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Bhowani Junction was the first Hollywood film to be shot in Pakistan
Benazir Bhutto personally permitted the makers of Henna to shoot in Pakistan
Jamal Shah made his feature film debut with K2; he had already worked in mini-series Traffik
Pakistan’s film directors may not have used the beautiful locales in the country fully, but international directors have done justice to the locations set in Pakistan. From 1956 to 2010, a lot of Hollywood, and European films – apart from an Indian film – were shot in the country, some of which went on to become classics.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to learn more about these films and how they helped the cinema industry develop in Pakistan.
Bhowani Junction - 1956
When Stewart Granger and Ava Gardner visited Pakistan to shoot the film version of John Masters’ novel Bhowani Junction, Pakistan was hardly a decade old. Though the novel isn’t based in Pakistan, the new country’s location – especially Lahore – suited the makers and they opted for Pakistan, instead of neighboring countries.
The print media in those days covered the film shoot extensively, and the legendary meeting between Test Cricketer Fazal Mahmood and Ava Gardner is now considered part of filmlore in this part of the world. Actress Neelo also made her film debut in this film where she had a minor role as a 15-year-old girl.
Tiger Gang - 1971
Tiger Gang wasn’t just a co-production between West Germany, Italy, and Pakistan, it is part of the popular Kommissar X series which featured Italian actor Tony Kendall in the lead alongside Brad Harris. Directed by Harald Reinl, Tiger Gang was part of the seven films revolving around their characters Private Detective Joe Walker and New York City Police Lieutenant Tom Rowland respectively.
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Pakistani stars Mohammad Ali, Zeba, Nisho, Qavi Khan, Ali Ejaz, and Khalid Saleem Mota also appeared in the film, which released in Pakistan as FBI Operation Pakistan, and even featured a soundtrack for the Pakistani version.
Traffik - 1989
In the late 1980s, British TV channel Channel 4 did a miniseries on the developing drug culture in Pakistan, which was nominated for six BAFTA Awards, winning four.
Directed by Alastair Reid, and featuring Bill Paterson and Julia Ormond in the lead, the series was later adapted into the Award-winning film Traffic in 2000.
Not only was the miniseries shot in Pakistan, but it also featured popular local actors of that era including Jamal Shah, Rahat Kazmi, Talat Hussain, Faryal Gauhar, and Shakeel to name a few.
K2 - 1991
And then there was K2, the biographical drama featuring The Terminator’s Michael Biehn and Matt Craven from Jacob’s Ladder in pivotal roles. Since the film was set around a mountain based in Pakistan, director Franc Roddam went for an on-location shoot which gave the story the authenticity it required.
Pakistan’s very own Jamal Shah also appeared in the film in an important role as the local guide Malik. Even though the film didn’t do well at the box office, critics loved it, since it 'literally' put Pakistan on the Hollywood map.
Henna - 1992
Henna was Bollywood showman Raj Kapoor’s dream project, through which he aimed to bring India and Pakistan closer. However, not many know that some of the sequences were shot in Pakistan, making it the first Indian film to be shot in Pakistan officially.
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Starring Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiar in the title role, and Rishi Kapoor as the main lead, the film's plot revolved around Indian and Pakistani Kashmir. Since the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, was a huge fan of Rishi Kapoor, she gave the director Randhir Kapoor the permission required to shoot in Islamabad and Murree. Also, Hasina Moin wrote the dialogues of the film, marking her entry into Bollywood; she went on to pen a TV series for Star TV later in the '90s as well.
Jinnah - 1998
Although Jamil Dehalvi’s Jinnah was the biopic of Pakistan’s founding father Mohammad Ali Jinnah, it was produced internationally. That’s why international actors like Christopher Lee, Shashi Kapoor, James Fox, Marc Zuber, and Indira Varma were able to act in the movie alongside Pakistani actors Shakeel, Khayyam Sarhadi, Vaneeza Ahmed, and Talat Hussain.
The film did well at the box office and was released in both English and Urdu in Pakistan, making it the first, and perhaps definitive, biopic on the first Governor General of the country. Even after 25 years, it still ranks amongst the best works of Christopher Lee, who had previously been popular for his portrayal of Bram Stoker's Dracula in Hollywood.
Vertical Limit - 2000
After the success of Cliffhanger in the '90s, many producers decided to go for thrillers revolving around mountain climbers. Vertical Limit was one such film which was shot in Pakistan’s mountain region, and even featured actors playing Pakistani characters.
The director of two James Bond and Zorro films, Martin Campbell was the director of this film, which also featured an ensemble cast. Popular actor Chris O'Donnell is the lead, as is Twister's Bill Paxton, as well as Hollywood legend Scott Glenn. Robin Tunney who later appeared in TV shows Prison Break and The Mentalist also had a pivotal role in the movie. And they all came to Pakistan to work in the movie!
Nanga Parbat - 2010
Nanga Parbat was the last international film to be shot in Pakistan, and even though it wasn’t released in the country, it did manage to turn heads due to its jaw-dropping shots. Directed by Joseph Vilsmaier, the story revolves around two brothers who want to reach the top of Nanga Parbat, located in Pakistan.
- YouTubeNANGA PARBAT - Joseph Vilsmaier, 2009 - 100' Guardalo su PlayAlpinismo: ...
The film was shot in both Rawalpindi and the mountains in the Himalayan territory, giving a real-life feel to the story. Although not many films have been shot in Pakistan since, one hopes that international filmmakers will return to the country, soon.
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