{"id":3822,"date":"2026-07-14T10:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T10:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/?p=3822"},"modified":"2026-07-25T07:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T07:19:47","slug":"director-umair-nasir-ali-on-nayab-and-why-pakistani-cinema-fears-its-own-stories-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/director-umair-nasir-ali-on-nayab-and-why-pakistani-cinema-fears-its-own-stories-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Director Umair Nasir Ali on Nayab and why Pakistani cinema fears its own stories"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3822\" class=\"elementor elementor-3822\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6b8a25 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e6b8a25\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1686ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b1686ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Blog<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dd22b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3dd22b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Director <span style=\"color: #96c13e\"> Umair Nasir Ali <\/span> on Nayab and why Pakistani cinema fears its own stories <\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3674488 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3674488\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Lux Style Award-winning director reflects on casting, craft, commercials and the confidence crisis shaping local films.\n<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8876cdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8876cdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By  <span style=\"color: #96c13e\">Eefa Khalid<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438f46c elementor-icon-list--layout-inline elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"438f46c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items elementor-inline-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Home<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">\/<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/news-blogs\/\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Blogs<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">\/<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><div style=\"color: #96C13E\">Director Umair Nasir Ali on Nayab and why Pakistani cinema fears its own stories<\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97afe1d e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"97afe1d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed8f610 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ed8f610\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcbfb88 hfe-post-info-layout-inline elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info-widget\" data-id=\"dcbfb88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"hfe-post-info-inline hfe-post-info-items hfe-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"hfe-post-info-item elementor-repeater-item-499eb20 hfe-post-info-inline-item\"> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"hfe-post-info-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-far-calendar-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M148 288h-40c-6.6 0-12-5.4-12-12v-40c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v40c0 6.6-5.4 12-12 12zm108-12v-40c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v40c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h40c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12zm96 0v-40c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v40c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h40c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12zm-96 96v-40c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v40c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h40c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12zm-96 0v-40c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v40c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h40c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12zm192 0v-40c0-6.6-5.4-12-12-12h-40c-6.6 0-12 5.4-12 12v40c0 6.6 5.4 12 12 12h40c6.6 0 12-5.4 12-12zm96-260v352c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V112c0-26.5 21.5-48 48-48h48V12c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v52h128V12c0-6.6 5.4-12 12-12h40c6.6 0 12 5.4 12 12v52h48c26.5 0 48 21.5 48 48zm-48 346V160H48v298c0 3.3 2.7 6 6 6h340c3.3 0 6-2.7 6-6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"hfe-post-info-text hfe-post-info__item hfe-post-info__item--type-custom\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFeb 13, 2026\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ea1335 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0ea1335\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When I arrived in Karachi in December, the city was already buzzing with anticipation for the Lux Style Awards. The very next evening delivered a moment that felt quietly significant: filmmaker Umair Nasir Ali won Best Director for his debut feature film, Nayab. The film had released earlier, but the win felt like the perfect reason to finally sit down with Ali\u2014not simply to revisit Nayab, but to talk more broadly about storytelling, commercial filmmaking, creative risk and the evolving landscape of Pakistani cinema.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7e4f30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7e4f30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An NCA graduate, Ali is widely regarded as one of Pakistan\u2019s most accomplished commercial directors. Over the years, he has delivered several memorable campaigns and also directed the official video of Pakistan\u2019s national anthem for the country\u2019s 75th anniversary\u2014a historic commission in itself. Soft-spoken and deeply reflective about his craft, Ali believes strongly in the power of narrative, whether it unfolds in 30 seconds or over two hours on the big screen.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d66d952 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d66d952\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">His Lux Style Award win for Nayab has only further cemented his transition from commercials to cinema as one of the most promising creative journeys in the industry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32384bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"32384bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Ali often describes himself as belonging to a generation shaped by stories. In his home, narratives of Partition, displacement, and the past\u2014passed down by grandparents\u2014were not distant history but lived memory. Words, poetry, and music were part of everyday life, quietly drawing him towards creative expression long before he considered filmmaking as a profession.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cac80cb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"cac80cb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7fd16f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d7fd16f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"370\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/award-image-2.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3699\" alt=\"award-image-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/award-image-2.webp 370w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/award-image-2-367x536.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 370px) 100vw, 370px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7467ed4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7467ed4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25bcd8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25bcd8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">His formal journey began at the University of Karachi, where he studied communication design and made a short film titled Kalapul during his first semester. It was a small but meaningful first step into visual storytelling. A more decisive turning point came when the National College of Arts launched Pakistan\u2019s first film and video programme. Ali joined its very first batch and still speaks about that time with genuine affection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a303d8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a303d8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Looking back, the early 2000s now feel like a formative moment for Pakistan\u2019s creative landscape. The launch of HUM TV, along with the presence of NAPA and the Kara Film Festival, created an environment where experimentation felt possible. Ali was volunteering at the time, observing closely and absorbing everything around him. Those years were not about certainty or carefully mapped careers, they were about learning how to see \u2014 a process that continues to shape his filmmaking today.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fc25a4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fc25a4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1928\" height=\"1072\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3840\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1.webp 1928w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-1024x569.webp 1024w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-768x427.webp 768w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-1536x854.webp 1536w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-640x356.webp 640w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-400x222.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-1-367x204.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1928px) 100vw, 1928px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06f22f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"06f22f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A world that keeps revealing itself<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d759c8 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d759c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Winning the award, he says, has not altered his relationship with Nayab so much as deepened it. Each time he revisits the film, the connection feels different. Nayab exists as its own world, with its own emotional rhythm and internal logic. Spending two to two and a half hours inside that world allows viewers to experience the relationships at their core: the bond between siblings, the passion, the energy. There remains a personal connection to all of it, and he still finds himself enjoying the film every time he watches it.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7571685 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7571685\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">That emotional honesty, he believes, was inseparable from casting. Some characters were locked in his mind from the very beginning, particularly Fawad Khan\u2019s Akka, Nayab\u2019s brother. While other names were discussed over time, Fawad always felt integral to the film\u2019s emotional spine and ultimately became its backbone.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cf3782 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9cf3782\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">For the titular role, Yumna Zaidi was his first choice from the outset. She instinctively felt right for the character, and her preparation only confirmed that instinct. Ali recalls how she spent hours practising with her coach, Tango, working on physicality, expressions and emotional rhythm. That effort translated directly onto the screen \u2014 in her silences, her body language and the way she carried Nayab\u2019s inner conflict. While deeply instinctive, Zaidi also brings immense discipline to her work, ensuring that nothing feels forced or performative.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80e9353 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"80e9353\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"620\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3841\" alt=\"story-2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2.webp 1200w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2-1024x529.webp 1024w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2-768x397.webp 768w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2-640x331.webp 640w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2-400x207.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-2-367x190.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-834610b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"834610b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">He speaks just as warmly about Usama Khan, who plays Zain, describing him as a classic hero archetype. \u201cAgar hero ka archetype banaya jaye, toh woh proper hero hai: screen presence, structure, personality, sab kuch [If you create a hero archetype, he\u2019s a proper hero: screen presence, structure, personality, all of it].\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4f1a48 e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f4f1a48\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b923c8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9b923c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b45404 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5b45404\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pakistan\u2019s anthem, finally given a visual language<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edc1af2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"edc1af2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Before Nayab reached audiences, one of Ali\u2019s most consequential projects arrived in a very different form: the official video of Pakistan\u2019s national anthem. It marked the first time the anthem had ever been formally visualized by the state, and with that came a responsibility few creative commissions carry.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d49d2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0d49d2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The project was approved by the government and overseen by a committee led by writer and filmmaker Javed Jabbar. Rohail Hayat recreated the anthem\u2019s audio strictly within its original composition and duration, bringing together more than 150 singers. Ali and his team were entrusted with creating the visual language\u2014a task he still speaks about with quiet gravity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f356850 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f356850\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The project was approved by the government and overseen by a committee led by writer and filmmaker Javed Jabbar. Rohail Hayat recreated the anthem\u2019s audio strictly within its original composition and duration, bringing together more than 150 singers. Ali and his team were entrusted with creating the visual language\u2014a task he still speaks about with quiet gravity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9591a82 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9591a82\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8068509 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8068509\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/anthem-team-image.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4177\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/anthem-team-image.webp 550w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/anthem-team-image-400x436.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/anthem-team-image-367x400.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b24c668 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b24c668\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-685e648 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"685e648\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A national anthem, he believes, carries a sanctity that goes beyond cinema or commerce. The challenge was not spectacle, but restraint. The aim was to create something peaceful, timeless and inclusive\u2014something that could resonate equally with people in villages and cities, across class and literacy levels.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b917eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b917eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The brief demanded a sense of permanence, an image that would not age quickly or feel bound to a particular political moment. If his name is remembered alongside Hafeez Jalandhari and AG Chagla in connection with the anthem, he says, there could be no greater honour.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-528b92a e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"528b92a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16b73f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"16b73f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f84cf18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f84cf18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3846\" alt=\"story-4\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4.webp 2000w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-1024x768.webp 1024w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-768x576.webp 768w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-1536x1152.webp 1536w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-463x348.webp 463w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-640x480.webp 640w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-400x300.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-4-367x275.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad03233 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad03233\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Pakistani cinema often plays it safe<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82d77d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"82d77d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Despite spending years mastering storytelling within the tight constraints of advertising, Ali sees no real divide between commercials and cinema. Everything, he believes, follows the same basic structure: a beginning, a middle and an end. The only difference is length. Commercials taught him precision \u2014 how to communicate clearly and economically \u2014 a discipline that carries naturally into long-form filmmaking.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15a59c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"15a59c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">When the conversation turns to Pakistani cinema at large, Ali speaks candidly about why it often feels trapped in formula. At its core, he believes, the issue is confidence. Films may begin with creative intent, but as they move forward, they become crowded with stakeholders: financiers, distributors and marketers, each guided by what they believe has worked in the past.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a03cbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5a03cbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Even films like Bol, he points out, carried visible commercial safety nets. While it was a strong blend of social commentary and mainstream storytelling, its viability was reinforced by recognisable elements such as Shoaib Mansoor\u2019s brand, Atif Aslam\u2019s presence and Mahira Khan\u2019s star power. If you deconstruct the poster, Ali notes, you can see how star power is visually emphasised, even when the narrative weight lies elsewhere.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4b9e80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f4b9e80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The fear of risk pushes filmmakers towards safe narratives. For Ali, true storytelling lies in balance. Films should intellectually engage while emotionally connecting with audiences. He points to filmmakers like Zoya Akhtar and Rajkumar Hirani as examples of that equilibrium. Not every story is meant to be commercially viable, he acknowledges, but the effort to evolve remains essential.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fffa5da elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fffa5da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3848\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6.webp 2000w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-640x427.webp 640w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-6-367x245.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-358f854 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"358f854\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Research, representation and distance<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac26002 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ac26002\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The lack of confidence he spoke of becomes most visible when cinema avoids complex systems altogether. Romance and romcoms dominate because they require very little research. Stories involving institutions such as politics, governance or legal systems demand time, patience and courage. Writers need to understand these systems deeply before attempting to portray them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87bf855 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"87bf855\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">On the question of narrative ownership, Ali believes Pakistani filmmakers have long attempted to tell their own stories that are rooted in lived realities. The real difference lies in scale. Foreign productions operate with massive budgets, technical polish and global reach, allowing their versions of reality to travel further and shape perception more powerfully.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c52a914 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c52a914\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What often gets labelled as exaggeration in Indian portrayals of Pakistan, he suggests, is sometimes simply distance. Cultural markers like shalwar kameez, adaab or janab stand out more to outsiders because they are unfamiliar. Much of what is perceived as distortion is, in fact, surface-level research shaped by online visuals rather than lived experience.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2566d34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2566d34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3849\" alt=\"story-7\" srcset=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7.webp 2000w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-1536x1025.webp 1536w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-640x427.webp 640w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-400x267.webp 400w, https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/story-7-367x245.webp 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d873c50 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d873c50\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Looking ahead<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a9ff5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9a9ff5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">As for what comes next, Ali remains measured but quietly optimistic. All three of his upcoming projects, he says, are built around a balance of purpose and entertainment. They are audience-friendly stories that still have something meaningful to say. At present, they are in advanced development, with active pre-production underway and scripts being shaped carefully in close collaboration with their producer and writer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8196ece elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8196ece\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rumours about future casting, including whispers of Durefishan Saleem, prompt a smile. Conversations have taken place, he admits, but it is still early. Casting, for him, remains a thoughtful and deliberate process.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8cdbae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a8cdbae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Walking out of the interview, I found myself thinking about how rarely conversations around Pakistani cinema return to fundamentals: story, research and emotional honesty. Ali\u2019s reflections, much like Nayab itself, resist easy formulas, suggesting instead that cinema evolves slowly\u2014through patience, depth and fearless storytelling.<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f9b106 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6f9b106\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/images.dawn.com\/news\/1194857\" target=\"_blank\">Read the Complete Article on Dawn Images Official Website  <\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f2e60 e-grid e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b1f2e60\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4304275 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4304275\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93f72e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"93f72e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related <span style=\"color: #96c13e\">Post<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db98200 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db98200\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-81af0dd elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"81af0dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/news-blogs\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"ekit-svg-icon icon-right-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M21.548 5.088c-0.436-0.451-1.162-0.451-1.613 0-0.436 0.436-0.436 1.162 0 1.596l8.177 8.177h-26.984c-0.629 0.001-1.129 0.501-1.129 1.13s0.5 1.145 1.129 1.145h26.984l-8.177 8.162c-0.436 0.451-0.436 1.178 0 1.613 0.451 0.451 1.178 0.451 1.613 0l10.113-10.113c0.451-0.436 0.451-1.162 0-1.596l-10.113-10.114z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">VIEW ALL<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a62e537 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a62e537\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f215ce8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f215ce8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-892860c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"892860c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c98076 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5c98076\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e115fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e115fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/blog-of-blueband.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-775\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-003eecf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"003eecf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f56b916 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f56b916\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ea4266 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6ea4266\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc0c95d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bc0c95d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By Lyza Rashid<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-909cc35 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"909cc35\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c07d613 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c07d613\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Feb 22, 2021<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdb73cd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fdb73cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a0529f9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a0529f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f5c05a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f5c05a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Five recent campaigns that created a buzz-Blue Band...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a539a3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a539a3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Creative Director of Manhattan Communications Sharjeel Ahmed reviews five recent local campaigns...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40fb14b elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"40fb14b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/five-recent-campaigns-that-created-a-buzz-blue-band-achai-barhnay-do\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"ekit-svg-icon icon-right-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M21.548 5.088c-0.436-0.451-1.162-0.451-1.613 0-0.436 0.436-0.436 1.162 0 1.596l8.177 8.177h-26.984c-0.629 0.001-1.129 0.501-1.129 1.13s0.5 1.145 1.129 1.145h26.984l-8.177 8.162c-0.436 0.451-0.436 1.178 0 1.613 0.451 0.451 1.178 0.451 1.613 0l10.113-10.113c0.451-0.436 0.451-1.162 0-1.596l-10.113-10.114z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">learn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b29d6ea e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b29d6ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11dfc5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"11dfc5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pakistan-photo-festival-blog.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1737\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad45195 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ad45195\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f4208a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8f4208a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-903bd45 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"903bd45\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bfffde elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4bfffde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By Lyza Rashid<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2662e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d2662e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10e3b04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"10e3b04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Feb 24, 2022<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0dc2e4a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0dc2e4a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26352fb elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"26352fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc7a16a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cc7a16a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Num Films collaborated with Pakistan Photo Festival<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3f1612 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c3f1612\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Arab News covered The Pakistan Photo Festival Fellowship Exhibition Following is the news along with the...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adcf474 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"adcf474\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/num-films-collaborated-with-pakistan-photo-festival\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"ekit-svg-icon icon-right-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M21.548 5.088c-0.436-0.451-1.162-0.451-1.613 0-0.436 0.436-0.436 1.162 0 1.596l8.177 8.177h-26.984c-0.629 0.001-1.129 0.501-1.129 1.13s0.5 1.145 1.129 1.145h26.984l-8.177 8.162c-0.436 0.451-0.436 1.178 0 1.613 0.451 0.451 1.178 0.451 1.613 0l10.113-10.113c0.451-0.436 0.451-1.162 0-1.596l-10.113-10.114z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">learn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3ec77c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b3ec77c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7747dd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7747dd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"220\" src=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/career-in-advertising.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4299\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2cadb2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a2cadb2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2a4dd9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e2a4dd9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4141c6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f4141c6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1d283e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e1d283e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By Avinash Luxman<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39a4f43 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"39a4f43\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-66474ae elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"66474ae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">July 10, 2018<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-46cf2b1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"46cf2b1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53ab09a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"53ab09a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bccd4ed elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bccd4ed\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Although creating a visually stellar TVC has its...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aec424 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9aec424\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">My first project was the launch TVC for Silk Bank. It was shot in northern Pakistan nearly 10 years ago and I worked...<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e832bc elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4e832bc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/although-creating-a-visually-stellar-tvc-has-its-own-charm-storytelling-gives-you-a-real-high\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"ekit-svg-icon icon-right-arrow\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M21.548 5.088c-0.436-0.451-1.162-0.451-1.613 0-0.436 0.436-0.436 1.162 0 1.596l8.177 8.177h-26.984c-0.629 0.001-1.129 0.501-1.129 1.13s0.5 1.145 1.129 1.145h26.984l-8.177 8.162c-0.436 0.451-0.436 1.178 0 1.613 0.451 0.451 1.178 0.451 1.613 0l10.113-10.113c0.451-0.436 0.451-1.162 0-1.596l-10.113-10.114z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">learn more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blog Director Umair Nasir Ali on Nayab and why Pakistani cinema fears its own stories The Lux Style Award-winning director reflects on casting, craft, commercials and the confidence crisis shaping local films. By Eefa Khalid Home \/ Blogs \/ Director Umair Nasir Ali on Nayab and why Pakistani cinema fears its own stories Feb 13, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3822","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blogs"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3822"}],"version-history":[{"count":76,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4840,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3822\/revisions\/4840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3822"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3822"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/2hothosting.com\/numfilms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3822"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}