Islamabad, August 27th, 2019 — The 8th annual South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) comes to Washington DC this September where two of Pakistan’s most celebrated films in the last year will be screened.
“Baaji,” Saqib Malik’s thriller starring Meera, Amna Ilyas and Osman Khalid Butt will play on the big screen in DC on September 21st. The festival runs from September 20 to 22 where Malik will be on hand for the screening and to answer audience questions following its premiere.
“Baaji” tells the story of Meera (played by Meera) who is trying to hold onto her fame, with many of the controversies written into the film borrowed from Meera’s real life. Ilyas plays Neha a young woman from a rough background to works her way to become Meera’s most trusted confidant and eventually a star in her own right, and Butt plays a mysterious film director Rohail.
Joining “Baaji” from Pakistan is the critical and commercial darling “Laal Kabootar.” The film directed by Kamal Khan and written by Ali Abbas Naqvi is a crime action thriller starring Ahmed Ali Akbar and Mansha Pasha as Adeel and Aaliyah who find themselves working together to solve their own traumas to the backdrop of Karachi.
Both films will be screened with subtitles for the diverse audience.
Pakistani blockbusters hit US silver screens
Pakistani blockbusters hit US silver screens
- “Baaji” and “Laal Kabootar” will be screened as part of South Asian Film Festival 2019
- The flicks will be screened with subtitles for diverse audience
Pakistan opposition ends protests, PTI forms ‘Imran Khan Release Force’ for jailed ex-PM
- Opposition alliance ends week-long protests over Khan’s health concerns
- Party announces nationwide membership drive for “peaceful” mobilization
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance on Wednesday called off nationwide sit-ins held over jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s health, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced a new mobilization campaign, including the formation of an “Imran Khan Release Force.”
Pakistan has faced months of political confrontation between Khan’s party and the government since his arrest in 2023, with repeated protests, court battles and accusations by PTI that authorities are attempting to sideline its leader from politics, allegations the government denies.
Tensions have intensified in recent weeks after concerns emerged about Khan’s health in prison. Khan’s lawyer told Pakistan’s Supreme Court last week that the ex-cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody, while a medical board said the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved. Since last week, the Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP) opposition alliance has been holding a days-long sit-in at Parliament House over Khan’s health concerns.
“All sit-ins including the one at parliament have been called off,” Hussain Ahmad Yousafzai, a spokesperson for the alliance, told Arab News.
Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi told reporters the party was preparing for an organized political movement to demand their leader’s release.
“After continuous violations of court orders, an organized public struggle has now become inevitable,” Afridi said, announcing the creation of an “Imran Khan Release Force,” with membership open to youth across the country.
Afridi said the organization would include PTI’s student, youth, women, minority and professional wings and would conduct a “completely peaceful struggle,” adding that Khan himself would dissolve the body after his release.
He said membership cards would be issued within days and supporters would take oath in Peshawar after Eid, with a formal chain of command operating under leadership designated by Khan.
“This struggle is for real freedom, supremacy of the constitution and law, democracy and free media,” Afridi said.
Imran Khan, 73, a former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office in a parliamentary vote of no confidence that he says was orchestrated by political rivals with backing from the military. Both the government and armed forces deny the allegation.
Khan has been jailed since August 2023 after convictions he and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party call politically motivated.
Broadcast outlets have been restricted from airing Khan’s name and speeches or even showing his image. Only a single court photograph has been publicly available since his imprisonment.
PTI swept to power in 2018 and retains a large support base across key provinces.
