KARACHI: The makers of a Pakistani film based on a real-life serial killer expressed regret on Tuesday they were asked to rename the production to prove they were not glorifying the central character before resubmitting it to the Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC), who did not approve its release in local cinemas last year.
“Javed Iqbal: An Untold Story of a Serial Killer” is based on the life of a murderer who was convicted of kidnapping, sexually abusing, and killing more than 100 children in Lahore in the 1990s. He was sentenced to death by a Pakistani court in March 2000 and committed suicide before the verdict could be executed.
Written and directed by Abu Aleeha, the film premiered in Karachi last year in January but was banned by the censor board before its release.
“We are resubmitting the film to the CBFC within a week,” said the writer-director while speaking to Arab News. “We submitted a written request to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Central Board of Film Censors through Eveready Pictures to watch the film again and that we were willing to make any changes if they were going to allow its release in cinemas.”
“They previewed the film again and suggested that we change its name,” he continued. “They said the title ‘Javed Iqbal’ made it sound like we were glorifying the character. Secondly, [they suggested] once the film ended, there should be a message that explained the actual purpose of making the film.”
Aleeha said his message was already clear that the purpose of the film was not to glorify the central character or his crimes. Instead, it was an attempt to make parents realize that there were people around them who looked normal but posed a threat to their children.
Poster of Yasir Hussain-starrer Javed Iqbal, now titled Kukri, ahead of resubmission to the Central Board of Film Censors. (Photo courtesy: Abu Aleeha)
The writer-director said that he had changed the film’s title to “Kukri,” which was also the name of his novel on Javed Iqbal since this was how the serial killer was known among his acquaintances.
Aleeha said the last time the production was released independently, it backfired. However, this time he was working with Pakistan’s biggest film distributor, Eveready Pictures, which also made him optimistic.
“The last time we were clearly told that even if we went to a high court or wherever, they would not allow the film’s release. However, we just want to take another chance,” he said while pointing out that the entire censor board setup had changed after the downfall of the previous administration.
Aleeha informed that the censor board in Sindh did not have an issue with the film, hoping for its release in Pakistani cinemas two weeks after Eid al-Fitr following CBFC’s approval.
Speaking to Arab News, the newly appointed censor board chairperson, Raisa Adil, said she could not comment on the film.
“I have watched the original film, but what content they are bringing this time, we’d only know once we review it,” she said.
“Unless we receive it for censor, I sit with the jury. [And] Unless it gets a result, either pass or fail, it would be too early for me to be commenting on anything.”
Kukri stars Yasir Hussain in the titular role and Ayesha Omar as a police officer. Despite the setbacks at home, the movie made it to the United Kingdom’s Asian Film Festival in May 2022, where it won the best actor and best director awards.
“It is very unfortunate to change an already complete film,” Hussain told Arab News. “Our intention was totally right. We are adding a ten-minute message to tell you that we were right and we weren’t glorifying Javed Iqbal. There is nothing to glorify about him.”
“Will his personality change by changing the name,” he asked. “The entire nation knows who the film is about.”
Hussain hoped the film gets clearance and people appreciate the hard work of the team, with or without the additional message. He also informed that Javed Iqbal 2 would also be produced once this film was released across cinemas in Pakistan.
“In the future, the film industry should support us so much that we are able to tell narratives of our nation,” said Hussain.
