chahiye (2000), Pehchaan (2000), Fire (2002) and Shararat (2003).

Her performances in Nikah and Mujhe Chand Chahiye were particularly recognised, while Shararat further showcased her screen presence in a comedy.

Reema also shared the screen with several leading actors of her era, including Nadeem, Shaan Shahid, Moammar Rana and Javed Sheikh, and became a familiar name among audiences across Pakistan.

From acting to directing and producing

Beyond acting, Reema expanded her role in the film industry by moving behind the camera as a director and producer.

She made her directorial and production debut with Koi Tujh Sa Kahan in 2005, starring Moammar Rana, Nadeem Baig, Veena Malik and Babrak Shah. The film earned recognition at the Lux Style Awards, where Reema received honours for her work as a filmmaker and actress.

She later directed and produced Love Mein Ghum, released in 2011. The film featured an ensemble cast that included Javed Sheikh, Jia Ali and Johnny Lever.

Love Mein Ghum was her last major film release, making Panchi Pyare her return to cinema after nearly 16 years.

Over the course of her career, Reema received several awards and honours for her contribution to Pakistani entertainment. In 2019, she was awarded the Pride of Performance in recognition of her services to the country’s film industry.

A return to an evolving film industry

Reema’s return comes as Pakistan’s film industry continues to evolve, with filmmakers seeking to attract audiences through new stories, established performers and Eid releases.

Her career spans a period when Lollywood enjoyed considerable popularity through Urdu and Punjabi films, as well as the subsequent changes in production, distribution and cinema-going habits.

Her participation in Panchi Pyare brings a veteran star of that era into a new film project directed by a filmmaker associated with contemporary Pakistani cinema.

With the film targeting the Eidul Fitr 2027 release window, further details about its cast, plot and Reema’s role are awaited.