Bringing books back into focus

At a time when screens dominate daily life and shrinking attention spans are becoming a growing concern, filmmaker Khalid Hasan Khan has unveiled 'Vellichor', which he describes as Pakistan's first literary thriller film designed not only to entertain but also to reignite a love for books, libraries, and reading culture.

The 40-minute film, screened at the Karachi Press Club, is dedicated to the memory of Noorunnisa, a fictional character symbolising the power of education, particularly for women and children.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, director, writer and producer Khalid Hasan Khan said the idea behind 'Vellichor' emerged from his concern over society's growing dependence on mobile phones and short-form digital content. "There is plenty of entertainment in Pakistan. We wanted to create something that develops a thought process and promotes thought leadership," he said.

Khan explained that the project follows an earlier film focused on the dangers of excessive mobile phone usage. That film was screened at literary and educational forums, including the Lahore Literary Festival, Karachi Literature Festival, Black Hole Islamabad and Beaconhouse School of Tomorrow, where it received recognition and won a short film award.

"The next question for us was: if mobile phone addiction is the problem, then what is the solution? The answer, we felt, lies in books," he said. Drawing inspiration from the word Vellichor, the nostalgic scent of old books, Khan said the film seeks to remind audiences of the emotional and intellectual value of reading.

"The fragrance of an old book can come from a library, a bookstore or even a forgotten shelf at home. We wanted to celebrate that connection."

According to Khan, the story revolves around a philanthropist, who establishes the library. After his death, his son allegedly attempts to seize the property through a fake will and convert it into a software house. Standing in his way are a dedicated librarian and an eccentric, mysterious character named Waraqa, a name derived from the Arabic word for "paper".

Khan said the name Noorunnisa was deliberately chosen to highlight the importance of women's education. "Noorunnisa means the light of a woman. The light of a woman shines brighter through knowledge. We wanted to connect the idea of women, education and libraries."

He argued that societies cannot progress unless women and children are given greater access to education and reading opportunities.

Reaching Beyond Pakistan

To expand the film's reach, the makers have added Chinese subtitles and plan to showcase it internationally. "China is the country where paper was invented, so we wanted to connect with that heritage," Khan said.

The team also plans to screen the film at universities, literary festivals and cultural institutions across Pakistan, including the Karachi Literature Festival, Lahore Literary Festival, Sindh Literature Festival and Adab Festival. "We want people to start talking about books again," he added.

Speaking at the screening, Dr Syed Saifur Rehman, who portrays a librarian in the film, stressed that libraries remain essential despite rapid digitisation. "People understand the importance of technology, but they should also understand the importance of books. Books remain our best friends."

He expressed concern that many young people spend most of their time consuming digital content rather than reading. "This short film is an attempt to show why books should be protected and why libraries must survive. Reading is still one of the most effective ways to learn, grow and prepare for the future."

Addressing the challenge of attracting Gen Z readers, Rehman acknowledged that mobile phones are now a reality of modern life. "A mobile phone is a tool of utility. A book is something much deeper. It stays with you, shapes your thinking and helps you move forward in life."

He added that parents and teachers must play a leading role in nurturing reading habits by encouraging children to keep books close, read regularly and engage with ideas beyond the digital world.

The film's poster describes 'Vellichor' as "the first literary thriller" from Pakistan. Rather than focusing solely on suspense, the project uses the thriller format to raise concerns about declining reading culture and the future of libraries.

Featuring actors Aayan Hussain, Talal Farhat, Shamim Sherazi and Dr Syed Saifur Rehman, the film was written, directed and produced by Khalid Hasan Khan.