Following it's world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 5, Pakistani road trip thriller film, Dukhtar is set to release nationwide in nine major cities of Pakistan; Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Sialkot on Thursday(tomorrow) September 18.

The film highlights the issue of child marriage through the setup of a road-trip thriller that explores the intense drama of a mother’s frenzied search for a new life for her daughter with the help of ex-Mujahid truck driver played by award-winning actor Mohib Mirza. The film is set against the backdrop of the surreal landscapes and roads of Hunza, Skardu, Gilgit and Kallar Kahar all the way to the urbanscape of Lahore. The films boasts a star studded cast that includes Samyia Mumtaz, Mohib Mirza, Saleha Aref, Asif Khan, Ajab Gul, Adnan Shah (Tipu), Abdullah Jan, Samina Ahmed, Zeeshan Shafa and Omair Rana.

'Dukhtar' crew and cast. – Publicity Photo

On the film’s release in Pakistan, writer, director and producer of Dukhtar, Afia Nathaniel said: “It was so amazing for us to see how well received the film was at Toronto. Audiences came to us after the screening telling us how the film touched them emotionally and took them onto a beautiful journey they will not forget. They had never experienced Pakistan in cinema on this scale and quality."

The producer of Dukhtar, Muhammad Khalid Ali said; “This is an incredibly proud and humbling moment for us all. After a long journey we finally have the opportunity to showcase the fruits of our labours to our friends, family and loved ones in Pakistan. We hope that Pakistanis will come and support the film and join us in appreciating the talent of our local cast and crew.”

In October, Dukhtar will travel to Busan Film Festival (South Korea), London Film Festival (European premiere), Films from the South (Scandinavian premiere) and Sao Paolo (Latin American premiere).