Jawani Phir Nahi Ani

Plot outline

Three childhood friends, Saif (Hamza Ali Abbasi), Sheikh (Cheikh) (Vasay Chaudhry) and Pervez (Ahmad Ali Butt), have settled down in married life but are afraid of their wives. Their friend Sherry (Humayun Saeed), a divorce lawyer, returns to Pakistan from U.S. and finds that all his friends are in miserable marriages. Sherry treats the wives well so that they allow their husbands to accompany Sherry on a road trip to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Sherry actually plans to take the men to Bangkok to add excitement to their lives.

In Bangkok, Sherry meets a girl named Marina (Mehwish Hayat) and they fall in love. However, when Sherry learns that Marina is the daughter of a crime boss named Bichi Don (Ismail Tara), he wants to leave Bangkok to get away from Marina.

The men's wives, having learnt of the deception, arrive at the Bangkok hotel where the group are staying. Pervez tries to commit suicide by jumping off the hotel but is saved when he lands in a swimming pool. Sherry tells the wives that the trip was the men's idea and not his. The wives demand divorces from their husbands, saying they can no longer trust them.

A few months pass and the three friends learn that Sherry is to marry Zoya (Sohai Ali Abro). She is the daughter of Mehboob Khan (Javed Sheikh), a billionaire in Lahore. Zoya is the quintessential nouveau riche kid, who insists on speaking with a strong American-English accent and abbreviates expressions like "OMG" (Oh my God) and "MA" (Masha'Allah). She enjoys spending her father's money carelessly. Zoya's mother (Bushra Ansari), worries about her daughter's attitude.

When the three friends arrive at Sherry's wedding, he asks them not to tell Zoya and her family about Marina. Bichi Don arrives at the wedding and introduces himself as "Ya Sheikh", a friend of Mehboob Khan. Sherry tells everyone that his friend, Saif's nickname is also Sherry. The farce is that no one knows which Sherry anyone is talking about.

Two days before the wedding, Marina arrives. Sherry wants Marina's father to reject him as a potential son-in-law, so he pretends to be a homosexual. The ploy works and Marina and her father leave, only to return on the day of the wedding. Mehboob Khan and Marina's father, (Ya Sheikh) argue about Sherry and this results in both men rejecting Sherry as a potential son-in-law. The story ends when the three friends patch things up with their wives and Sherry asks for Marina's hand in marriage.

Cast

Filming

The film was shot in various locations in Thailand including Bangkok, Pattaya and Coral Island. A few scenes were shot in Karachi. On 5 June 2015, the film wrapped and post-production began.

Marketing

On 31 March 2015, a teaser was released by ARY Films on ARY Digital Network. On 15 August 2015, the trailer was released. The video promotion of one of the movie's [[[soundtrack]]s, Jalwa (sung by Sana Zulfiqar and Sahir Ali Bagga) was released on 26 August 2015. Five theatrical posters of the film, featuring the main cast, were released at ARY Films' official Facebook page on 29 August 2015. Two days later, another soundtrack, Khul Jaye Botal was released on television channels on the ARY Digital Network. On 18 September 2015, a second trailer (edited by Bilal Lashari) was released. The cast appeared on several morning television shows including Morning with Juggan on 18 September 2015 and Good Morning Pakistan on Eid al-Adha (a feast day in Pakistan) to promote their movie.

Soundtrack

The film's music album consists of 6 songs. A soundtrack album was released on Saavn.

Release

On 19 September 2015, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani had its premier screening in the Cine Star IMAX Theater, Lahore. Selected media personnel and celebrities, including Mahesh Bhatt attended. The premiere in Karachi was held on 20 September 2015. On 23 September 2015, the film premiered in Dubai and on 24 September 2015 in New York City. The Chicago premiere was held on 26 September 26 2015 and the Los Angeles premiere on 27 September 2015.

Box office

The late Thursday night public premier screenings of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani in Pakistan's main cinemas collected Rs. 30 lacs. On 25 September 2015 (Eid al-Azha) the film's cinemas were full and approximately Rs. 2 crores were collected.

The film collected Rs. 2.7 crores on its second day of screening. The total over the first two days was approximately Rs. 5 crores. The film collected over Rs. 27 crores on the first Sunday of its release. The international earnings on the first weekend was Rs. 2.5 crore. In its first week, the film grossed over Rs. 13.7 crores, breaking a record for the highest domestic first week totals. The film's second weekend earnings was Rs. 5 crores. Three weeks after its premier screening, the film had earned Rs. 265 million becoming the highest-grossing film in Pakistan. The film had grossed Rs. 352.5 million at the end of its third week, becoming the highest-grossing Pakistani film worldwide. The film ended its run with a total of Rs. 420 million the best earning Pakistani film to that date.

Critical reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics in Pakistan. Rafay Mahmood of The Express Tribune rated the film "3 out of 5 stars". He said, "for all its flaws, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani is a thoroughly entertaining film that will reward you if you don’t think it out too much." Asim Malik of Daily Times wrote, "this flick is a complete package and every one made sure that the details are covered". Salima Feerasta of DAWN.com said, "despite its flaws, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani is an out-and-out entertainer. An engaging blend of slapstick, spoofs and wit, the film is easy on the eye and an undemanding crowd-pleaser. Definitely worth the price of admission".

Naveen Qazi of Siddy Says rated the film as "4.5 out of 5 stars". He said, "staunch religious views and conservative mind-set should be left at home". Momin Ali Munshi of Galaxy Lollywood rated the film as a "3.8" and wrote, "Jawani Phir Nahi Ani is an outright commercial film which scores full marks on the entertainment meter".

Sequel

Fahad Mustafa said he would participate in Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2 in a major role alongside Humayun Saeed, Ahmed Ali Butt and Vasay Chaudhry. He would be replacing Hamza Ali Abbasi. The was to commence in March 2017.

Accolades

At the 2nd ARY Film Awards, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani received twenty-nine nominations and won eighteen categories. At the 15th Lux Style Awards, the film won two awards from ten nominations.