The Pakistani film industry that had just made a comeback and was still struggling to establish its footing was thrown completely off course after the pandemic forced all cinemas shut. For two years the big screens remained black with actors, directors, producers and viewers waiting for them to open once again. The time is finally here.

The Pakistani cinema is making yet another comeback, as numbers of covid cases continue to fall and here are the most highly anticipated upcoming releases.

Zindagi Tamasha

After much controversy, Sarmad Khoosat’s Zindagi Tamasha will finally be coming to theatres on March 18, 2022. The release of the 2019 film was suspended after religious uproar on some elements of the narrative criticising the ulema, the censor board, however, has now given the film a green light. Zindagi Tamasha is "an intimate portrait of a family as well as a scorching political commentary on the little gods on this earth who police private passions."

The film premiered at the 24th Busan International Film Festival, and won awards at Busan, as well as at the 2021 Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.

The Legend of Maula Jatt

Set to release this year in May, the Legend of Maula Jatt is an action-packed Punjabi language film starring Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan and Hamza Ali Abbasi. The film tells the story of Noori Nath and Maula Jatt and is expected to be one of the biggest releases of 2022.

Ghabrana Nahi Hai

The Pakistani crime thriller starring Saba Qamar along with Zahid Ahmed, Syed Jibran and Nayyer Ijaz is all set to release this year on Eid-ul-Fitr. The trailer has only revealed that the story follows a daughter who fights for justice for her father who has been wronged. Ghabrana Nahi Hai, also the favourite catchphrase of PM Imran Khan, is expected to be full of action, romance and drama.

Ishrat Made in China

Mohib Mirza’s directorial debut, Ishrat Made in China will see him starring opposite Sanam Saeed in the lead role. The trailer promises a fast paced, dramatic, romantic and action-packed movie. While Ishrat Made in China doesn’t have a final release date, it’s expected to come out this year.

Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad

A Nabeel Qureshi film starring the audience’s all time favourite Fahad Mustafa and Mahira Khan will be coming to the cinemas this Eid-ul-Azha. The first trailer was released back in 2020, but little has been revealed about the film since then. All we know is that Mustafa is playing a police officer and that there’s going to be a whole lot of action.

Dum Mastam

Dum Mastam is a romantic comedy, which will mark Imran Ashraf and Amar Khan’s cinema debut. The film is directed by first time producer Adnan Siddiqui. According to one of his Instagram posts, Dum Mastam is “a story of love, fun-filled romance with generous dose of music.” The film is expected to release this Eid-ul-Fitr.