Wakhri' Qandeel Baloch-inspired film :The Red Sea Film Festival 2023 has commenced in Jeddah, with prominent figures from the global film industry in attendance, including the creators and cast of 'Wakhri,' a film inspired by the life of Pakistan's late social media sensation, Qandeel Baloch.
Kaleem Aftab, the Head of International Programming at the Red Sea Film Fest, shed light on the festival's selection process, expressing anticipation for the impact of the film.
He stated, "I think people will be very struck by the new film by Pakistani-US director Iram Bilal, Wakhri: One of a Kind, which will have its world premiere at the fest."
Wakhri' Qandeel Baloch-inspired film :The movie tells the story of a widowed school teacher in Pakistan who becomes an overnight viral sensation after expressing unfiltered opinions on social media.
Aftab highlighted the film's potential to reshape the narrative surrounding a significant incident in Pakistan. He also pointed out another Pakistani entry, Zarrar Kahn's unconventional horror film "In Flames," which serves as Pakistan's international Oscar contender and adds a unique twist to the genre.
'Wakhri' draws inspiration from the life of Qandeel Baloch, a controversial social media star whose life took a tragic turn when she was brutally murdered by her brother.
Wakhri' Qandeel Baloch-inspired film :Director Iram Bilal explained that the story was triggered by Baloch's resilient spirit and the societal challenges faced by women expressing themselves in a public space. 
Bilal emphasized the film's mission to offer a second chance to save the protagonist, challenging the flawed understanding of 'honour' prevalent in the culture.
Wakhri' Qandeel Baloch-inspired film :The director expressed a commitment to crafting a narrative that doesn't glorify honor killings but provides hope, especially for women inspired by Baloch's bravery.
With a star-studded cast including Faryal Mehmood, Gulshan Majeed, Saleem Mairaj, Sohail Sameer, and Shees Sajjad Gul, 'Wakhri' not only showcases the talents of renowned actors but also features musical contributions from Ali Sethi, Meesha Shafi, Eva B, Natasha Noorani, and others.
Wakhri' Qandeel Baloch-inspired film :Special appearances by Mathira, Khalid Malik, and Waseem Hassan Sheikh add further intrigue to this cinematic exploration of hate crimes and the impact of social media wildfires.