Gunjal

{{Infobox film

| name = Gunjal

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| native_name = گنجل

| director = Shoaib Sultan

| writer = Nirmal Bano
Ali Kazmi

| screenplay = Ali Kazmi

| story = Shoaib Sultan

| based_on = Murder of Iqbal Masih{{Cite web|url=https://galaxylollywood.com/2023/04/17/gunjal-iqbal-masihs-story/|title=Gunjal Ready to Tell Iqbal Masih's Harrowing Story|first=Ehsan|last=Khan|date=17 April 2023}}

| producer = Nighat Akbar Shah{{Cite web|url=https://www.easterneye.biz/nighat-shah-on-gunjal-movie/,%20https://www.easterneye.biz/nighat-shah-on-gunjal-movie/|title=Nighat Shah: 'Gunjal' brings child labour in focus - EasternEye|date=24 November 2023}}

| starring = Ahmed Ali Akbar
Resham
Amna Ilyas
Ahmad Ali Butt

| narrator =

| cinematography = Ikram Khan

| editing = Mahad Ali Sajid
Sean T Faust

| music = Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
Qamar Parvi
Mobeen Zahid
Zonaib Zahid
Xarb

| studio = Adur Productions Film

| distributor = Eveready Pictures

| released = {{Film date|2023|11|20|UMT University|2023|12|15|Pakistan|df=y}} {{efn|The film was pre launch in UMT University in Lahore only on the occasion of Children's Day but the Official Release for the film in Nationwide and Internationally is 15 December 2023}}

| runtime = 137 minutes

| country = Pakistan

| language = Urdu
Punjabi {{small|(minor)}}

| budget = TBA

| gross = PKR 2 Crore

}}

Gunjal is a 2023 Pakistani action crime thriller film inspired by the true story of a Pakistani child labour activist Iqbal Masih, who led a movement against child labour in 1990s before his tragic murder. The film is directed by Shoaib Sultan, produced by Nighat Akbar Shah and written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bolentertainment.com/gunjal-set-to-premiere-in-pakistani-theaters-on-december-15/|title=Gunjal set to premier in Pakistani theaters|website=Bol Entertainment|date=27 November 2023 |language=en}} Zonaib Zahid and Xarb are the music directors, while the background score is performed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Qamar Parvi, Mobeen Zahid and Zonaib Zahid. It features Ahmed Ali Akbar, Resham, Amna Ilyas and Ahmad Ali Butt in leading roles. The film release on 15 December 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2448150/gunjal-theatrical-release-film-on-child-activist-iqbal-masih-to-hit-cinemas-on-december-15|title='Gunjal' to hit cinemas on December 15|date=27 November 2023|website=The Express Tribune}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.umt.edu.pk/news/UMT-Hosts-Pre-Launch-Event-of-Gunjal-Film-on-the-Occasion-of-Childrens-Day.aspx|title=UMT Hosts Pre-Launch Event of Gunjal Film on the Occasion of Childrens Day - UMT|website=www.umt.edu.pk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsmakers.com.pk/en/entertainment/pakistani-film-gunjals-release-date-announced/5186/|title=Pakistani Film Gunjal's Release Date Announced|date=27 November 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/28-Aug-2023/resham-reclaims-the-silver-screen-with-latest-project-gunjal|title=Resham reclaims the silver screen with latest project 'Gunjal'|date=28 August 2023|website=Daily Pakistan Global}}

Plot

The film revolves around the traverse the journalistic odyssey of Shahbaz Bhatti, a relentless seeker of truth, as he immerses himself in the intricate investigation surrounding the lamentable demise of Iqbal Masih. Iqbal, a courageous child activist, had ardently and fearlessly battled against the pervasive practice of child labor in the tumultuous landscape of 1990s Pakistan.

Bhatti's quest unfurls against the backdrop of a society ensconced in hidden secrets, where the palpable tension of concealed truths interweaves with the complexities of intricate conspiracies. The film artfully peels back the layers, inviting the audience to navigate through the labyrinthine corridors of a world fraught with shadows and half-revealed realities.

As the story unfolds, it invites viewers into a nuanced exploration of not only the investigative process but also the socio-political milieu that shrouded Iqbal's activism. The poignant narrative delves into the depths of a society grappling with its own dichotomies, making each revelation a poignant brushstroke on the canvas of a larger, more profound story.{{Cite web|url=https://gunjalmovie.com/|title=Home - Gunjal Movie - Entangled}}{{Cite web|url=https://nexttvc.com/ahmed-ali-akbar-amna-ilyas-and-reshams-upcoming-film-explore-the-circumstances-behind-iqbal-masihs-death/|title=Ahmed Ali Akbar, Amna Ilyas, and Resham's upcoming film explore the circumstances behind Iqbal Masih's death.|first=Saleha|last=Kashif|date=15 April 2023}}

Cast

Ahmed Ali Akbar as Shahbaz Bhatti{{Cite web|url=https://thecurrent.pk/ahmed-ali-akbars-upcoming-film-gunjal-follows-investigation-of-labor-activist-iqbal-masihs-murder/|title=Ahmed Ali Akbar's upcoming film 'Gunjal' follows investigation of labor activist Iqbal Masih's murder|date=17 April 2023|website=The current pk|language=en}}
Resham as Sarwat Rehman{{Cite web|url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1192015|title=Resham is making her movie return with Shoaib Sultan's newest project, Gunjal, alongside Ahmed Ali Akbar|first=Irfan Ul|last=Haq|date=28 August 2023|website=Dawn Images|language=en}}
Amna Ilyas as Mehar
Syed Muhammad Ali as Irfan Masih
Ahmad Ali Butt as Salman Habib
Razia Malik as Maryam Bibi
Arham Khan as Iqbal
Omair Rana as Daily Payam Editor
Samiya Mumtaz as Najma
Ali Aftab Saeed as Mazhar
Fahad Hashmi as Hawaldar
Ahsen Murad as Arshad
Habiba Sufyan as Saba
Munir Khan as Ejaz Ullah
Syed Tanveer Hussain as Nadeem
Sardar Nabeel as Pervaiz
Ebtisam Mustafa as Luqman

Production

= Development and Filming =

In April 2023, it was reported that Ahmed Ali Akbar working on an upcoming project which is based on the Social issues of Children's and which is produced by Nighat Akbar Shah. The primary film shooting took place in Lahore and Rural areas of Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2412145/ahmed-ali-akbar-amna-ilyas-and-reshams-next-film-investigates-iqbal-masihs-murder|title=Ahmed Ali Akbar's next film investigates Iqbal Masih's murder|date=15 April 2023|website=The Express Tribune}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/child-labor-activist-amp-filmmaker-nighat-akbar-shah-recognized-in-upcoming-film-805523763.html|title=Child Labor Activist & Filmmaker Nighat Akbar Shah Recognized in Upcoming Film|website=PRWeb}}

= Release =

Trailer for the film released on 30 September 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/15-Apr-2023/shoaib-sultan-s-gunjal-first-look-is-out-now|title=First look of Shoaib Sultan's 'Gunjal' is out now!|date=15 April 2023|website=Daily Pakistan Global}} The film is set to release on 15 December 2023 in Nationwide and Internationally. The film also made a pre-launch event on 20 November 2023 at UMT University, Lahore on the occasion of Children's Day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1130965-pre-launching-of-film-gunjal|title=Pre-launching of film 'Gunjal'|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}{{Cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/27-Nov-2023/gunjal-to-hit-theaters-december-15|title=Pakistani film 'Gunjal' to hit theaters on December 15|date=27 November 2023|website=Daily Pakistan Global}}{{Cite web|url=https://thecurrent.pk/three-reasons-why-were-excited-to-watch-upcoming-film-gunjal/|title=Three reasons why we're excited to watch upcoming film 'Gunjal'|date=2 October 2023|website=The current pk|language=en}}

Notes

References

External links

{{IMDb title|tt21315862}}
[https://gunjalmovie.com/ Gunjal Official website]

Category:Pakistani action films

Category:2020s Urdu-language films

Category:Urdu-language Pakistani films

Category:2023 films