Wakhri
Directed byIram Parveen Bilal
Produced by
  • Abid Aziz Merchant[1]
  • Apoorva Bakshi
  • Iram Parveen Bilal
Starring
Edited byAarti Bajaj
Music byAbdullah Siddiqui
Distributed byMandiviwala Entertainment
Release date
  • 5 January 2024 (2024-01-05)
CountryPakistan
LanguageUrdu

Wakhri is a Pakistani film directed by Iram Parveen Bilal who co-produced it as well, and starring Faryal Mehmood in her debut film lead as a widowed school teacher who gets viral on social media. The film is inspired by the late social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, who was murdered in 2016.[1] The film had its world premiere in Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023. It was later theatrically released on 5 January 2024 nationwide.

Cast

Production

In December 2022, it reported that Pakistani-US director Iram Parveen Bilal has wrapped the principal photography of her upcoming film which is inspired by Qandeel Baloch.[3] Faryal Mehmood was selected to portray the title character who was finalised after giving an audition and it took over two months to confirm her.[4] While talking about her casting, Bilal stated pointed about her social media trolling, which is also severely faced the protagonist in the film.[5][6] Mehmood dedicates the film to her ex-husband Daniyal Raheal.[7] The film was edited by Aarti Bajaj and the production was designed by Kanwal Khoosat.[4]

The film's trailer was released on 7 November 2023.[1] The film was debuted on Red Sea International Film Festival in December 2023.[2] On 4 December 2023, the film was cleared by Central Board of Film Censors fir a nationwide release.[8] The film was distributed by Mandiviwalla Entertainment, and released on 5 January 2023 in Pakistan.[7]

Reception

Critical reception

In a review by Screen International, Bilal's direction was termed as "straightforward" and was compared with that of Saim Sadiq. The reviewer stated that it lacks the intricacy and nuance like Sadiq's direction who was also featured in 2018’s Locarno Open Doors like Bilal.[9]

Sara Danial of Dawn Images heavily praised the Mehmood's performance and wrote, "Mehmood’s portrayal of Noor is nothing short of brilliance, seamlessly encapsulating the nuances of her character, resonating with authenticity and depth."[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Naman Ramachandran (November 6, 2023). "'Wakhri': Red Sea Film Inspired by Slain Pakistan Social Media Star Unveils First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Wakhri premieres at Red Sea International Film Festival 2023". The News International. December 10, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Iram Parveen Bilal Wraps Pakistan Shoot on Social Media Themed Film 'One of a Kind' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. December 5, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Rida Lodhi (January 3, 2024). "Gave it all for 'Wakhri': Faryal Mehmood says film is a tribute to Qandeel Baloch". The Express Tribune.
  5. ↑ "No one could have played this better than Faryal Mehmood: Iram Parveen talks 'Wakhri' casting". The Express Tribune. 8 December 2023.
  6. ↑ Liz Shackleton (December 3, 2023). "'One Of A Kind' Director Iram Parveen Bilal & Actor Gulshan Majeed On Current Pakistan Wave & How Qandeel Baloch Inspired Their Film – Red Sea Studio".
  7. 1 2 "My ex-husband is my lucky charm, says Faryal Mehmood, dedicates 'Wakhri' to Daniyal Raheal". The Express Tribune. January 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ Nick Holdsworth (December 4, 2023). "'Wakhri,' Inspired by 'Brave Spirits' Like Murdered Social Media Star Qandeel Baloch, Cleared by Censors for Release in Pakistan". Variety.
  9. ↑ Amber Wilkinson (December 3, 2023). "'Wakhri': Red Sea Review". Screen International.
  10. ↑ Sara Danial (January 6, 2023). "Review: Wakhri is a bold tale of courage, struggle and societal rebellion". Dawn Images. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
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