KARACHI: The trailer of an action biopic on the life of celebrated Karachi policeman Chaudhry Aslam who was assassinated in 2014 by the Taliban, was released on Saturday in the seaside city where he served for most of his career.
‘Chaudhry- The Martyr’ is a thriller and captures the heroic encounters of the police superintendent played by his close friend and colleague, Tariq Islam.
"The true life of Chaudhry Aslam has been depicted in the film-- he who stood like a rock in front of every actor of violence that existed in Karachi during his long police career," Islam told Arab News.
“I worked for around 15 years with Chaudhry and not only do we look alike, but I also share his attitude and gestures to a great extent. This was the reason the film’s producers signed me up for the leading role,” Islam continued.
Chaudhry Aslam joined Sindh Police in 1984 and served as station head in several police stations across southern Sindh and southwestern Balochistan provinces. The officer became known for his tough police encounters during military operations against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi in the 90’s, and during his career arrested gang-war criminals, militants and target killers. He received widespread fame after he was appointed head of the Lyari Task Force in 2005 and ordered to end gang wars in Lyari Town.
Aslam arrested and killed several Taliban militants over the years which invited the wrath of the militant group, and managed to survive a bomb attack on his home in Karachi in 2011 where eight people were killed. 
“I will bury the attackers in the same place here. I will not step back,” he said after the attack while talking to media, and directly addressed the Taliban.
Although his actions against Taliban earned him widespread recognition, there were also allegations of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations during his career.
The murder of Rasool Bux Brohi in 2006, who Aslam’s team had claimed was notorious dacoit Mashooq Brohi, landed the officer in jail. He was released on bail after spending 16 months in prison.
But Islam said the film addressed the allegations of Aslam’s fake encounters, “which were already cleared by the court during his lifetime.”
“The courts and investigation had declared all his encounters real and authentic when he was alive,” Islam added.
‘Chaudhry-- The Martyr’ which is currently in production has no set release date yet. It has been directed by Sajjad Azim and features a prominent cast including Arbaz Khan, Sana Fakhar, Jia Ali, Shamoon Abbasi, Yasir Hussain and Adnan Shah.