Indian director Alankrita Shrivastava is preparing to direct a film on the model and social media star Qandeel Baloch, who was killed in the name of honour six years ago.
Producers Vikas Sharma of ‘Toba Tek Singh' and Sunny Khanna of ‘Why Cheat India’ will collaborate on the future film. The filmmaker and producers have bought the rights to Pakistani journalist Sanam Maher's book ‘The Sensational Life and Death of Qandeel Baloch’, according to Variety.
When Baloch, whose actual name is Fouzia Azeem, was killed in 2016, Shrivastava, who is also renowned for her Netflix series ‘Bombay Begums’, told Variety that she was "shaken up."
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"It was a heinous honour killing. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I started watching Qandeel’s videos repeatedly, and I was fascinated. She was so charming and full of life. A poor girl from a small village worked her way up to being provocatively famous. She was just 26 when she was killed. And ironically, it’s only after her death that she has been reclaimed as a feminist" she stated.
Shrivastava also said that she sees this film “as an ode to the courageous spirit of Qandeel Baloch" and that it will depict her climb to prominence. "I hope to piece together the memories of the rebellious, funny and vulnerable young girl, whose life was cut short because she shimmered too bright. The film will celebrate her spunk and lust for life by telling her story without judgement, hopefully, the way she would have liked to tell it "the filmmaker said
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Sharma, who also produced ‘Qarib Qarib Singlle’, told the newspaper that Baloch's narrative needed to be conveyed "by a sensitive director who is enthusiastic about women's stories," which Shrivastava is. "It's not only because she's a multi-award-winning feminist director; it's also because she genuinely cares about her characters. She narrates their experiences with truth and affection." He remarked.
"Qandeel Baloch's narrative is vital and current," Khanna says since women are still at risk today when they "dare to express their individuality and challenge the status quo." According to the Indian film producer, the world needs to see stories like these.
More information, such as the cast and release date, has yet to be announced.
Baloch was murdered by her own brother in July 2016, and the Lahore High Court acquitted him. She was 26 years old when she became renowned for her posts, which many in the country found provocative and immoral.
