Janaan

Plot

Armeena Khan (Meena) lives in Vancouver, Canada and studies there. Her family back home (Swat, Pakistan) are waiting for her arrival after eleven years for a cousin's wedding Palwasha aka Paash (Haania Aamir) As soon as she arrives she meets her cousin Asafandyar (Bilal Ashraf). Their other cousin Danyal (Ali Rehman Khan) also arrives to Swat from Islamabad where he and his parents live. Asfandyar and Palwasha are siblings who live in Swat. Upon Meena's arrival everyone rejoices and meets her. Palwasha takes Meena to her room and starts chit chat with her and tells her about her engagement with Samir and all the drama that happened because Samir was a Punjabi. After a series of light comedy events the wedding preparations start. Danyal shows interest in Meena and does things to impress her but his care free attitude compels Meena to take him seriously. She on the other hand is impressed by Asfandyar's serious attitude and the way he's quiet and runs a school for the under privileged class of Swat. The problem arises when a very at the night of Palwasha's mehndi chotu (the servant) tells Asfandyar that their very close family friend and a very well respected figure of Swat who helps Asfandyar with school things is actually abusing the little children at school. Asfandyar gets out of control and slaps him infont of the gathering. This outrages everyone and they are annoyed by Asfandyar's behavior. Danyal's mother (Asfandyar's chachi) mentions that he isn't their own blood that's why he didn't care about the family's repute. This breaks Asfandyar but Danyal consoles him and tells him that he always admired and loved him. Meena slaps Asfandyar for the attitude but later regrets when she gets to know the story. Asfandyar doesn't tell anyone the real matter and cuts off with everyone at the Nikkah of Palwasha. This saddens her so their dad talks to Asfandyar and gets to know the matter. He decides to stand with Asfandyar and support the children and go against Ikram ul Haq. Iqram ul Haq threatens the family id they don't make peace he'll destroy them. Meanwhile, Asfandyar gets busy with the school burden and asks Danyal about his and Meena's relationship. Danyal accepts that he loves her so Asfandyar assists his brother to propose to Meena. Meena doesn't accept the proposal and says they're just very good friends. Danyal feels she's more interested in Asfandyar who isn't quite expressive. Danyal convinces Asfandyar to confess his love for Meena. The wedding day arrives. Everyone is happy and rukhsats Palwasha with tears and joy. Asfandyar heads to Meena's room to tell her but discovers her job letter and thinks she wants to return to Canada so doesn't say it. Later that night Ikram ul Haqs men shoot the servant chotu who was a witness against Ikram ul haq in the child abusing case. Asfandyar is deeply saddened by this and is even more shocked when he sees the school burning into ashes. Meena and Danyal also arrive and Asfandyar runs into the burning building. ONE MONTH LATER. Meena is teaching the children of Asfandyar's school. Danyal comes to pick her up and towards the court where Iqram ul haq is being sentenced and the people have turned against him. She demands to go to the graveyard where Asfandyar is standing on chotus grave. He thanks Meena for helping with the school and now that he's back she should go to Canada to pursue her job. Meena wants Asfandyar to confess his love for her which he doesn't. This angers her and she runs after him to the car where Danyal is waiting. She proposes to him herself and says that her dreams are with Asfandyar and not in the job. Asfandyar (being shy) reciprocates his feelings and the three head towards their home. The movie ends on a good note.

Cast

Filming & casting

In May 2015, it was announced that film named Janaan is in pre-production phase. In August, film's cast and crew was revealed on Twitter by the producer. Film Siyaah's team reunited in this film, with Imran Raza Kazmi returning as producer, Azfar Jafri as director and Osman Khalid Butt as writer. An agreement was also signed between the film production team and ARY Films to distribute the film. First spell of shooting began from 21 August in Islamabad and lasted till 5 September. Second spell of film started in Swat valley. The same month Usman Mukhtar and Hania Aamir were cast in film. Janaan entered the final phase of its production in mid October after shooting in Islamabad and Swat. Reham Khan's departure from Pakistan after her divorce with Imran Khan questioned the production status of film but her co-producer Imran Raza Kazmi stated "As the popular phrase goes: 'the show must go on' and putting all and any speculation to rest, I would like to say that this news will not affect the film in any manner whatsoever." Ajab Gul, Jalal Khan and Mishi Khan were revealed as cast with their character names on 7 November. Three new artists have appeared on the film screen for the first time namely Hania Aamir, Usman Mukhtar and Saad Zia Abbasi.

Marketing

Film's first look poster featuring Armeena Khan, Bilal Ashraf and Ali Rehman Khan was revealed online while Teaser Trailer on 18 March 2016.

Janaan is the first Pakistani film whose teaser was shown on UK TV broadcasting channel Sky Sports 2 during the World T20 Cup match between India and Pakistan on 19 March 2016.

Further the teaser was played on Shreya Ghoshal Concerts in UK.

The film's theatrical trailer was released on 1 July 2016 on Fahad Mustafa's Jeeto Pakistan show. The trailer was appreciated by critics and film is expected to be a successful endeavor to promote Pashto culture. The trailer is expected to be played on all Arjit Singh's concerts in UK after its release.

Release

In a recent contract signing between the film's crew and renowned Bollywood network and distribution company B4U (network). It was confirmed that the film will be distributed globally by B4U Films in up to 17 countries. Whilst ARY Films will distribute it in Pakistan.

The film will release across UAE, Middle East on 8 September 2016 whereas it will be shown on limited screens next day across UK, United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, New Zealand, South Africa, East Africa, Singapore. The film will be released nationwide on 12 September (Eid al-Adha), and in India on 16 September.

Box Office

According to Box offic reports, Pakistani movie Janaan box office collections have crossed the 10 Crores figures in Pakistan Only. The movie also managed to collect around 11.44 crores abroad.