From writing about jinns to 'Deemak:' How Ayesha Muzaffar is breaking new ground in horror

A dreary winter night, wherein I was looking for something - anything - to pass the time, brought me to an unusual Instagram page. A past version of myself would have never spent a second divulging into the feed of an account titled Abu's Jinns. Horror was never my thing. I was afraid of my own shadow.

However, something about the page made me stay. Was it the beautifully rooted storytelling, that didn't sell me the life of some John Doe in New York dealing with an obvious poltergeist, but instead focused on the average Shabana being taken over by a jinn? Was it the mix of English and Urdu, or the delightful references to local spaces? Perhaps, it was a bit of everything. 

Now, Ayesha Muzaffar, a two-time published author and the mastermind behind the account has just checked off her latest feat - conceptualizing and penning Deemak, a Rafay Rashdi directorial that boasts a star-studded cast. 

"I thoroughly enjoyed narrating stories that my dearest baba jaan so fondly spoke of," reminisces Ayesha as she speaks to The Express Tribune. "I had always found amusement in creeping people out. Before I knew it, the tiny snippets of unseen entities became an escape for me and I thoroughly dove into the paranormal realm." 

Shedding light on Deemak, Ayesha reveals, "The story is a narration by my father and it has been mixed with a fragment of my formidable imagination; birthing characters that I have seen roaming amongst me. This project is deeply significant to me as it marks my venture into screenplay writing, that, too, horror, and is in the works of being executed by a brilliant director, Rafay with his promising Canadian VFX team."

She continues to state, "The story is very relatable to many. It’s the story of a thousand Pakistani houses with a supernatural element to it. Which, I must add, intensifies the eeriness. With a stellar cast featuring luminaries like Samina Peerzada, Bushra Ansari, Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, and Javed Sheikh, the production promises to be a star-studded spectacle!"

When asked about what the audience can look forward to regarding the promising offering, Ayesha shares, "Everything! From a compelling plot and stellar acting to captivating cinematography and spine-chilling jump-scares, it promises to be a truly unique experience."

Even though she has authored two books - Jinnistan - Scary Stories to Tell Over Chai and The Bhabhis of Lahore & Other Forbidden Tales of the City - it hasn't always been smooth sailing. "I had a handful of unpleasant experiences with industry’s big shots that stole ideas, stories, and took up too much time before Rafay came along," recalls Ayesha. "He mentored me and made me believe that the media industry is not as formidable as it seems." Despite all setbacks, Ayesha is committed  to "creating unforgettable pieces of art." 

Given that Rafay has been a mentor, Ayesha is excited for their visions to amalgamate. "We’re both passionate and driven and somewhere in between that passion and drive, our thoughts meet," exclaims Ayesha. "That being said, for me, this has been a remarkably learning and enjoyable experience, having worked alongside him!"

Abu's Jinns has more than 47000 followers on Instagram. That sizable number, however, has not shaken Ayesha's ability to stay grounded. "The prospect of this being the first interaction with me as a writer for those unfamiliar with my books is both exciting and humbling," she remarks. "It offers an opportunity to introduce my storytelling style in a new light, and I'm eager to share this creative journey with a broader audience."

Ayesha says she feels "important" and "heard" by this collaboration. "I feel that I can knit worlds for people through words…creating a space that they adore and that is an indescribable feeling. And of course - I thoroughly benefit from scaring people. It brings me joy," she expresses.

Ayesha's journey doesn't halt at Deemak, though. "There are two books in the pipeline, both on the verge of securing contracts," she says. "While one diverges from the horror genre, I believe it has the potential to impact lives, and I'm enthusiastic about bringing it to life."

She continues, "Regarding my dream, it's an ever-evolving tapestry of aspirations — to experience, to create, to deliver, as a writer should. Each day, I weave new dreams and embrace them before drifting into sleep. God is great and I trust that all these dreams will unfold in due time."

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