Malala’s biopic ‘Gul Makai’ slated for April 2015 release

Published October 15, 2014
Indian film producer for the forthcoming film 'Gul Makai', Vijay Jaju, speaks during a promotional event in Ahmedabad on October 14, 2014. - Photo by AFP
Indian film producer for the forthcoming film 'Gul Makai', Vijay Jaju, speaks during a promotional event in Ahmedabad on October 14, 2014. - Photo by AFP

An Indian real estate developer has ventured on a project to produce a biographical film on Pakistani Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousufzai.

As reported by Times of India, 37 year old realtor Vijay Jaju was so stirred by Malala’s awe-inspiring speech at United Nations last year that he decided to make a film titled on her pseudonym, Gul Makai.

“I was totally awed by Malala’s bravery during her first public speech at the United Nations in July 2013. If a 12-year-old girl can fight the Taliban without a weapon, then her inspiring story needs to be told," Jaju said.

He also added that Malala is “positive” about the film which will be 180 minutes long.

Speaking about the cast, he said that a Bengali actor will be playing the role of Malala followed by Mukesh Rishi, veteran actor Om Puri as General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and Divya Dutta as her mother. Jaju is also in talks with actor Atul Kulkarni to play Malala’s father.

Directed by Amjad Khan, more than half of the biopic has been shot in Gandhiham and the remaining part will be shot in northern India next month. The film is slated to be released in April 2015.

Gul Makai will be the first ever film project by Jaju.

He said: “By bringing a sensitive topic to the celluloid, we wish to contribute to the [Indian] film industry through a meaningful movie. The film aims to capture Malala's spirit, her fight, and also the reality and suffering of the people of Pakistan. It will feature Malala's life story—her family, friends and education right up to her getting the Nobel Prize."

Jaju further said that the profit from the film will either be donated to the Malala Fund or spent in any way Malala pleases to.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.