‘Javed Iqbal’ renamed ‘Kukri’: Yasir Hussain's film set to be resubmitted to censor board with edits

The much-contested project may just hit cinemas after changes

After facing numerous obstacles and delays, the makers of the film Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer are still determined to make it to the big screen. Director Abu Aleeha has made cuts to the film and changed its name to Kukri, and plans to resubmit it for approval by the censor board, he told The Express Tribune. According to Aleeha, the new name is based on Javed Iqbal's nickname due to his sitting style.

“We tried ourselves to independently release our film Javed Iqbal last time,” shares the director. “We didn’t have a proper distributor. Once we received the censor certificate, the way it was returned, a lot has already been written about that. Keeping that in mind, we have now joined hands with Eveready Pictures, a very credible distributor in Pakistan, and will resubmit Javed Iqbal through them. We submitted a request to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the federal censor board to review the film again and whatever changes they want to make, we’re agreeable, if they give us the permission to play this in cinemas.”

“In this regard,” continues Aleeha, “They watched the film, previewed it again, and they suggested that we change the name of the film from Javed Iqbal, given that it may seem like we’re glorifying the character. The second thing is that when the film ends if we could give a message from our side about why we actually wanted to make this film. We’ve been saying this in all interviews, our goal was never to glorify Javed Iqbal or his crimes."

Aleeha goes on to comment, "Our goal is just for people to see this, recognise the character and see how this man was living like a normal man and, once you see the film, if there is any child abuser, rapist, or molester around you, please identify him for the sake of your children. This was our message. They told us to incorporate the message at the end of the film somehow which we are going to do. The changes are less about cuts and more about additions. If the film duration was previously 95 minutes, now it’s increased by ten minutes.”

If approved, Kukri will be showcased between Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha. Originally intended to release in October 2021, the film's premiere was pushed back to December due to issues with censorship. Despite having its Karachi premiere in January 2022, the film was later halted by the Punjab government.

Kukri is based on the true story of Javed Iqbal, a serial killer who confessed to murdering 100 young boys in Lahore in 1999. The film's screenplay was written by Aleeha, and it has been produced by Javed Ahmed Kakepoto. Despite the challenges faced in its journey to the big screen, the film has already had a world premiere at a UK film festival and has been selected for the Berlin International Art Film Festival. A sequel is also in the works and scheduled to be released in theatres this summer.

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