Pakistani director and actor Ashir Azeem says his politically charged action drama Maalik will bolster unity and harmony among Pakistanis. Azeem and the film’s cast will screen the film in the UAE on October 11.
“The basic concept of the film is democracy and ownership. We have shown Sikhs, Christians and Muslims, all living together in harmony in Pakistan. Maalik shows Pakistan as a multicultural and multi-religious country ... But there are politicians who try to build vote banks on the basis of religion and language and ethnicity ... Many will relate to my film,” said Azeem in an phone interview before the movie premiere.
Farhan Ally Agha, Sajid Hassan, Hassan Niazi and Adnan Shah will join him for the invites-only screening at City Centre Deira on Tuesday evening.
The film, which explores the theme of corruption, was considered sensitive, and three weeks after its release in Pakistan, the federal government banned the film nationwide through a notification that failed to mention the reasons for the ban. The filmmaker contested the ban and got it lifted.
“My film was unfairly criticised. It was a long court battle... The ban on my film wasn’t justified, but [it is] back in the cinemas [in Pakistan] now,” said Azeem, who has directed, written and acted in Maalik.
On September 6, the Sindh High Court declared the federal government’s ban illegal and cleared it to be screened again.
Maalik is due to release in the UAE cinemas on Thursday.
Read the full interview in tabloid! soon.
