Mark your calendars for 25th January 2024 because Karachi’s very own female cricketer Nayab will be making her dream debut for Pakistan’s women cricket team. Unlike the real cricketers, Nayab’sdebut would be in a film, but when you hear the name of the actress playing that character, you will forget the reel–real difference and clear your schedule for the release date. It’s Yumna Zaidi, making her film debut, and we can’t be more excited.
Leading an ensemble cast that features veteran Jawed Sheikh, Huma Nawab, theatre veteran Mohammad Ehteshamuddin, M. Fawad Khan and TV star Muhammad Usama (also making his film debut),Yumna Zaidi looks fabulous in the trailer. Not only do her fans get to see her playing cricket but also fighting for her right to represent Pakistan, both at home and with the selectors.
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After the film’s first look went viral in Pakistan & India, the trailer also made waves into other parts of the world. The film revolves around a young girl’s cricket dreams which are fulfilled by her elder brother who once wanted to pursue cricket as well but couldn’t due to family pressure. Will Nayab be able to make her family and country proud is what every Yumna Zaidi fan wants to know, because they are sure that their favorite actress will ace the silver screen just like she aced the smaller one.
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Written by Basit Naqvi and Ali Abbas Naqvi (the co-writers of the acclaimed Laal Kabootar), and directed by Umair Nasir Ali, the film is one of the few sports flicks made in the country. One look at the trailer and its evident that the audience are in for a ride of a lifetime. The way the film has been shot, and the emotions displayed by the characters seem relatable and so does the struggle which takes Nayab from street cricket to the national team’s probable list.
The film is just the thing everyone who loves cricket has been waiting for. You can be an 8-year-old kid or an 80-year-old person to enjoy the sports we love in Pakistan. Everything about this film looks fantastic and one has to thank the producers and the director for it.
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‘This film is a pure family entertainer, a tapestry that connects with people from all walks of life.’ Umair Nasir Ali the director says about the project. ‘In addition to portraying the emotional rollercoaster of our protagonists, it also offers a sneak peek into the world of female cricket in Pakistan, presenting it on a deeply human level.’
He goes onto add that the characters have been intricately woven with shades of gray, reflecting the imperfections inherent in all humans. It’s through the journey of these characters that story of Nayab unfolds, inviting the audience to witness it firsthand.
This is going to be the first time the Bakhtawar star has worked in a Pakistani film and one hopes that it will not be the last. In fact, if this film kickstarts her career as a film actress, it will do Pakistani cinema a huge favor. Say yes to Nayab, say yes to Yumna Zaidi!
Watch Nayab’s official trailer here:
