Deepa Mehta Boards Pakistani Film ‘Wakhri’ as Executive Producer

Acclaimed director Deepa Mehta, known for films like “Funny Boy,” “Fire,” “Water” and “Earth,” has boarded Iram Parveen Bilal‘s Pakistan-set “Wakhri” as a presenting executive producer.

“Wakhri” is set to open the 19th edition of Tasveer Film Festival on Oct. 17 in Seattle. The film tells the story of a widowed school teacher who becomes an overnight social media sensation due to her unfiltered opinions. As she navigates her newfound influencer status, she must balance traditional norms, hidden identities, and raising her 10-year-old son.

The film is inspired by Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch who was murdered in 2016. It has already made its mark on the festival circuit, premiering at the Red Sea Film Festival and screening at SXSW, San Francisco International Film Festival, and Cleveland International Film Festival, among others.

“Wakhri” is a collaboration between Sanat Initiative, Awedacious Originals and Parveen Shah Production, with Mehta’s Deepa Mehta Films Inc. joining as a presenting production company. Produced by Abid Aziz Merchant, Apoorva Bakshi and Bilal, “Wakhri” stars Faryal Mehmood in the lead role alongside Gulshan Majeed. The supporting cast includes Bakhtawar Mazhar, Saleem Meraj, Sohail Sameer, Shees Sajjad Gul, Akbar Islam, and Tooba Siddiqui.

Mehta said: “I cannot wait for this beautiful and strong film that paints a vivid, accessible picture of the fight against oppression and patriarchy to be seen by the world.”

Bilal added: “Deepa Mehta is a creator who has been an influence on my voice. Her daring narratives have been an inspiration to witness both as an audience member and a filmmaker, and so it feels like magic for her to have felt so strongly about ‘Wakhri’ and for her to support the project.”

Bakshi and Merchant said: “Deepa has fearlessly built and championed bold feminist narratives, and we value her support in amplifying the powerful stance ‘Wakhri’ takes in a highly patriarchal world. In a world where norms often suppress dreams and gender identity is still taboo, we hope audiences witness the marginalized, seize the slightest sliver of chance, and turn it into a giant victory for themselves and society as a whole.”

The film had a seven-week theatrical run in Pakistan earlier this year.