Indian filmmaker announces film on Qandeel Baloch

Qandeel Baloch, the slain Pakistani social media sensation, has been rather popular in pop culture. The internet star rose to fame with her YouTube videos and was murdered by her brother, Waseem, in 2016 for 'dishonouring' the family. Baloch's tragic demise has been a much-discussed point in the entertainment industry; so much so, that it propelled a local channel to tell the late model's tale. The said drama serial, Baaghi, starred Saba Qamar as Kanwal Baloch. 

Now, a film on Qandeel Baloch has been announced in India. Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava, who had helmed famous web series such as Made in Heaven and Bombay Begums, will be working on the said project. According to The Indian Express, producers Vikas Sharma and Sunny Khanna, along with Shrivastava have acquired the rights to the book The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch by Pakistani journalist Sanam Maher. 

“When Qandeel Baloch was murdered in Pakistan in 2016, I was shaken up. It was a heinous honour killing. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I started watching Qandeel’s videos repeatedly, and I was fascinated," Alankrita shared with the publication. “She was so charming and full of life. A poor girl from a small village, who worked her way up to being provocatively famous. She was just 26 when she was killed. And ironically, it’s only after her death that she has been reclaimed as a feminist,” the director said in a statement. This film is an ode to the courageous spirit of Baloch."

The filmmaker went on to add, “It will chronicle her sensational and astonishing rise to fame. I hope to piece together the memories of the rebellious, funny and vulnerable young girl, whose life was cut short because she shimmered too bright. The film will celebrate her spunk and lust for life by telling her story without judgment, hopefully, the way she would have liked to tell it."

Sharma and Khanna said, for them, this movie is an opportunity for them to tell a unique story on female agency and systemic gender violence. Sharma, who has produced films like Qarib Qarib Single and Dobaara among others, commented how the story of Baloch deserves to be told by the right filmmaker and he is happy to have collaborated with Shrivastava for the upcoming feature.

“Qandeel’s story needs to be told by a sensitive filmmaker who is passionate about women’s stories. Alankrita is just the filmmaker for it. And not just because she is an award-winning feminist filmmaker, but because she has so much empathy for her characters. She tells their stories with candour and warmth,” the producer said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Khanna said the world needs to know about Baloch.

“Qandeel Baloch’s story is important and relevant. Even today women often continue to be at risk when they dare to express their individuality and challenge the status quo. I believe the world needs to watch stories like this. And I’m looking forward to the journey of this film,” Khanna, whose co-production credits include Why Cheat India? and Bheja Fry 2, said.

Previously, in an interview with The Express Tribune, Qamar, who essayed Baloch in the Pakistani project, shared how many understand the latter was wronged by the society. Baaghi shed light on honour killings, which seem to be prevalent practice in the country.

"To some extent, honour killing has changed," the Ghabrana Nahi Hai star had shared. "And I say that because the same people who were abusing her were the ones crying after watching the last episode. They were the ones who then had a soft corner for her. I think they finally understood how she was wronged on so many levels."

She concluded, "Also, I believe that, as artists, we are fortunate enough to have a platform that we can use to change people’s perceptions and views. We can portray stories that are meaningful and thought-provoking for the greater good of the country and the world."

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