Aksbandh

{{Infobox film

| name = Aksbandh

| image = Aksbandh poster.png

| alt =

| caption =

| native_name =

| director = Emran Hussain

| producer = Naveed Arshad
Seemeen Naveed
Emran Hussain

| writer = Emran Hussain
Ayaz Samoo

| starring = Ayaz Samoo
Danial Afzal Khan
Saud Imtiaz
Shehzeen Rahat
Mahrukh Rizvi
Bilal Yousufzai
Arshad Ali

| music = Ajay Gupta

| cinematography = Farrukh Hussain

| editing = Zack & Yasir Qazi

| studio = Big Idea Entertainment
Cinematic Media

| distributor = Hum Films

| released = {{Film date|df=y|2016|05|20}}

| runtime = 89 minutes

| country = Pakistan

| language = Urdu & English

| budget = PKR 5.5 million

| gross = PRK 2.0 million

}}

Aksbandh (previously Paranormal Karachi Nights{{cite web|title='Paranormal Karachi Nights' is now called 'Aksbandh'|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1146760|website=hip|date=2 March 2015|publisher=Wajiha Jawaid|accessdate=23 April 2016}}) is a supernatural found footage horror film released in 2016, the first film of its kind from Pakistan. It was produced, written, and directed by Emran Hussain and co-written by Ayaz Samoo.{{cite web|title='It was risky to invest on Pakistan's first found footage film' : Ayaz Samoo|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1148738/it-was-risky-to-invest-on-pakistans-first-found-footage-film-ayaz-samoo|website=hip|date=5 January 2016|accessdate=23 April 2016}} Aksbandh was produced under the production banner of Cinematic Media and Big Idea Entertainment. The film features an assembled cast that includes Ayaz Samoo, Saud Imtiaz, Danial Afzal,{{cite web|title=Danial Afzal Khan on his upcoming movie 'Aksbandh'|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1146760|website=hip|date=2 March 2015|publisher=Wajiha Jawaid|accessdate=23 April 2016}} Bilal Yousufzai, Shehzeen Rahat, Mahrukh Rizvi, and Arshad Ali.

The film was distributed by Hum Films on 20 May 2016 in cinemas nationwide.

Plot

The plot of movie resolves around six friends who set out on a fun adventure trip to Drigh Lake in Larkana,{{Cite web|url=http://www.hipinpakistan.com/news/1149570|title = 'Aksbandh's' official trailer is out!|date = 23 April 2016}} to make a small budget horror film. However, when the trip takes a nasty turn, the six friends find themselves mixed up in paranormal activities.{{Cite web|url=http://www.karachichronicle.com/2016/05/aksbandh-releasing-nationwide-on-20th.html|title = Aksbandh releasing nationwide on 20th May}}

Cast

Ayaz Samoo as Sunny
Danial Afzal Khan as Ayaan
Saud Imtiaz as Shehzad
Shehzeen Rahat as Sadia
Bilal Yousufzai as Raheel
Mahrukh Rizvi as Aaliya
Arshad Ali as Chacha

Production

Aksbandh was completely shot and produced in Pakistan, except for sound recording and mixing, which was done in India.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/05/21/entertainment/aks-bandh-brings-found-footage-genre-to-pakistan/|title = Aksbandh brings 'found footage' genre to Pakistan | Pakistan Today}}

Marketing and release

A teaser trailer for Aksbandh was revealed on 15 November 2015.{{cite web|title=Pakistani Movie Aksbandh: First Found Footage Film May Hit Screens Soon|url=http://www.brandsynario.com/pakistani-movie-aksbandh-first-found-footage-film-may-hit-screens-soon/|website=brandsynario|date=20 November 2015|publisher=Tanzeel Hassan|accessdate=23 April 2016}} The theatrical trailer and final poster for the film was released on 23 April 2016. The film was released across Pakistani cinemas on 20 May 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.karachichronicle.com/2016/05/aksbandh-releasing-nationwide-on-20th.html|title = Aksbandh releasing nationwide on 20th May}}

Reception

A review in Dawn found that "This experiment by ad-makers-turned-producers Naveed Arshad and Seemeen Naveed will no doubt help the film industry along in a big way; irrespective of box office results. Times are now a changing and if we can have more projects like Aksbandh, the future is definitely bright for independent Pakistani films."{{Cite web |last=Alavi |first=Omair |date=2016-05-29 |title=The ticket: Aksbandh, where few dare to tread |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1260994 |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} Another review called the film "a spooky treat".{{Cite web |last=Mahmood |first=Beenish |date=2016-05-24 |title=A spooky treat: Pakistan’s first believable found-footage film, Aksbandh |url=https://tribune.com.pk/article/34686/a-spooky-treat-pakistans-first-believable-found-footage-film-aksbandh |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} The News International found the film "surprisingly good".{{Cite web |last=Alavi |first=Omair |title=Horror’s unexpected victory |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine |access-date=2024-05-27 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}