Pakistani cinema continues to carve out its space in the global OTT landscape, and filmmaker Abu Aleeha is already sensing it’s importance and being a Pakistani filmmaker is actively pursuing international audiences via streaming platforms, where films are consumed and appreciated post-release. Abu Aleeha’s perspective on filmmaking is clear:
“My cinema isn’t low budget; it’s your cinema that’s over budget.”
Abu Aleeha
Shot Cut & Super Punjabi Drive Pakistani Cinema to Indian OTTs:
In the evolving digital age, OTT platforms have become crucial for filmmakers to reach larger, more diverse audiences. Indian OTT platforms, in particular, have seen remarkable growth, offering a global stage for regional content. Last year, Chaupal, a platform originally tailored to Punjabi cinema, broke new ground for Pakistani Cinemas as well by digitally releasing the first Pakistani Punjabi film, Shot Cut. Written and Directed by Abu Aleeha, the film starred notable names like Gohar Rasheed, Naseem Vicky, Sana, and Juggan Kazmi, making the Indian and global audience realize how the Regional Punjabi Cinema in Pakistan looks like.
Now, a new player in the OTT market, Kable One, is poised to rival Chaupal. With its focus on Punjabi Cinema and a promise to deliver content globally, Kable One is already making waves. Abu Aleeha’s Super Punjabi, released last year, has been selected as one of the inaugural Pakistani films to stream on the platform.
This milestone indicates a growing interest in Pakistani Punjabi films and shows how filmmakers like Abu Aleeha are participating in efforts to bridge cultural and cinematic gaps. The inclusion of his films (Shot Cut on Chaupal and Super Punjabi on Kable One) on emerging OTT platforms suggests an opportunity for Pakistani stories to connect with international audiences.
The Financial Strength of Low-Budget Filmmaking:
A noteworthy aspect of these two OTT releases is that the producers of Shot Cut and Super Punjabi earned amounts equivalent to the films’ budgets through distribution deals with Chaupal and Kable One. This highlights the viability of creating impactful stories on modest budgets.
The success of these films in terms of recovering its cost and making money through OTT’s demonstrates that a good film doesn’t need a high production cost to reach audiences or gain attention from major platforms. This approach by Aleeha offers a practical model for sustainable filmmaking, particularly for those who may feel limited by budget constraints.
By prioritizing storytelling and maintaining cost efficiency, this strategy sets an example that could inspire other Pakistani filmmakers to adopt similar methods, paving the way for more local stories to reach global audiences.
Taxali Gate’s OTT Release:
After Shot Cut and Super Punjabi, Taxali Gate will be Abu Aleeha’s third Punjabi film to receive a digital release on the online streaming platform and will soon be available on Kable One. The film stars an ensemble cast including Ayesha Omar, Yasir Hussain, Mehar Bano, Babar Ali, Nayyer Ejaz, Omer Aalam, Sheheryar Cheema, and others in prominent roles.
Taxali Gate has proven to be the most successful in his career, the film got critical acclaim and grossed over 5 Crores (according to official figures) at the box office. It remains the only film in 2024 to recover its budget, while every other film this year has failed to break even. This success further solidifies Abu Aleeha’s approach to filmmaking, demonstrating the financial viability of his low-budget, high-impact cinema in the competitive film industry.
Abu Aleeha Looks Set for a Thriving 2025:
Following a decent release of Taxali Gate in 2024, Abu Aleeha is poised for an even bigger 2025 with the release of two big-budget Punjabi films, Mango Jatt and Seylum. Mango Jatt, starring Faysal Quraishi, Hareem Farooq, and Shamoon Abbasi in lead roles, has already wrapped up shooting, and its official teaser is set to be released this month.
Meanwhile, Seylum, which is currently in production, is expected to make a grand release in 2025. The film features Muneeb Butt, Amna Ilyas, Adnan Ahmed Butt, and Azerbaijani superstar Oksana Rasul in the lead roles.
In addition to Mango Jatt and Seylum, Aleeha has two more big-budget Punjabi films lined up for 2025, which he will also direct. With these major projects on his slate, Aleeha is establishing himself in the Punjabi cinema industry.
