Pakistani Movie scene: ‘Two + Two’ in production

Shahid Shafaat’s film Two + Two, earlier known as Jhol, is set to roll off the production stage soon.

“It’s a crazy rollercoaster ride comedy,” says Bilal Ashraf of the film.

Two + Two also stars Saleem Mairaj as a terrorist, Ali Azmat as a cop, Urwa Hocane as a businesswoman, and Bilal plays a doctor. The story spans 7-8 hours of a single day, showing how the paths of four unrelated central characters intertwine — a little birdie tells us their phones get switched – and chaos ensues.

The film is being produced by Epiction Films’ Hamza Ansari and Hassaan Azher. Images talks to Ansari and finds plenty to be excited about.

1. Two + Two will see the return to the screen of Babra Sharif

Babra Sharif has been roped in to play Bilal Ashraf’s mother in the film.

Another actor adding veteran star power to the film is Mustafa Qureshi, who will play Ali Azmat’s father.

2. Ali Azmat will play a role “exactly like himself.”

In contrast to his Waar role as a diplomat, Ali Azmat will play a role that’s true to his character.

“He’s a middle-aged police wala, ayah, ” says Ansari. “He’ll often be seen on his bike,” he added, citing another similarity between the actor and his role.

3. The film will feature a “rough and tough” female role – those are always welcome!

The film cast Iman Ali in Urwa’s role earlier, but producers soon reconsidered their choice.

“90% of our shoot is outdoors, and we’re showing Karachi’s culture in areas like Ranchore Lines and even parts of Hyderabad,” revealed Ansari.

“So we needed someone very rough and tough for the role, and Iman was too delicate. We start rolling our cameras at 6 am, and from day 1, we realize that Iman isn’t up to the role.”

4. Two+Two will feature “an anti-item song.”

We are wondering who’ll throw the thumkas in this film. Be prepared for something different. The film boasts an anti-item song filmed on a remix of an old Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan number. “We’ve gone experimental in the song’s dramatics and design,” Hamza shared.

5. We can expect good action from this action-comedy

All the technical crew of the film is from China and Singapore. The same person who handled Jet Lee’s Hero coordinates the stunts.

“60% of the scenes have been shot. The songs’ shoot is left, and we have a bike chase sequence that’s lots of fun,” Ansari shares about the film’s progress, adding that it is slated for release on February 14, 2016.