Project Peshawar

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{{Infobox film

| name = Project Peshawar

| image = 300px

| alt =

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| native_name = Project Peshawar

| director = Irshu Bangash

| producer = Junaid Kamran Siddique
Shoaib Lodin
Javed Khan Mohmand

| writer = Junaid Kamran Siddique

| screenplay = Hammad khan

| story =

| starring = Shoaib Lodin
Navishta Sahar
Sally Ingry
Moez Mohmand
Mihela Bursc
Arbab Izhar Ahmad
James Ryan
Mustafa Khan
Mariyam Dilawar Jan

| music = Fortitude
Khumariyaan
King compass
Naseer and Shahab

| cinematography = Irshu Bangash

| editing =

| studio = Jeans Films

| released = {{film date|2017|08|20|Peshawar, Pakistan|2018|||US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands}}

| runtime =

| country = Pakistan

| language = {{plainlist|

Pashto
Urdu
Dutch
English

}}

| gross =

}}

Project Peshawar is a 2017 Pakistani multilingual suspense thriller film. It incorporated Pashto, Urdu, Dutch, and English language. It was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's first internationally released film.{{Cite news |date=4 April 2017 |title=Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – The Express Tribune |language=en-US |work=The Express Tribune |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1373835/project-peshawar-first-multi-lingual-international-film-made-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/ |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203048/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1373835/project-peshawar-first-multi-lingual-international-film-made-khyber-pakhtunkhwa/ |archive-date=24 December 2018}}{{Cite news |date=7 April 2017 |title=Pakistani city Peshawar to release its first ever international movie – News Nation |language=en-US |publisher=News Nation |url=http://www.newsnation.in/world-news/pakistani-militancy-hit-city-peshawar-to-release-its-first-ever-international-movie-article-167422.html |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203045/https://www.newsnation.in/world-news/pakistani-militancy-hit-city-peshawar-to-release-its-first-ever-international-movie-article-167422.html |archive-date=24 December 2018}}{{Cite news |title=Project Peshawar: KP to host first international film |language=en-US |work=The Nation |url=http://nation.com.pk/entertainment/07-Apr-2017/project-peshawar-peshawar-to-host-first-international-film |url-status=live |access-date=2017-10-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817121937/http://nation.com.pk/entertainment/07-Apr-2017/project-peshawar-peshawar-to-host-first-international-film |archive-date=17 August 2017}} Project Peshawar was particularly popular in global media because Peshawar, the capital of the province,{{Cite news|url=https://veryfilmi.com/project-peshawar-trailer-shows-the-dark-side-of-social-media-dating/|title=Project Peshawar Trailer Shows The Dark Side of Social Media Dating – VeryFilmi|date=1 August 2017|work=VeryFilmi|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026014536/https://veryfilmi.com/project-peshawar-trailer-shows-the-dark-side-of-social-media-dating/|url-status=live}} was under militant rule for years.

Project Peshawar is a blend of eastern and western cultures, highlighting the negative side of modern-day social media.{{Cite news|url=https://www.parhlo.com/project-peshawar/|title=This Upcoming Film in Pakistan Exposes the Horrifying Truth of Social Media Dating|date=3 August 2017|work=Parhlo|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203054/https://www.parhlo.com/project-peshawar/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Project Peshawar: The city's first international film to release soon |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/137080-Project-Peshawar-The-citys-first-international-film-to-release-soon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203047/https://www.geo.tv/latest/137080-Project-Peshawar-The-citys-first-international-film-to-release-soon |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=Geo.tv |language=en-US}} The film also highlights the importance and legacy of the city of Peshawar at national and international levels.{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1461540/1461540/|title=Peshawar shouldn't make films with item songs because it means we're not different: Irshu Bangash – The Express Tribune|date=19 July 2017|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203051/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1461540/1461540/|url-status=live}} Project Peshawar revived Pashto cinema due to its production quality and talented cast members.{{Cite news|url=https://reviewit.pk/project-peshawar-first-multi-lingual-international-film-to-be-made-in-kpk/|title=Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in KPK|date=4 April 2017|work=Pakistani Drama Reviews {{!}} Ratings {{!}} Celebrities {{!}} Entertainment news Portal|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817123354/https://reviewit.pk/project-peshawar-first-multi-lingual-international-film-to-be-made-in-kpk/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |title=Peshawar to host first international film – Samaa TV |url=https://www.samaa.tv/entertainment/2017/04/peshawar-to-host-first-international-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203057/https://www.samaa.tv/culture/2017/04/peshawar-to-host-first-international-film/ |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=Samaa TV |language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1177384|title=KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon|last=AFP|date=7 April 2017|work=Images|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817161740/https://images.dawn.com/news/1177384|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.meshpedia.com/kp-releasing-first-ever-international-film-project-peshawar/|title=KP Releasing First Ever International Film 'Project Peshawar'|last=Mumtaz|first=Kanwal|date=24 July 2017|work=MeshPedia|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=18 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818011807/http://www.meshpedia.com/kp-releasing-first-ever-international-film-project-peshawar/|url-status=live}}

Plot

Project Peshawar is based on a true story and revolves around a British Pakistani who falls in love with a Peshawar-based woman on the internet, and travels back to Pakistan to realize that it was merely a trap to capture him.{{Cite web |title=Project Peshawar: First multi-lingual, international film to be made in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa {{!}} Daily Heights |url=http://heights.com.pk/news/story/34574 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817122202/http://heights.com.pk/news/story/34574 |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=heights.com.pk |language=en-US}}

The story highlights the negative side of the modern-day social media boom, and is intended to raise awareness as to how some people use social media negatively.{{Cite news |last=Shams |first=Isra |date=7 April 2017 |title=Peshawar to host its first international film |url=http://fhmpakistan.com/peshawar-host-first-international-film/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717171812/http://fhmpakistan.com/peshawar-host-first-international-film/ |archive-date=17 July 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |work=FHM Pakistan |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=7 April 2017 |title=KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon – Khyber News -Official Website |url=https://khybernews.tv/kps-first-international-film-project-peshawar-will-release-soon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817122811/https://khybernews.tv/kps-first-international-film-project-peshawar-will-release-soon/ |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |work=Khyber News -Official Website |language=en-US}}

Cast

Shoaib Lodin{{Cite web |title=Shoaib Lodin |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9411672/bio/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=IMDb |language=en-US |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424222821/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9411672/bio/ |url-status=live }}
Navishta Sahar{{Cite web |title=Navishta Sahar |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9411673/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=IMDb |language=en-US |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413123904/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9411673/ |url-status=live }}
Sally Ingry
Moez Mohmand
Mihela Bursc
Arbab Izhar Ahmad
James Ryan
Mustafa Khan
Mariyam
Dilawar Jan

Filming

Principal photography took place in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Pakistan,{{Cite web |title=KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/04/07/kps-first-international-film-project-peshawar-will-release-soon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817123619/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/04/07/kps-first-international-film-project-peshawar-will-release-soon/ |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=Pakistan Today |language=en-GB}} with 70% of the production in Peshawar. The male lead of the film, Shoaib Lodin, who also acted as a consultant producer on the film, is an Afghan-Dutch citizen who left Peshawar in 1997.{{Cite web |title=Peshawar shouldn't make films with item songs because it means we're not different: Irshad Bangash |url=http://www.dabang.pk/theme.aspx?post_id=45453 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818004842/http://www.dabang.pk/theme.aspx?post_id=45453 |archive-date=18 August 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=Dabang.pk}} He is a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India.{{Cite web|url=http://en.dailytaqat.com/Home/ViewDetails/3749|title=KP's first international film 'Project Peshawar' will release soon|website=en.dailytaqat.com|access-date=2017-10-17|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817130049/http://en.dailytaqat.com/Home/ViewDetails/3749|url-status=live}}

Release

Project Peshawar was released on 20 August 2017 in Peshawar,{{Cite web |title='Project Peshawar' premiere show today |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/224724-Project-Peshawar-premiere-show-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224203101/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/224724-Project-Peshawar-premiere-show-today |archive-date=24 December 2018 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=The News International |language=en}} premiering at Nishtar Hall.{{Cite news|url=https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/pakistan/news/tease-trailer-of-telefilm-project-peshawar-175465.html|title=Tease Trailer of Telefilm "Project Peshawar" On Aug 20 {{!}} Pakistan Point|work=Pakistan Point|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=17 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817123203/https://www.pakistanpoint.com/en/pakistan/news/tease-trailer-of-telefilm-project-peshawar-175465.html|url-status=live}} The premiere was sponsored by Jeans Films and the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was later shown at film festivals in the United States, Canada and the Netherlands.{{Cite web |title=Premiere show of telefilm 'Project Peshawar' on 20th |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/223794-Premiere-show-of-telefilm-Project-Peshawar-on-20th |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817121652/https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/223794-Premiere-show-of-telefilm-Project-Peshawar-on-20th |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=The News International |language=en}}

Critical reception

Film-maker Irshu Bangash told The Express Tribune that people from the local entertainment industry were trying to sabotage the film, claiming that it portrays the city negatively and "promotes western values" instead of local cultural values.{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1501732/first-international-film-peshawar-receives-flak-spreading-negative-image/|title=First international film from Peshawar receives flak for spreading 'negative image' – The Express Tribune|date=9 September 2017|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=2017-10-17|language=en-US|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017161435/https://tribune.com.pk/story/1501732/first-international-film-peshawar-receives-flak-spreading-negative-image/|url-status=live}} Bangash shared how they decided to do a film about social media and how it's misused. "We see it all around us. Even Mashal Khan's case was elevated due to social media and its power," he said. "It's funny because these are our seniors, yet a lot of inappropriate content has been released without any objections because of the lack of censor board in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa."

Official website

Soundtrack

Musicians involved in the production of the soundtrack include Fortitude, Khumariyaan,{{Cite web |last=NewsBytes |title=Khumariyaan song 'Chaukor' featured on Project Peshawar OST |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/204735-Khumariyaan-song-Chaukor-featured-on-Project-Peshawar-OST |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016225803/https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/instep-today/204735-Khumariyaan-song-Chaukor-featured-on-Project-Peshawar-OST |archive-date=16 October 2017 |access-date=2017-10-17 |website=The News International |language=en}} King Compass and the duo of Naseer & Shahab.

{{Infobox album

| name = ProjectPeshawar

| type = Soundtrack

| artist =

| cover =

| alt =

| caption = Project Peshawar Album Cover Poster

| released = 20 August 2017

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Film soundtrack