Karachi, December 2022: Pakistani feature film “One of a Kind” aka “Wakhri” concludes its production and makes waves in the press for its socially apt theme. ‘Wakhri’, a film by director Iram Parveen Bilal was previously invited to the prestigious Cannes Cinefondation L’Atelier and became the first official selection of movies from Pakistan at the festival. The film was also the 2018 Locarno Open Doors selection. “Wakhri” features Pakistani actors Faryal Mehmood and Gulshan Majeed alongside senior industry actors and renowned social media influencers. The film is being produced by Abid Aziz Merchant’s ‘Sanat Initiative’ banner (“Sandstorm”), “Delhi Crime” producer Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan’s ‘Awedacious Originals’, alongside Iram Parveen Bilal’s ‘Parveen Shah Productions’ (“Josh”). Roman Paul (“Paradise Now,” “Wadjda,” “Waltz With Bashir”) of Razor Film Produktion is co-producing.
Inspired by the stories of unapologetic and often perceptively controversial social media influencers like the slain Qandeel Baloch, the film highlights social media trolling and marginalizing of society’s misfits in modern-day Pakistan. The storyline revolves around a character named Noor played by Faryal Mehmood who accidentally finds out about the power of social media when a video of hers accidentally becomes viral. Hence, her online identity “Wakhri” (one of a kind) gets created and now begins the dance of keeping her two identities distinct and separate. She craftily uses her celebrity for socio-economic impact. The movie touches on the sensitive and relevant subjects of social media trolling, the marginalization of women and minorities, and the stigmatization of girls’ education.
Iram Parveen Bilal has previously called the film a “grounded masala” genre, which promises thought-provoking subject matters whilst also featuring entertaining, loud Punjabi-language club tracks and Urdu-language rap songs to dance and chant with. The producers have brought forth the best of the Pakistani music and film industry with a cast and crew that has been locally and internationally celebrated. On the music side, award-winning music producer Abdullah Siddiqui will write the score, and the soundtrack features the likes of Meesha Shafi, Eva B, and other exciting names which will be unveiled shortly.
Bilal was named one of the directors to watch by the Alliance of Women Directors in 2020. Her previous film, “I’ll Meet You There,” was in the Grand Jury competition at SXSW in 2020, and hopes to overturn the ban on its release in Pakistan.
Masterminding the production design is the visionary Kanwal Khoosat while Aarti Bajaj, film editor of the renowned “Sacred Games” will be the editor of the project. The film is also a Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) and CAA Foundation Full Story Initiative grant recipient and recently participated at the Busan Asian Project Market.
“Wakhri” is already making waves through its distinct storyline, stellar team, cast and musicians, astute direction, and an array of international producers. Its themes have resonated with the press and social media and we cannot wait to see where it goes from completion.
