A public disagreement has emerged over the commercial performance of Zombeid, with journalist Naeem Hanif challenging claims of the film’s box office success despite celebrations from its makers.
The commercial performance of Zombeid, the latest Eid-ul-Adha release starring Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat, has become the center of a growing debate in Pakistan’s entertainment industry.
The film marks another collaboration between Fahad Mustafa and filmmakers Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi. Following its Eid release, Fahad Mustafa publicly celebrated the movie’s performance, stating that Zombeid had won the hearts of audiences while also achieving strong financial results.
However, veteran journalist Naeem Hanif has strongly disputed those claims. During a discussion about Fahad Mustafa’s request to the Punjab government to extend cinema operating hours, Hanif argued that Zombeid and other Eid releases failed to perform as expected at the box office.
According to Hanif, the film struggled to attract viewers in the days following Eid, alleging that some screenings experienced extremely low attendance. He criticized filmmakers for what he described as efforts to project commercial success despite what he believes was weak audience response.
Hanif further questioned the effectiveness of extending cinema hours, arguing that additional operating time would not significantly increase attendance if audiences were not already visiting theaters. He also claimed that the local film industry needs stronger collaboration with experienced technicians and industry professionals to improve the quality and commercial appeal of productions.
The journalist additionally raised concerns regarding government film grants, alleging that certain industry figures benefited from public funding without sufficient merit. His remarks have sparked discussion on social media, with supporters and critics debating both the film’s performance and the broader challenges facing Pakistan’s cinema industry.
As of now, the filmmakers have continued to highlight audience support for Zombeid, while differing opinions about its box office results remain a topic of public conversation.
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