The 2026 South Asian Film Season features nine films from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Pakistani film ‘Wakhri’ selected for major UK fest

KARACHI: Pakistani film Wakhri, inspired by the tragic story of social media personality Qandeel Baloch, has been selected for Channel 4 and Film4’s South Asian Film Season 2026 in the United Kingdom.

Directed by Iram Parveen Bilal, the film will be showcased alongside contemporary productions from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh as part of the UK broadcaster’s South Asian cinema programme.

Film Explores Women’s Voices and Social Media

Wakhri follows Noor Malik, a widowed schoolteacher who becomes an overnight social media sensation after openly sharing her views on life as a woman in modern-day Pakistan.

While the film draws inspiration from Qandeel Baloch’s story, its narrative goes beyond her life and explores broader issues surrounding women’s voices, social expectations, gender inequality and the challenges of online identity.

The film also examines the pressures that accompany sudden visibility and public attention in the age of social media.

Nine Films Selected for UK Film Season

The 2026 South Asian Film Season features nine films from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The programme has been curated by Indian cinema expert and longtime season consultant Nasreen Munni Kabir. The selected films cover genres including drama, thriller and social realism while addressing issues such as class, political divisions, gender inequality and racial tensions.

‘Wakhri’ Producer Calls Selection Major Recognition

Speaking about the selection, Wakhri producer Abid Merchant described its inclusion in the UK season as an important milestone for the film.

Merchant said the film’s story, although inspired by the tragic events surrounding Qandeel Baloch, carries a universal message about raising one’s voice and challenging social expectations.

He added that the film’s journey from international film festivals to a major UK broadcaster represented significant recognition for the project.

The selection gives Wakhri an opportunity to reach a wider international audience while bringing contemporary Pakistani cinema and its social themes to viewers in the United Kingdom.