Sarmad Sultan Khoosat’s ‘Lali’ premieres at BFI London Film Festival
Acclaimed Pakistani filmmaker Sarmad Sultan Khoosat joined actors Mamya Shajaffar, Channan Hanif and Farazeh Syed for the premiere of ‘Lali’ at the 70th BFI London Film Festival, held at London’s prestigious Institute of Contemporary Arts.
The screening marked another milestone in the international festival journey of the Pakistani feature, which has already earned recognition for breaking new ground on the global film circuit.
A wildly original pitch-black comedy infused with supernatural undertones, ‘Lali’ centres on Zeba, played by Mamya Shajaffar, a young woman labelled cursed after the unexpected deaths of her previous fiancés. Her life takes another difficult turn when she marries Sajawal, portrayed by Channan Hanif, an emotionally scarred man burdened by his own fears, insecurities and troubled past.
As the couple struggle to navigate their uneasy relationship, the narrative plunges into themes of desire, superstition, grief and paranoia. The line between the living and the dead begins to dissolve, creating a genre-defying exploration of marriage, family dynamics and societal expectations.
Set in Sahiwal and deeply rooted in Punjabi culture, ‘Lali’ blends dark comedy, domestic drama, mystery and supernatural elements. Alongside Shajaffar and Hanif, the film features a cast that includes Rasti Farooq, Farazeh Syed, Mehar Bano and Juggan Kazim.
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Pakistani film ‘Lali’ selected for BFI London Film Festival
The film is directed and co-written by Khoosat, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated contemporary filmmakers. He is best known for directing Zindagi Tamasha and for producing Saim Sadiq’s internationally acclaimed Joyland, which became the first Pakistani film to compete in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.
‘Lali’ also marks a creative reunion between Khoosat and Sadiq, who serves as the film’s editor and casting director. The screenplay has been written by Khoosat and Sundus Hashmi.
Earlier this year, ‘Lali’ made history with its world premiere in the Panorama section of the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first fully Pakistani-produced feature film to premiere at the Berlinale.
