Deepa Mehta Boards Pakistani Film ‘Wakhri’ as Executive Producer

Acclaimed director Deepa Mehta, known for films such as “Funny Boy”, “Fire”, “Water” and “Earth”, has come on board Iram Parveen Bilal’s “Wakhri”, set in Pakistan, as executive producer-host.

“Wakhri” is set to open the 19th edition of the Tasveer Film Festival on October 17 in Seattle. The film tells the story of a widowed teacher who becomes an overnight sensation on social media due to her unfiltered opinions. As she navigates her new status as an influencer, she must balance traditional norms, hidden identities, and raising her 10-year-old son.

The film is inspired by Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch, who was murdered in 2016. It has already made its mark on the festival circuit, debuting at the Red Sea Film Festival and screening at SXSW, the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Cleveland International Film. Festival, among others.

“Wakhri” is a collaboration between Sanat Initiative, Awedacious Originals and Parveen Shah Production, with Mehta’s Deepa Mehta Films Inc. joining as presenting producer. Produced by Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi and Bilal, “Wakhri” stars Faryal Mehmood in the lead role alongside Gulshan Majeed. The supporting cast includes Bakhtawar Mazhar, Saleem Meraj, Sohail Sameer, Shees Sajjad Gul, Akbar Islam and Tooba Siddiqui.

Mehta said, “I can’t wait for this powerful, beautiful film that paints a vivid and accessible picture of the fight against oppression and patriarchy to be seen by the world.”

Bilal added, “Deepa Mehta is a creator who has influenced my voice. Her bold storytelling has been an inspiration to witness both as an audience member and as a filmmaker, and so it feels magical for her to have such strong feelings about ‘Wakhri’ and for her to support the project.”

Bakshi and Merchant said, “Deepa has fearlessly constructed and championed bold feminist narratives, and we value her support in amplifying the powerful position that ‘Wakhri’ takes in a highly patriarchal world. In a world where norms often suppress dreams and gender identity is still taboo, we hope the public will witness the marginalized, seize the smallest opportunity and turn it into a giant victory for themselves and society as a whole.”

The film had a seven-week theatrical run in Pakistan earlier this year.