Film on iconic Muslim ruler Salahuddin Ayyubi awaits funding to take-off

Check out the riveting zero-budget trailer of the film here

KARACHI: While Pakistani filmmakers continue to play it safe by churning out hoards of clichéd romantic comedies, the audience seems to have a craving for epic period dramas.

Wouldn't it be amazing to watch a Pakistani movie with visuals as grand as those of Game of Thrones? Well, our prayers may have been answered. Upcoming Pakistani film Saladin is gearing up to shake the industry with some astounding visuals.

Umar Agha, a film graduate from Columbia University recently released the teaser of the film based on the life of iconic Muslim ruler Salahuddin Ayyubi. The first sultan of Egypt and Syria and the founder of the Ayyubid Dynasty, Saladin was known for his military conquests and generosity. He also led the Muslim military campaign against the Crusader states in the Levant, and is widely respected across the Muslim world.

Rise and fall of civilisations

As wonderful as the teaser looks, it still requires a budget to be turned into a complete feature. With the proof-of-concept teaser, Agha aims to attract funding for Saladin; the teaser merely a glimpse of what Agha is capable of executing.

The zero-budget video shot in Lahore looks better than most contemporary Pakistani film teasers and, according to a picture posted on Saladin's official Facebook page, it looks like Hollywood is taking note of Agha's work. “Umar has a unique vision, and he knows exactly how this project should look,” says Arnauld Valette, concept artist for Game of Thrones and Marvel Studios.

Watch the teaser here:


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