Hareem Farooq
Although it was announced last year that cinemas will open officially in March 2018, Saudi Arabia continues to screen films and movies in makeshift theaters around the country, this time screening Pakistani movie “Parchi.”
The action/thriller-comedy starring Hareem Farooq, Ali Rehman Khan, and Shafqat Cheema was premiered at the Pakistan Embassy auditorium in Riyadh, and the screening was attended by both guests and diplomats from Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Amongst the dignitaries who were at the event was Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Matab Bin Thenayan Bin Mohammed.
“It’s a great initiative in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030 and we assure our full support to strengthen Pak-Saudi relations in the film and entertainment industry,” the Prince stated.
According to Arab News, the film’s producer Imran Raza Kazmi flew in to Riyadh to attend the premiere show. Sharing his thoughts about the event Kamzi said, “The show brought together film industry leaders of the two countries, paving the way for a possible production of Pakistani films and dramas in Saudi Arabia.”
Movie stills from Parchi
Kazmi also announced plans to work closely with Saudi’s Top Events and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). In addition, he expressed his interest in working on future film projects in the Kingdom in general, explaining that “he plans to visit the Kingdom with a group of filmmakers and artists to talk to the Saudi agencies for collaboration and to identify shooting locations across the Kingdom later this year.”
“I am overwhelmed with the love and support given by Saudi brothers and Pakistani expatriates during this trip,” he added
Last year, when the decision to show “Parchi” was announced, Farooq, who is also the co-producer of the film, expressed his excitement in The Express Tribune, saying, “We feel honored and proud that we are among the first, it’s pretty exciting and it is quite an achievement […] We always aim to do something new and expand our reach, not just stick to Pakistan.”
