Project Peshawar is a 2017 Pakistani multilingual suspense thriller film. It incorporated Pashto, Urdu, Dutch, and English language. It was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's first internationally released film.[1][2][3] Project Peshawar was particularly popular in global media because Peshawar, the capital of the province,[4] was under militant rule for years.

Project Peshawar
Theatrical release poster
Project Peshawar
Directed byIrshu Bangash
Written byJunaid Kamran Siddique
Screenplay byHammad khan
Produced byJunaid Kamran Siddique
Shoaib Lodin
Javed Khan Mohmand
StarringShoaib Lodin
Navishta Sahar
Sally Ingry
Moez Mohmand
Mihela Bursc
Arbab Izhar Ahmad
James Ryan
Mustafa Khan
Mariyam Dilawar Jan
CinematographyIrshu Bangash
Music byFortitude
Khumariyaan
King compass
Naseer and Shahab
Production
company
Jeans Films
Release dates
  • August 20, 2017 (2017-08-20) (Peshawar, Pakistan)
  • 2018 (2018) (US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands)
CountryPakistan
Languages
  • Pashto
  • Urdu
  • Dutch
  • English

Project Peshawar is a blend of eastern and western cultures, highlighting the negative side of modern-day social media.[5][6] The film also highlights the importance and legacy of the city of Peshawar at national and international levels.[7] Project Peshawar revived Pashto cinema due to its production quality and talented cast members.[8][9][10][11]

Plot edit

Project Peshawar is based on a true story and revolves around a British Pakistani who falls in love with a Peshawar-based girl on the internet, and travels back to Pakistan to realize that it was merely a trap to capture him.[12]

The story highlights the negative side of the modern-day social media boom, and is intended to raise awareness as to how some people use social media negatively.[13][14]

Cast edit

  • Shoaib Lodin[15]
  • Navishta Sahar[16]
  • Sally Ingry
  • Moez Mohmand
  • Mihela Bursc
  • Arbab Izhar Ahmad
  • James Ryan
  • Mustafa Khan
  • Mariyam
  • Dilawar Jan

Filming edit

Principal photography took place in United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Pakistan,[17] with 70% of the production in Peshawar. The male lead of the film, Shoaib Lodin, who also acted as a consultant producer on the film, is an Afghani-Dutch citizen who left Peshawar in 1997.[18] He is a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India.[19]

Release edit

Project Peshawar released on 20 August 2017 in Peshawar,[20] premiering at Nishtar Hall.[21] The premiere was sponsored by Jeans Films and the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was later shown at film festivals in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.[22]

Critical reception edit

Film-maker Irshu Bangash told The Express Tribune that people from the local entertainment industry were trying to sabotage the film, claiming that it portrays the city negatively and "promotes western values" instead of local cultural values.[23] Bangash shared how they decided to do a film about social media and how it's misused. "We see it all around us. Even Mashal Khan's case was elevated due to social media and its power," he said. "It's funny because these are our seniors, yet a lot of vulgar content has been released without any objections because of the lack of censor board in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa."

Official website edit

projectpeshawar.com

Soundtrack edit

Musicians involved in the production of the soundtrack include Fortitude, Khumariyaan,[24] King Compass and the duo of Naseer & Shahab.

ProjectPeshawar
Soundtrack album
Released20 August 2017
GenreFilm soundtrack
Length17:07
LanguageEnglish, Pashto and Urdu
DirectorIrshu Bangash
Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Chaukor"Khumariyaan1:36
2."Okha"Billboard Band3:59
3."Rise On My Broken Knees"Naseer & Shahab4:43
4."So Fly"Fortitude4:16
5."Someday Someone"King Compass3:53
Total length:17:07

References edit

  1. ^ "Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Pakistani city Peshawar to release its first ever international movie – News Nation". News Nation. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Project Peshawar: KP to host first international film". The Nation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Project Peshawar Trailer Shows The Dark Side of Social Media Dating – VeryFilmi". VeryFilmi. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  5. ^ "This Upcoming Film in Pakistan Exposes the Horrifying Truth of Social Media Dating". Parhlo. 3 August 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Project Peshawar: The city's first international film to release soon". Geo.tv. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Peshawar shouldn't make films with item songs because it means we're not different: Irshu Bangash – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 19 July 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in KPK". Pakistani Drama Reviews | Ratings | Celebrities | Entertainment news Portal. 4 April 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Peshawar to host first international film – Samaa TV". Samaa TV. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  10. ^ AFP (7 April 2017). "KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon". Images. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  11. ^ Mumtaz, Kanwal (24 July 2017). "KP Releasing First Ever International Film 'Project Peshawar'". MeshPedia. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Daily Heights". heights.com.pk. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  13. ^ Shams, Isra (7 April 2017). "Peshawar to host its first international film". FHM Pakistan. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  14. ^ "KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon – Khyber News -Official Website". Khyber News -Official Website. 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Shoaib Lodin". IMDb. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Navishta Sahar". IMDb. Archived from the original on 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  17. ^ "KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon". Pakistan Today. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Peshawar shouldn't make films with item songs because it means we're not different: Irshad Bangash". Dabang.pk. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  19. ^ "KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon". en.dailytaqat.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  20. ^ "'Project Peshawar' premiere show today". The News International. Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  21. ^ "Tease Trailer of Telefilm "Project Peshawar" On Aug 20 | Pakistan Point". Pakistan Point. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  22. ^ "Premiere show of telefilm 'Project Peshawar' on 20th". The News International. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  23. ^ "First international film from Peshawar receives flak for spreading 'negative image' – The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 9 September 2017. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  24. ^ NewsBytes. "Khumariyaan song 'Chaukor' featured on Project Peshawar OST". The News International. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2017.