Geo Films acquires latest Pakistani independent film Dukhtar

KARACHI: In the flurry of exciting news of current and upcoming film releases, a recent entrant in the Pakistani independent filmmaking scene is Dukhtar (Daughter). It is helmed by Afia Nathaniel, one of Pakistan’s most exciting filmmakers and founder of Lahore-based Zambeel Films, and produced by Muhammad Khalid Ali, seasoned producer at The Crew Films in Karachi. Geo Films has acquired the rights for the Pakistan territory and is making release nationwide release plan for 14 August 2014, the 68th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Dukhtar is an international co-production between several countries and has high profile in the independent film community having won several prestigious and highly competitive film production awards like the Hubert Bals Fund, Sorfund and National Geographic’s All Road Seed grant, making Dukhtar the first Pakistani feature film to have all these awards under its belt.

“Dukhtar is a powerful story about a mother’s personal quest to save her ten-year-old daughter from an arranged marriage to a tribal leader. It is also Pakistan’s first road-trip thriller shot in the surreal landscapes of the northern areas. I am really looking forward to bringing this film to our Pakistani audiences,” said Afia Nathaniel, its writer-director and producer.

Speaking about Dukhtar, producer Muhammad Khalid Ali said, “We worked with some of the top-notch actors of Pakistan, including Samiya Mumtaz, Mohib Mirza, Asif Khan, Ajab Gul, Adnan Shah Tipu, Samina Ahmed, Saleha Aref, Abdullah Jaan and Omair Rana. We have made a film that is uniquely positioned to capture not just Pakistani audiences but international audiences as well.”

Post-production on the film is wrapping up and the film’s first look will be released soon. The film’s soundtrack was composed by Sahir Ali Bagga and Peter Nashel in New York. Imran Aslam, President, GEO TV Network adds: “GEO Films has always been at the forefront of the Revival of Pakistani cinema. We have been associated with landmark films like Khuda Kay Liye, Bol and Chambaili, amongst others, which have been significant milestones in this journey. Dukhtar is yet another meaningful film, which is a road movie inviting us to continue the journey”.