Gunjal

Gunjal
گنجل
Directed by	Shoaib Sultan
Written by	Nirmal Bano Ali Kazmi
Screenplay by	Ali Kazmi
Story by	Shoaib Sultan
Based on	Murder of Iqbal Masih [1]
Produced by	Nighat Akbar Shah [2]
Starring	Ahmed Ali Akbar Resham Amna Ilyas Ahmad Ali Butt
Cinematography	Ikram Khan
Edited by	Mahad Ali Sajid Sean T Faust
Music by	Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Qamar Parvi Mobeen Zahid Zonaib Zahid Xarb
Production company	Adur Productions Film
Distributed by	Eveready Pictures
Release dates	20 November 2023 (2023-11-20)(UMT University) 15 December 2023 (2023-12-15)(Pakistan) [lower-alpha 1]
Running time	137 minutes
Country	Pakistan
Languages	Urdu Punjabi (minor)
Budget	TBA
Box office	PKR 2 Crore

Gunjal is a 2023 Pakistani action crime thriller film inspired by the true story of a Pakistani child labour activist Iqbal Masih, who led a movement against child labour in 1990s before his tragic murder. The film is directed by Shoaib Sultan, produced by Nighat Akbar Shah and written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi. ^[3] Zonaib Zahid and Xarb are the music directors, while the background score is performed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Qamar Parvi, Mobeen Zahid and Zonaib Zahid. It features Ahmed Ali Akbar, Resham, Amna Ilyas and Ahmad Ali Butt in leading roles. The film release on 15 December 2023. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Plot

The film revolves around the traverse the journalistic odyssey of Shahbaz Bhatti, a relentless seeker of truth, as he immerses himself in the intricate investigation surrounding the lamentable demise of Iqbal Masih. Iqbal, a courageous child activist, had ardently and fearlessly battled against the pervasive practice of child labor in the tumultuous landscape of 1990s Pakistan.

Bhatti's quest unfurls against the backdrop of a society ensconced in hidden secrets, where the palpable tension of concealed truths interweaves with the complexities of intricate conspiracies. The film artfully peels back the layers, inviting the audience to navigate through the labyrinthine corridors of a world fraught with shadows and half-revealed realities.

As the story unfolds, it invites viewers into a nuanced exploration of not only the investigative process but also the socio-political milieu that shrouded Iqbal's activism. The poignant narrative delves into the depths of a society grappling with its own dichotomies, making each revelation a poignant brushstroke on the canvas of a larger, more profound story. ^{[8] [9]}

Cast

• Ahmed Ali Akbar as Shahbaz Bhatti ^[10]
• Resham as Sarwat Rehman ^[11]
• Amna Ilyas as Mehar
• Syed Muhammad Ali as Irfan Masih
• Ahmad Ali Butt as Salman Habib
• Razia Malik as Maryam Bibi
• Arham Khan as Iqbal
• Omair Rana as Daily Payam Editor
• Samiya Mumtaz as Najma
• Ali Aftab Saeed as Mazhar
• Fahad Hashmi as Hawaldar
• Ahsen Murad as Arshad
• Habiba Sufyan as Saba
• Munir Khan as Ejaz Ullah
• Syed Tanveer Hussain as Nadeem
• Sardar Nabeel as Pervaiz
• Ebtisam Mustafa as Luqman

Production

Development and Filming

In April 2023, it was reported that Ahmed Ali Akbar working on an upcoming project which is based on the Social issues of Children's and which is produced by Nighat Akbar Shah. The primary film shooting took place in Lahore and Rural areas of Pakistan. ^{[12] [13]}

Release

Trailer for the film released on 30 September 2023. ^[14] The film is set to release on 15 December 2023 in Nationwide and Internationally. The film also made a pre-launch event on 20 November 2023 at UMT University, Lahore on the occasion of Children's Day. ^{[15] [16] [17]}

See also

• List of Pakistani films of 2023
• List of Pakistani films of 2024

Notes

1. The film was pre launch in UMT University in Lahore only on the occasion of Children's Day but the Official Release for the film in Nationwide and Internationally is 15 December 2023

References

1. Khan, Ehsan (17 April 2023). "Gunjal Ready to Tell Iqbal Masih's Harrowing Story".
2. "Nighat Shah: 'Gunjal' brings child labour in focus - EasternEye". 24 November 2023.
3. "Gunjal set to premier in Pakistani theaters". Bol Entertainment. 27 November 2023.
4. "'Gunjal' to hit cinemas on December 15". The Express Tribune. 27 November 2023.
5. "UMT Hosts Pre-Launch Event of Gunjal Film on the Occasion of Childrens Day - UMT". www.umt.edu.pk.
6. "Pakistani Film Gunjal's Release Date Announced". 27 November 2023.
7. "Resham reclaims the silver screen with latest project 'Gunjal'". Daily Pakistan Global. 28 August 2023.
8. "Home - Gunjal Movie - Entangled".
9. Kashif, Saleha (15 April 2023). "Ahmed Ali Akbar, Amna Ilyas, and Resham's upcoming film explore the circumstances behind Iqbal Masih's death".
10. "Ahmed Ali Akbar's upcoming film 'Gunjal' follows investigation of labor activist Iqbal Masih's murder". The current pk. 17 April 2023.
11. Haq, Irfan Ul (28 August 2023). "Resham is making her movie return with Shoaib Sultan's newest project, Gunjal, alongside Ahmed Ali Akbar". Dawn Images.
12. "Ahmed Ali Akbar's next film investigates Iqbal Masih's murder". The Express Tribune. 15 April 2023.
13. "Child Labor Activist & Filmmaker Nighat Akbar Shah Recognized in Upcoming Film". www.prweb.com.
14. "First look of Shoaib Sultan's 'Gunjal' is out now!". Daily Pakistan Global. 15 April 2023.
15. "Pre-launching of film 'Gunjal'". www.thenews.com.pk.
16. "Pakistani film 'Gunjal' to hit theaters on December 15". Daily Pakistan Global. 27 November 2023.
17. "Three reasons why we're excited to watch upcoming film 'Gunjal'". The current pk. 2 October 2023.

External links

• Gunjal at IMDb
• Gunjal Official website