It is no secret that Pakistan is rich in creative talent. An example of this is aspiring director Khurram Zaidi who made his cinematic debut with his short film, ‘Muqaddas’ in 2023.
Shot in Kashmir, the film focuses on a young woman's quest for identity and freedom as she embarks on a transformative journey, grappling with a past that casts a long shadow over her life. It delves into the complexities of human relationships and how the decisions made by the protagonist shape her future.
Muqaddas has received awards at multiple film festivals and screened at over nine international film festivals so far. At 33 International Film Festival at Beijing, it won the award for Best Cinematography. At Chennai’s Uruvatti International Film Festival, the film got the award for Best Concept and Best Asian Short Film.
Zaidi was also recognised for his directorial debut at the Nitiin International Film Festival in Malaysia where “Muqaddas” received the award for Best Debut Short Film and Best Debut Director.
Born and raised in Lahore, Zaidi’s inspiration for the film was born during a period of introspection while living in Dubai.
"I wanted to capture the essence of Lahore, the stories whispered in its alleys, and translate that into a compelling cinematic narrative," he shares with The Friday Times.
He started writing the story without any preconceived notions of turning it into a film. It was all an organic process and with cinematographer Awais Ahmad’s encouragement, it eventually turned into a screenplay within a span of three months, he said.
While Kashmir serves as a visually stunning backdrop, the film’s core lies in its characters and their personal journeys.
The cast, primarily comprising university students and theatre actors, brought a fresh perspective to the story.
The film is produced by Farhan Shahid and promises to be a cinematic experience and the audience anticipate its release which will be both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.