Films

Pakistani Film ‘The Curfew’ Makes it to Venice Biennale

Pakistani filmmakers are adorning international screens. Director Shehrezad Maher’s recent film The Curfew took stage at Venice Biennale on 4 September.

The film stars Sathya Sridharan, Balinder Johal, Sara Haider, Rajesh Bose, Chris Thorn and Salwa Khan. It is produced by Lindsay Blair Goeldner and Meetra Javed. Its cinematography has been done by Dustin Lane and production design by Ana Novacic. It is being distributed by Fae Pictures and Baby Daal Productions.

The 19-minute film is about Pakistani American Ayaan who cares for his frailing grandmother. As he does so, the two fight the silence of a language barrier and try to learn each other’s language. The film shows how histories and ghosts from a colonial past can affect the present.

Shehrezad Maher won the 2023 Islamic Scholarship Fund’s National Film Grant for The Curfew. She is a New York-based artist and filmmaker and her films have been screened at institutions and festivals such as Visions du Réel, RIDM, the LA Film Forum, Anthology Film Archives, UnionDocs, and Experiments in Cinema.

Her feature film script, Theory of Colors, was one of the three projects selected for the 2023 Hamptons Film Screenwriters Lab and received the Melissa Mathison Screenwriters Fund and the Cinestory Feature Retreat’s Hagan Hicks Underrepresented Women’s Voices Scholarship.

The Curfew was the only Pakistani film that was screened at the Venice Film Festival this year. Previously, Saim Sadiq’s Darling screened and won Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival in 2019.

Also Read: Zindagi Tamasha: First Pakistani Film to Premiere on TikTok

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Films

Pakistani Celebrities & Public Praise Haq

Haq is an Indian courtroom film that was released in cinemas in November 2025, after which it was uploaded on Netflix on January 2, 2026. The film quickly grabbed viewers’ attention across the globe, including Pakistan. The movie is written by Reshu Nath and directed by Suparn Verma. The cast features Yami Gautam Dhar as Shazia Bano and Emraan Hashmi as Advocate Mohammad Abbas Khan in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Sheeba Chaddha, Vartika Singh, and Danish Husain. Inspired by the real-life 1985 Supreme Court judgment of Mohd. Ahmed Khan v. Shah Bano Begum, the film explores an intense legal and personal struggle for women’s rights and maintenance within the framework of religious and civil law.

Yami Gautam’s movie Haq is receiving huge praise in Pakistan despite the recent conflict between the two nations. The recent Netflix release is being appreciated by Pakistani celebrities and viewers alike. Many praised Yami Gautam’s remarkable emotional performance. Fazila Qazi, Yasir Hussain, Maryam Noor, Dr. Ijaz Waris, and others lauded the film. Yasir Hussain called it a beautiful movie, while Fazila Qazi praised Yami Gautam’s impactful performance. Maryam Noor appreciated how beautifully the message was conveyed.

Pakistani viewers also loved the movie and extended generous praise. One viewer said, “Loved it. I watched it without blinking my eyes. A great movie that won every woman’s heart.” Another wrote, “It is not about them or us. If something is good and touches your heart, it should be appreciated.” A fan stated, “Same here! I wept many times. I usually do not watch Indian content, but this was meant to be watched.” Another Pakistani viewer wrote, “Beautiful movie and nicely portrayed by the entire cast. To be honest, in some scenes Yami reminded me of Benazir Bhutto, especially in the courtroom scenes.” However, a few viewers debated that there were some instances that were not close to Islamic teachings, such as the depiction of beating after divorce. Overall, they agreed that the film conveyed a strong and meaningful message.

Films

Fahad Mustafa & Mahira Khan Unmask First ‘ALBM’ Glimpse

Superstar Fahad Mustafa has set social media ablaze with the first cryptic look at his upcoming film ‘ALBM,’ confirming the full teaser featuring Mahira Khan will debut on January 3, 2026.

In an 11-second Instagram clip, the duo appears wearing striking red masks, staring intensely as the camera zooms in—fueling fan speculation about the mysterious plot and tone. Mustafa captioned the post: “Behind the masks are faces you know… and a story you don’t.”

The actor recently announced the wrap of filming, describing it as “months of passion, precision and storytelling,” and signaling the start of the promotional countdown. Fans flooded the comments, eagerly anticipating his on-screen reunion with Mahira Khan and predicting major buzz for Pakistani cinema.

While details remain tightly guarded, the film—written and directed by Bilal Altaf Khan, with comedian Tabish Hashmi in a key role—has already sparked industry talk of a possible Eid-ul-Azha release. For now, audiences can only anticipate the steady rollout of hints toward one of the year’s most awaited films.

Films

AI Meets Storytelling: Pakistan Unveils The Next Salahuddin

The premiere, held at Karachi’s Nueplex Cinema, attracted media representatives, cultural icons, and distinguished guests, showcasing a bold step toward the future of filmmaking.

Written and directed by Farhan Siddiqui, the film blends advanced technology with a socially conscious narrative. Veteran producer Ustad Asim Ismail highlighted that while the story draws inspiration from historical events, it remains relevant to contemporary social realities.

Notably, the production did not involve any live actors, physical locations, or traditional sets, yet audiences experience the story seamlessly, unaware of its AI-generated origins.

“AI-based filmmaking offers unprecedented efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness,” Farhan Siddiqui explained. “There are no location issues, no scheduling conflicts, and no risks associated with on-site shoots. The entire film was produced from a single room.”

The 55-minute feature is structured for younger viewers, adopting a fast-paced, reel-like format to maintain continuous engagement. Farhan Siddiqui emphasized that the film aims to make audiences laugh, cry, and reflect, while inspiring young people to believe in their ability to effect meaningful change.

Producer Asim Ismail described The Next Salahuddin as a voice for peace, human rights, and solidarity, with a particular focus on the plight of Palestinians. He hailed the project as a historic achievement that could establish Pakistan’s creative identity on the global stage.

Speaking at the event, writer and director Talal Farhat urged emerging filmmakers to move beyond stereotypical narratives centered on violence, feudal conflicts, or formulaic family dramas.

“In today’s digital age, technology and artificial intelligence shape human relationships faster than ever,” Talal Farhat remarked. “Avoiding AI is no longer an option. Filmmakers must embrace it to innovate and redefine storytelling.”

The film will be released in multiple languages, including Urdu, English, Bengali, and Arabic, catering to both domestic and international audiences.

Plans are also underway to submit The Next Salahuddin to an international film competition in France in March 2026, along with screenings in Malaysia.

The premiere of The Next Salahuddin represents a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s film industry, uniting history, social messaging, and artificial intelligence to usher in a new era of storytelling.