Now a film on India-Pak ties from Pak director who launched Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan

Almost 18 years after the release of the late Yash Chopra’s film ‘Veer Zaara,’ which resonated with audiences in both India and Pakistan by narrating a heartfelt trans-border love story, the year 2023 is poised to introduce another film depicting the story of neighboring countries. Titled ‘Aasman Bolay Ga’ (The Sky Will Speak), this film comes from a Pakistani filmmaker, Shoaib Mansoor (68), renowned for addressing social issues, particularly women’s rights, in his critically acclaimed films. Mansoor is credited with launching Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan in the Pakistani film industry.

In a phone interview with The Indian Express, Mansoor revealed that “Aasman Bolay Ga” is a “contemporary film reflecting on India-Pakistan ties” and is “based on true events.” The director expressed that the film, set for a mid-2023 release, goes beyond being a love story, offering a broader perspective on certain aspects that represent Pakistan’s viewpoint.

The first look poster of “Aasman Bolay Ga,” featuring flags of India and Pakistan in the backdrop, has already piqued the interest of peace enthusiasts and movie enthusiasts in both countries. However, due to strained relations between India and Pakistan, especially since the 2016 Uri attack, it seems highly unlikely that the film will be released in India. Mansoor, who has faced criticism from Islamic fundamentalists in Pakistan for advocating women’s voices in his films, urges Indians to watch “Aasman Bolay Ga.” He believes that even if Indians find only 5% truth in it, they should consider it as a human perspective.

Acknowledging the challenges of getting the film screened in India, Mansoor mentioned efforts to secure a spot on OTT platforms like Netflix. However, he expressed frustration at the perceived bias against Pakistani content on these platforms due to India’s dominance in the region. Mansoor indicated that if all else fails, they might release the film on YouTube for a global audience, including Indians residing in other countries.

Mansoor emphasized the adverse impact of strained relations on films, culture, and sports between the two countries. Reflecting on his past work, particularly the 2020 musical video ‘Dua,’ which addressed domestic violence and marital rape from a woman’s perspective, Mansoor highlighted the shared humanity and issues between the two nations. Despite being two separate countries, he believes that people and problems remain the same.