Ali, a struggling musician, comes back to Pakistan from London to continue his music work as he is not getting good work there. When he comes to his hometown, he meets Uzma, a writer, whose marriage with her husband Umer, a film director, is in turmoil because of an up-and-coming actress.
Shaan Shahid revealed in August 2013 to The Times of India that when Mahesh Bhatt called him to remake Arth in Pakistani version, he was excited. "The movie will be made in an Urdu version and it's going to a multi level movie with actors from both the countries", he said.[8][9] Hammad Chaudhry; film distributor and co-producer said, "Arth 2 is a contemporary take on relationships in modern Pakistan but the essence of the original is intact," adding that Bhatt has "also come on board as mentor."[10] Co-producer Ali Murtaza said to HIP, "We've packaged the old characters [of original Arth] in a fresh screenplay with a new plot".[11] Shahid said to Pakistan Today, "As a writer, for me, it was challenging to take that film out of a condensed art form, add flavour to it and make it into something new".[12]
Bhatt said to the Dawn newspaper that it was the film he started his career with. He commented that Shahid "has complete freedom to reinterpret it however he wishes" and "I am very keen to see" it.[13] Shahid too shared, "I offered him money to buy the rights but he said he doesn't want it." He told that Bhatt said to him, "Just give me credit and make it a symbol of Indo-Pak friendship."[14]
An MoU was signed between ARY Films and Riaz Shahid Films on 23 November 2013 for 5 films.[15] It also included Arth 2, however, ARY Films withdrew their support.[16] Shaan Shahid then clarified later in December 2017 interview with Samaa TV that he believes "such an act limits the scope of the film" that's why he didn't go to media houses.[17]
Casting
Humaima Malick's name was also revealed as the film was announced.[9] The cast of film was announced in May 2014, it includes Uzma Hassan. Earlier Humayun Saeed was cast,[18][19] but due to ARY Films left, Mohib Mirza replaced him later in December 2015.
In an interview to Samaa TV, Malick told that when Arth 2 was offered to her, she was busy in "Raja Natwarlal and Dekh Magar Pyaar Say". She said that the director told her, "this character was written for me" and "said that if I didn't do it, he will not do it." Mirza told that as the "director had his own vision and nuances set for the character," so he tried to "conceive and portray an already established role" and delivered in his own blended way.[17]
Filming
Filming began on 1 December 2015 in Lahore on an occasion where director celebrated his 25 years working in Pakistani cinema. The actress Neelo performed film slate's fist clap.[20] Parts were also filmed in Bristol and Scotland.[12] Final leg of filming took place in London from August 2016;[21] and wrapped up in October.[22] Muaz Iqbal has served as film's cinematographer in Pakistan, and Tim wood in Bristol and Scotland.[15]
Shaan Shahid confirmed to HIP that Arth 2 and Zarrar will be the first two Pakistani films to have their post-production in a British film studio; Pinewood Studios, London.[23] The editing and grading stage started in August 2016. It took more than two years to complete the whole production.[24] He said, "Films should not be part of the politics; the intellectual elite of both [India and Pakistan] shouldn't be part of this mayhem".[17]
Promotion
The film cast teamed up with the UN Women and launch a campaign #EndViolenceAgainstWomen, because the film plot also revolves around multiple social issues including gender equality and the empowerment of women.[25] Shahid said to The News on Sunday, "I feel the tagline 'Decisions determine destiny' is what the film stands for. It is about the power of a single woman."[24]
The soundtrack and score for the film has been given by Sahir Ali Bagga. "The songs are actually of my own genre and style. I haven't sought inspiration from any Indian or Western styles." He told The Express Tribune that "All songs are new and we haven't used the age-old formula of forcing through" each genre song, because "a guitarist of today is different from that of the 80s."[26]
After four official teasers, which introduced the characters of the film to the audience;[27][28] the film's trailer released on 20 October 2017.[29] The film had a limited release in Pakistan on 21 December 2017, a day before its worldwide release on 22 December.
Critical reception
The film had a premiere event the same day of its release in Lahore.[30] It failed to impress most of the critics and audience.[2]
For Dunya News, Maleeha Mengal praised the music but commented that the film "might soon be forgotten, without a perfect destination but for perfectly logical reasons."[31] Tehreem Azeem praised Uzma Hassan, but criticized its bold scenes and dialogues and said that she would had a remote to forward the film.[32] Mahwash Ajaz rated 3 out of 5 stars and praised the film, while she too criticized some of its bold scenes.[33] Dr Tooba Nawaz referred to the film as "masala movie" and too praised Uzma Hassan and film music.[34] For The Express Tribune, Rahul Aijaz too praised the music and Hassan, but rated only 1.5 stars out of 5, saying "There is little entertainment and the message is clouded by amateurish technical errors".[35] Syeda Fizza Hasan Rizvi rated 4 out of 5 stars and praised it, "the movie itself is one emotional rollercoaster ride where you will feel everything".[36]
Shahjehan Saleem of Something Haute rated it 3 stars out of 5 and said that the film "is far from a failure, but also far from perfection", adding, "Despite its shortcomings, the film's strong cast manages" to "veer it towards success."[37] A reviewer from HIP said, "The look of the film is great, but the emotional connect is lacking apart from except probably [Hassan …] However, this film has stretched boundaries for the industry that is for sure."[38] Ayesha Amin of The Nation praised the visual effects and music, but said, "The storyline was not well-defined […] The movie could have been simpler and better, instead of being so dramatic."[39] Manal Faheem Khan of The News International said, "It's dramatic, has an urban flavour, an impressive star cast, is engaging and moves fast. But it's still a badly made film."[40] Yusra Jabeen of DAWN Images praised only Hassan as "the only thing good about Arth 2", while she said that the film was "an absolute disservice" to the "original 1982 classic", as the "basic concept" was "completely let [gone]".[41] Khurram Sohail of Dawn News praised the storytelling, but said that the music could be the only reason to fail the box office numbers.[42]
Dr Dushka H Saiyid of Youlin Magazine said, "It is a film with an interesting storyline and good acting, but the screenplay and directing leave room for improvement."[43] Maman Hussain of Daily Times commented, "Despite strong performances by all four characters, the film lacked expertise on technical grounds", adding that it "is bound to be the success it is truly meant for".[44] Saneela Jawad of Pakistan Today rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and praised it, giving verdict that it "isn't a flawed movie; one wouldn't call it a complete fail, but wouldn't categorize as a perfect movie either."[45] Meshal Ashraf Cheema of Daily Pakistan too praised its cast and music and said, "This film should be named as 'Shaan's Film'", while she criticized its camera work.[46] Omair Alavi praised the music, but rated 2 out of 5 stars and wrote to MAG The Weekly, "Most of the things about Arth were wrong even before the film hit the screens."[47]
