In memorium: ‘Ek Thi Marium’ takes flight
Telefilm on late Pakistani female fighter pilot to release on September 6
Ek Thi Marium depicts Marium’s life and last day on duty. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
As Pakistanis, we don’t always have many reasons to celebrate. But amongst those that we do have, the one which brings the entire nation together is our respect and gratitude towards our national heroes. This Defence Day will see the release of an 80-minute telefilm in honour of Marium Mukhtiar, Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot, who died in the line of duty in November last year.
Directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and starring actor Sanam Baloch in the titular role, Ek Thi Marium depicts the heroic narrative of Mukhtiar’s last day on duty, as well as her life story through various flashbacks. “For me, this is not just a story of a martyr but of hope. It’s a very human story at its core; a story about achieving your dreams,” Khoosat told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan has a dearth of heroes and I feel they must be celebrated more often.”
The Manto-director came onboard after Mehreen Jabbar left the project due to other commitments. The film was shot at Risalpur in Mianwali district, and Karachi over a span of about two weeks and is currently in post-production.
Assistant director Syed Nabeel Ali Jafri shared details about the film’s creative outlook as well. “We have taken some creative licenses, with the permission of the Pakistan Air Force and Marium’s family. However, there are not many changes. The film is based on a true story and it’s been told that way,” he said.
Jafri added that the team shot in extreme conditions while in Punjab. “We did the principle photography in late July and most of the film was shot outdoors so it was extremely difficult. The temperatures were around 45 to 50 degrees every day and we used to shoot all day long.”
Mukhtiar was Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot who died in a Pakistan Air Force aircraft crash near Kundian in Mianwali, on November 24, 2015. Ek Thi Marium is set to telecast on Urdu 1 on September 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2016.
As Pakistanis, we don’t always have many reasons to celebrate. But amongst those that we do have, the one which brings the entire nation together is our respect and gratitude towards our national heroes. This Defence Day will see the release of an 80-minute telefilm in honour of Marium Mukhtiar, Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot, who died in the line of duty in November last year.
Directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and starring actor Sanam Baloch in the titular role, Ek Thi Marium depicts the heroic narrative of Mukhtiar’s last day on duty, as well as her life story through various flashbacks. “For me, this is not just a story of a martyr but of hope. It’s a very human story at its core; a story about achieving your dreams,” Khoosat told The Express Tribune. “Pakistan has a dearth of heroes and I feel they must be celebrated more often.”
The Manto-director came onboard after Mehreen Jabbar left the project due to other commitments. The film was shot at Risalpur in Mianwali district, and Karachi over a span of about two weeks and is currently in post-production.
Assistant director Syed Nabeel Ali Jafri shared details about the film’s creative outlook as well. “We have taken some creative licenses, with the permission of the Pakistan Air Force and Marium’s family. However, there are not many changes. The film is based on a true story and it’s been told that way,” he said.
Jafri added that the team shot in extreme conditions while in Punjab. “We did the principle photography in late July and most of the film was shot outdoors so it was extremely difficult. The temperatures were around 45 to 50 degrees every day and we used to shoot all day long.”
Mukhtiar was Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot who died in a Pakistan Air Force aircraft crash near Kundian in Mianwali, on November 24, 2015. Ek Thi Marium is set to telecast on Urdu 1 on September 6.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2016.