South Asia has scarier stories to tell: Usman Mukhtar on ‘Gulabo Rani’ and why horror works

Horror is a tricky genre of filmmaking and is often very challenging to produce; however, with a compelling script and sound design, the audiences are left hypnotised and, in some cases, extremely flustered and spooked. And that's exactly how Usman Mukhtar's short film, Gulabo Rani makes you feel.

Over the decade, Pakistani audiences have seen many horror flicks come out—from Siyaah (2013) to Maya (2015) and Pari (2018)—yet each failed to hit the mark in its own fashion. Despite checking all the boxes of a horror film checklist — jump scares, thrilling backstories, and ghoulish characters, the films still left the audience with an empty feeling. Pakistani filmmakers may have finally cracked the horror code with Usman Mukhtar’s Gulabo Rani; a 35-minute short film.

Starring Usama Javed Haider, Meiraj Haq, and Danial Afzal, the Mukhtar directorial has the potential to make you anxious and be at the edge of your seat, through and through. And the credit goes to its eerie cinematic production, nail-biting sequences, and a score that will remain etched in your mind forever, like an uncomfortable recollection of the entire film.

If there is one aspect of Gulabo Rani that stands out, it's the score. From the beginning, as we enter Akhtar's isolated hostel room to see him studying amidst a rainy night, to the end, where we witness him trembling with fear and sobbing as he looks upon the dreadful eyes of Gulabo Rani, sound plays a significant role in every single scene of the film.

Staying true to its psychological thriller origin, the short film stuck to a rather simple storyline that toyed with South Asian myths and stories. Inspired and later fictionalised, Gulabo Rani stems from a story Mukhtar heard took place within the premises of a university in Taxila, around 15 years ago.

"South Asia has scarier stories to tell, it's only on us to bring them on the big screen."

Upon being asked about the key to making successful films, Mukhtar said, "I think the films that don't do well in box offices, it's pretty obvious from the start that they won't. I don’t know why the producers don't look at the trailers, I genuinely believe that if your content is good, your film is bound to do well. But, if the film is comprised of lazy writing, or a rip-off or cheap copy from the neighbouring country, it won't attract an audience. People are tired of seeing the same storylines, and same formula films, why would they pay to watch something they have already seen, again and again?"

If there was one thing that could have upped the notch in the short film, it was the visuals of the spirit of Gulabo Rani. Although her grim presence inside Akhtar's body was lethal to any fragile heart, her "ghostly" face which knocked on his door did not do justice to her scary demeanour. Maybe if her face wasn't really shown to the audience, or remained a blurred persona that glares as it did at the end of the film, it would have created an even larger mystery around Gulabo Rani, and the terrors she is capable of inflicting upon her targets.

Before concluding the interview, Muhktar confirmed that if they find a producer to fund, a feature horror film will be in the works! "We made this short film to show financiers and producers the look and feel of a feature film we intend to make. Hopefully, we soon get a producer on board."

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