Zunn: Showgirls of Pakistan

Khan's documentary follows the story of three showgirls Reema, Afreen and Nadia who are controlled by violent mafia

A new upcoming feature length documentary on Punjabi dancers, "Zunn: Showgirls of Pakistan" portrays how dancing girls in Punjab are managed and controlled by violent mobsters, corrupt pimps and boyfriends.

Saad Khan's new documentary follows the story of three of these showgirls Reema, Afreen and Nadia who are controlled by the violent mafia and have to negotiate their positions within the industry.

Reema is a transwoman who is trying to retire, Afreen, a teenager who dreams of escaping Pakistan and Nadia is a mentally disabled dancer who lives with her promoter, Patrick D McDermott said in his review of the documentary.

The documentary also follows their offstage lives and how they are marginalised in a patriarchal society. Khan's documentary also unveils the curtain on a concept which is frowned upon in society and in contrast these women are profited from and are exported to the UAE.

Khan's earlier documentary- Chuppan Chupai- gained momentum internationally as it uncovered the closeted world of Pakistan's gay and transgender community.

As the documentary goes into post-production, the documentary makers have asked for contributions on a crowd funded portal to take the film to a big screen.

"Your contribution helps finish off a year of filming. It will give voice to women who are otherwise ignored. We hope that eventually our film will inspire those in power to ensure that showgirls in Pakistan are protected by the law," they state on their fund-raising page.

The preview of the new feature has been given the soundtrack of a Madam Noor Jahan's classic song which was covered by a contemporary Pakistani-American band- The Kominas.