Babylicious
{{Short description|2023 Pakistani Urdu language film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Babylicious Poster.jpg
| caption = Official teaser poster
| director = Essa Khan
| writer = Essa Khan
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Waqar Zaka
- Muzaffar Ahmad Khan
- Zohaib Latif
- Essa Khan
}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Syra Yousuf
- Shehroz Sabzwari
- Mani
- Ankur Rathee
- Sabeena Syed
- Aamir Qureshi
- Adnan Jaffer
}}
| cinematography = Zohaib Latif
| editing = Swabha Pal
| music = Adrian David Emmanuel
| distributor = Coconut Films
| released = {{Film date|2023|06|27|df=y}}
| country = {{Plainlist|
- Bahrain
- Pakistan
}}
| language = Urdu
}}
Babylicious is a Pakistani romantic comedy film written, directed and produced by Essa Khan{{Cite web |last=Kamran Jawaid |first=Mohammad |date=2023-01-22 |title=SPOTLIGHT: BABYS DAY OUT |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1732836 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} under the banner Coconut Entertainment Pakistan.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title='Babylicious' trailer: A must-watch for the hopeless romantics |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395294/babylicious-trailer-a-must-watch-for-the-hopeless-romantics |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} It stars Shehroz Sabzwari and Syra Yousuf,{{Cite web |date=2020-06-02 |title=Never wanted to divorce Syra: Shahroz Sabzwari |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2233293/never-wanted-divorce-syra-shahroz-sabzwari |access-date=2023-02-20 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}} alongside Ankur Rathee and Adnan Jaffar.
Babylicious was released on 27 June 2023, coinciding with Eid al-Adha.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-16 |title=First look of Syra, Shahroz's 'Babylicious' is out! |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2391326/first-look-of-syra-yousuf-shahroz-sabzwaris-babylicious-is-finally-out |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
Premise
A hopeless romantic takes on the world to break up his ex-girlfriend's wedding and win her back.{{Cite web |author=The Haute Team |date=2023-01-02 |title=Mann Ranjhan from 'Babylicious' is all about falling in love |url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/mann-ranjhan-from-babylicious-is-all-about-falling-in-love/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Something Haute |language=en-US}}
Cast
- Shehroz Sabzwari as Omar
- Syra Yousuf as Sabiha{{Cite web |last=Asad |first=Mashal |date=2022-12-15 |title=Syra Yousuf & Shahroz Sabzwari's new film Babylicious gets roasted on social media |url=https://www.behtareen.pk/syra-shahroz-babylicious/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Behtareen |language=en-US}}
- Ankur Rathee as Nabeel
- Shehzeen Rahat as Arwa
- Aadi Adeal Amjad
- Mohi Abro as Nido{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6469242/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk | title=Mohi Abro | Actor | website=IMDb }}
- Sabeena Syed as Annie
- Adnan Jaffar as Dad
- Laila Wasti as Mom
- Aamir Qureshi as Haris
- Mani Salman Saquib
- Pippa Hughes as Sarah
- Karim Jan AbdulMajeed
Production
The film was officially announced by Syra Yousuf{{Cite web |title=Syra reveals what helps her maintain a good equation with Shahroz |url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Entertainment/688549-Syra-reveals-what-helps-her-maintain-a-good-equation-with-Shahroz |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Dunya News |date=10 January 2023 |language=en}} and Shahroz Sabzwari{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2022-12-16 |title=Syra Yousuf, Shahroz Sabzwari share their romantic film's poster with heartfelt captions |url=https://thecurrent.pk/syra-shahroz/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Current |language=en-US}} on Valentine's Day post on Instagram in 2018, when they posted a BTS from their then untitled film. In an interview, Yousuf stated that she committed to the project after listening to the film's soundtrack.{{Cite web |author=Images Staff |date=2023-01-10 |title=Syra Yousuf and Shahroz Sabzwari get candid about Babylicious |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1191374 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Images |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Syra Yousuf Thinks 'Babylicious' is a Date Movie, Shahroze Says Its Like Devdas - Lens |url=https://propakistani.pk/lens/syra-yousuf-thinks-babylicious-is-a-date-movie-shahroze-says-its-like-devdas/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=propakistani.pk |date=9 January 2023 |language=en-US}}
Principal photography of the film commenced in 2018. The first schedule took place in Karachi, before moving to Bahrain.{{Cite web |last=Mehmood |first=Yousuf |date=2023-01-10 |title=Babylicious (Trailer Review): Is it Romance or Toxicity? |url=https://pakistanicinema.net/2023/01/10/babylicious-trailer-review-is-it-romance-or-toxicity/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=PakistaniCinema.Net |language=en-US}} The film was slated for a possible Eid release in 2019,{{Cite news |date=9 January 2023 |title=Syra Yousuf & Shahroz Sabzwari's Babylicious unknown facts |work=Bol News |url=https://www.bolnews.com/entertainment/lollywood/2023/01/syra-yousuf-shahroz-sabzwaris-babylicious-unknown-facts/}} but due to delays in filming and the COVID-19 pandemic, the film's release was postponed.{{Cite web |last=Batool |first=Uzma |date=2022-12-17 |title=Syra Yousuf and Shehroz Sabzwari Starrer Babylicious' First Poster Out Now |url=https://thebrownidentity.com/syra-yousuf-and-shehroz-sabzwari-starrer-babylicious-first-poster-out-now/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217050311/https://thebrownidentity.com/syra-yousuf-and-shehroz-sabzwari-starrer-babylicious-first-poster-out-now/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 December 2022 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=The Brown Identity |language=en-US}}
Marketing
The title of the film was announced on 15 December 2022, along with a first look.{{Cite web |author=MM News Staff |date=2023-01-19 |title=Netizens find Syra and Shehroz's 'Babylicious' promotion is awkward |url=https://mmnews.tv/netizens-find-syra-and-shehrozs-babylicious-promotion-is-awkward/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=MM News |language=en-US}} The official teaser{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=Trailer for Pakistani film 'Babylicious' released |url=https://en.baaghitv.com/trailer-for-pakistani-film-babylicious-released/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=BaaghiTV English |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221181042/https://en.baaghitv.com/trailer-for-pakistani-film-babylicious-released/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=2022-12-17 |title=Syra Yousuf, Shahroze Sabzwari face backlash after 'Babylicious' |url=https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30307086 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Aaj English TV |language=en}} was released online by Coconut Entertainment on 22 December 2022 to rave reviews.{{Cite web |title=Shahroz Sabzwari, Syra Yousuf's Babylicious trailer comes out tomorrow! |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/464039-shahroz-sabzwari-syra-yousufs-babylicious-trailer-comes-out-tomorrow |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=Shahroz Sabzwari, Syra Yousuf's Babylicious trailer is finally out |url=https://www.24newshd.tv/11-Jan-2023/shahroz-sabzwari-syra-yousuf-s-babylicious-trailer-is-finally-out |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=24 News HD |language=en}} The Express Tribune described Babylicious{{'}} teaser "as sweet as one romantic film can be".
The official film trailer was released on 11 January 2023.
{{External media|video2={{YouTube|LD7WzEKbAq8|Official trailer}}|float=right|topic=Babylicious Trailer & Songs|video3={{YouTube|Pj7dpTlGCvo|Official Video of Ghazab Kurriye}}|video4={{YouTube|b9cdPfa2vl4|Official Video of Mann Ranjhan}}}}
Music and soundtrack
The film album is primarily composed by Adrian David.{{Cite web |author=BR Life & Style |date=2023-01-10 |title=Syra Yousuf, Shahroz Sabzwari share experience of working together in 'Babylicious' |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40219420 |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Brecorder |language=en}}
The first single, titled "Mann Ranjhan", was released on 30 December 2022.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-11 |title=Fashion Times (Review): The Trailer of 'Babylicious' Smells Fresh and Citrusy! |url=https://fashiontimesmagazine.com/fashion-times-review-the-trailer-of-babylicious-smells-fresh-and-citrusy/ |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Fashion Times |language=en-US}} Pop culture website Something Haute hailed the song "a memorable addition to the list of melodious love songs from Pakistani films."
The second single, titled "Ghazab Kurriye",{{Cite web |date=2023-02-15 |title=Syra Yousuf's 'Ghazab Kuriye' takes the internet by storm |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/15-Feb-2023/syra-yousuf-s-ghazab-kuriye-takes-the-internet-by-stor |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Daily Pakistan Global |language=en}} accompanied by its music video was released on 14 February 2023. The music video of the song made waves for its production design, costumes and choreography with more than one publication labeling it the wedding anthem of the year. The music is produced by Kashan Admani. The complete soundtrack was released on 21 May 2023, receiving positive reviews from the critics.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-23 |title=Babylicious Sets Expectations for Release with Melodious Music Album |url=https://galaxylollywood.com/2023/05/23/babylicious-music-album/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Galaxy Lollywood |language=en-US}} Babylicious' songs are based on love, passion, and longing.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=The Haute |date=2023-05-25 |title=The Babylicious album is a musical extravaganza that explores love, passion & longing |url=https://www.somethinghaute.com/the-babylicious-album-is-a-musical-extravaganza-that-explores-love-passion-longing/ |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=Something Haute |language=en-US}}
| class="wikitable"
|+Movie Tracks !No. !Title !Writer !Artist !Length |
| 1.
|Mann Ranjhan |Shakeel Sohail |Nauman Shafi, Rahma Ali |3:50 |
| 2.
|Ghazab Kurriye |Shakeel Sohail |Jonita Gandhi, Ahmed Jahanzeb |2:54 |
| 3.
|Ussay Jee Raha Hoon |Shakeel Sohail |Sherry Khattak, Maria Unera |4:50 |
| 4.
|Ranjhay Ko Na De Saza |Shakeel Sohail |Asad Rasheed |4:30 |
| 5.
|Alvida |Shakeel Sohail |Richie Robinson |3:35 |
Release
The film was initially scheduled to release on 10 February 2023. However it is now postponed to 27 June 2023, coinciding with the Eid festival.{{fact|date=February 2025}}
Critical reception
The film received a number of positive reviews upon its release.{{Cite web |last=Ahsen |first=Buraera |date=2023-07-02 |title=Babylicious: The Ultimate Date Night Or Family Movie? Find Out! |url=https://www.fuchsiamagazine.com/babylicious-the-ultimate-date-night-or-family-movie/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=FUCHSIA |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=Kazmi |first=Azadar |date=2023-07-01 |title=Babylicious (Film Review): The Paisa Vusool Entertainer of This Eid |url=https://pakistanicinema.net/2023/07/01/babylicious-film-review-the-paisa-vusool-entertainer-of-this-eid/ |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=PakistaniCinema.Net |language=en-US}} Majorly the critics praised the work of the director, Omer Essa Khan. Shahroz, and the ear-catching dialogues, are the glue that bind Essa’s uncomplicated, routine love story, that’s anted-up as a near-excellent motion picture. Despite some very minor creative and technical hitches — hitches casual audiences won’t even note — Babylicious heralds the arrival of a bright young filmmaker, wrote Dawn (newspaper).{{Cite web |last=Jawaid |first=Mohammad Kamran |date=2023-06-30 |title=Review: There's something about Babylicious that brings to mind the unlucky in love Archie and the gang |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1191888 |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=Images |language=en}} The roles of the lead cast were also lauded by the publications including The Tribune.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-03 |title=An uncomfortably meta entertainer for Syra, Shahroz fans |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2424467/babylicious-review-an-uncomfortably-meta-entertainer-for-syra-shahroz-fans |access-date=2023-07-06 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}