“Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning” trailer release caused quite a stir on twitter/ X last night. From preppy feels as Usman Mukhtar takes on the fear of the unknown with Science as his knowledge tool, to a cool, calm, collected Sanam Saeed’s character who irons out the creases in his knowledge base; Umro Ayyar’s trailer delivered an onslaught of star cast that many die-hard Comic-Con enthusiasts might find hugely appealing.
The film aims to shed light on the legend of Umro Ayyar from Tilism-e-Hoshruba, the Urdu rendering of renowned Islamic epic Dastan-e-Amir Hamza – a blend of historical folklore with a contemporary feel.
The Trailer
In a whirlwind 3 minute trailer, audiences are introduced to loads of fast-paced action, stunts through VFX and noticeable trained moves from the cast (yes, the cast underwent professional training to perform some of the stunts, we’re told), and a story that might be ancient, but has been brought to life for Gen Z – an ode to Urdu literature, fantasy and a passion for filmmaking!
The trailer breezes by with glimpses of Adnan Siddiqui, Simi Raheal, and Hamza Ali Abbasi, resting largely on Manzar Sehbai and Usman Mukhtar’s characters with visibly agile moves from Ali Kazmi.
Good VS Evil
The timeless saga between good vs evil plays out subsequently. And the quest is possibly about saving the world!
However there’s also a rescue operation underway so the plot thickens. Usman Mukhtar’s character, who is quite dismissive of supernatural powers, and the fear of the unknown, is about to be schooled on what he doesn’t know – tough moments for a Science professor! Amar will soon unleash the hidden powers within himself, he is an Ayyar after all (a warrior), unbeknownst to him, and possibly, the most powerful one of all.
Actor Sanam Saeed has spoken about her experience to Arab News and mentioned that she had never worked with a green screen before she shot Umro Ayyar. Director Azfar Jafri intends to throw light on Urdu Literature spun with a contemporary feel.
Made For Cinema Movie
While Umro Ayyar – A New Beginning is a “made for cinema” movie and the action seems promising, the movie also boasts a formidable cast, and one hopes the storytelling is equally gripping.
The creators deserve praise for the timely release of the trailer during the solar eclipse that dominates our feeds currently. In a striking coincidence, the trailer features Manzar Sehbai’s character cautioning Amar, played by Usman Mukhtar, about the lunar eclipse, which is seemingly the day the nefarious Laqqa clan intends to summon a fearsome demon.
For now, Umro Ayyar is gaining recognition for introducing original content to our screens. While many movies aim to entertain, Umro Ayyar not only entertains but also endeavors to resurrect a historically beloved fictional legend. It aims to retell a classic fantasy, reintroducing a once immensely popular children’s story from the rich, yet sadly neglected, treasury of Urdu literature to a new audience.
Even though the three-minute trailer disclosed a significant portion of the plot and storyline, it might have been worthwhile to establish the tone for an action-packed, exhilarating Eid Ul Azha viewing experience!
Umro Ayyar is all set to release on Eid Ul Azha 2024 in cinemas across Pakistan and we wish the makers monumental success!
Read up more on Umro Ayyar and the back story here.
Written by Atif Rehan Siddiqui, the film is produced by Huma Jamil Babar in collaboration with VR Chili Production and directed by Azfar Jafri. Moreover, the impressive ensemble cast features renowned actors such as Usman Mukhtar, Faran Tahir, Sanam Saeed, Ali Kazmi, Adnan Siddiqui, Simi Raheal, Sana Nawaz, Manzar Sehbai, Daniyal Raheal, Salmaan Shaukat, Osama Karamat, Uloomi Karim, Asad Chaudhary, Atif Rehan Siddique, Muhammad Imran, Bilal Jutt, Ruman Ali, Shehroz Sanaullah, and Hamza Ali Abbasi.
