# Wakhri > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wakhri > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Wakhri.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakhri > Source revision: 1347369433 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ***Wakhri*** is a Pakistani film directed by [Iram Parveen Bilal](/source/Iram_Parveen_Bilal) who co-produced it as well, and starring [Faryal Mehmood](/source/Faryal_Mehmood) in her debut film lead as a widowed school teacher who gets viral on social media. The film is inspired by the late social media celebrity [Qandeel Baloch](/source/Qandeel_Baloch), who was murdered in 2016.[1] The film had its world premiere in [Red Sea International Film Festival](/source/Red_Sea_International_Film_Festival) in December 2023. It was later theatrically released on 5 January 2024 nationwide. ## Premise A school teacher unexpectedly goes viral after sharing her unfiltered views on social media. As her sudden fame grows, she finds herself confronting outdated societal norms and hidden identities. ## Cast - [Faryal Mehmood](/source/Faryal_Mehmood) - Saleem Mairaj[2] - Bakhtawar Mazhar[2] - [Sohail Sameer](/source/Sohail_Sameer) - Akbar Islam[2] - Shees Sajjad Gul - [Tooba Siddiqui](/source/Tooba_Siddiqui) ## Production In December 2022, it reported that Pakistani-USA director [Iram Parveen Bilal](/source/Iram_Parveen_Bilal) has wrapped the principal photography of her upcoming film which is inspired by [Qandeel Baloch](/source/Qandeel_Baloch).[3] [Faryal Mehmood](/source/Faryal_Mehmood) was selected to portray the title character who was finalised after giving an audition and it took over two months to confirm her.[4] While talking about her casting, Bilal stated about her social media trolling, which is also severely faced by the protagonist in the film.[5][6] Mehmood dedicates the film to her ex-husband [Daniyal Raheal](/source/Daniyal_Raheal).[7] The film was edited by [Aarti Bajaj](/source/Aarti_Bajaj) and the production was designed by Kanwal Khoosat.[4] The film's trailer was released on 7 November 2023.[1] The film was debuted on [Red Sea International Film Festival](/source/Red_Sea_International_Film_Festival) in December 2023.[2] On 4 December 2023, the film was cleared by [Central Board of Film Censors](/source/Central_Board_of_Film_Censors) for a nationwide release.[8] The film was distributed by Mandiviwalla Entertainment, and released on 5 January 2024 in Pakistan.[7] ## Soundtrack The *Wakhri* (Original Soundtrack) has been produced by [Abdullah Siddiqui](/source/Abdullah_Siddiqui) and it consists of four tracks.[9] ## Reception ### Critical reception In a review by *Trending In Social*,[10] Bilal's directorial brilliance was praised by the author who wrote, "Credit for the film's success also goes to director Iram Parveen Bilal, who skillfully navigates the blend of masala-style and art-house elements. Bilal's direction brings out the activist streak in the second half, adding layers to the narrative and elevating the film beyond conventional storytelling." Sara Danial of *[Dawn Images](/source/Dawn_(newspaper))* heavily praised the Mehmood's performance and wrote, "Mehmood's portrayal of Noor is nothing short of brilliance, seamlessly encapsulating the nuances of her character, resonating with authenticity and depth."[11] ## See also - [List of Pakistani films of 2024](/source/List_of_Pakistani_films_of_2024) ## References 1. Naman Ramachandran (6 November 2023). ["'Wakhri': Red Sea Film Inspired by Slain Pakistan Social Media Star Unveils First Trailer (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2023/film/asia/wakhri-film-pakistan-social-media-star-qandeel-baloch-1235780401). *Variety* 1. ["Wakhri premieres at Red Sea International Film Festival 2023"](https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/1136656). *The News International*. 10 December 2023. 1. ["Iram Parveen Bilal Wraps Pakistan Shoot on Social Media Themed Film 'One of a Kind' (EXCLUSIVE)"](https://variety.com/2022/film/global/iram-parveen-bilal-pakistan-wakhri-social-media-1235449884). *Variety*. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2024. 1. Rida Lodhi (3 January 2024). ["Gave it all for 'Wakhri': Faryal Mehmood says film is a tribute to Qandeel Baloch"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452028/g). *The Express Tribune* 1. ["No one could have played this better than Faryal Mehmood: Iram Parveen talks 'Wakhri' casting"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2449337/n). *The Express Tribune*. 8 December 2023. 1. Liz Shackleton (3 December 2023). ["'One Of A Kind' Director Iram Parveen Bilal & Actor Gulshan Majeed On Current Pakistan Wave & How Qandeel Baloch Inspired Their Film – Red Sea Studio"](https://deadline.com/video/iram-parveen-bilal-slain-social-media-star-pakistan-films) 1. ["My ex-husband is my lucky charm, says Faryal Mehmood, dedicates 'Wakhri' to Daniyal Raheal"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2452145/m). *The Express Tribune*. 4 January 2024. 1. Nick Holdsworth (4 December 2023). ["'Wakhri,' Inspired by 'Brave Spirits' Like Murdered Social Media Star Qandeel Baloch, Cleared by Censors for Release in Pakistan"](https://variety.com/2023/film/global/wakhri-one-of-a-kind-qandeel-baloch-censors-pakistan-1235820493). *Variety* 1. ["Abdullah Siddiqui brings together female singers for 'Wakhri'"](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2450828/a). *[The Express Tribune](/source/The_Express_Tribune)*. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025. 1. Fahad (5 January 2024). ["Wakhri: A Riveting Blend of Boldness and Brilliance"](https://www.trendinginsocial.com/wakhri-film-review). *Trendinginsocial.com: Latest Entertainment, Fashion, Technology, Business, Travel & Sports News*. Retrieved 30 January 2024. 1. Sara Danial (6 January 2023). ["Review: Wakhri is a bold tale of courage, struggle and societal rebellion"](https://images.dawn.com/news/1192175). *Dawn Images*. Retrieved 6 January 2023. ## External links - [Wakhri](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9885000/) at IMDb --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Wakhri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakhri) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakhri?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.