‘Laal Kabootar’ Selected As Pakistan’s Entry For The Oscars

The crime thriller Laal Kabootar was chosen by The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee for Oscar for consideration in the ‘International Feature Film Award’ category for the 92^nd Academy Awards. An international committee will finalise the Oscar nominations on 13^th January 2020.

Produced by Harvard-graduated siblings Kamil and Hania Cheema, Laal Kabootar was Kamal Khan’s directorial debut. It stars Mansha Pasha and Ahmed Ali as they confront Karachi’s criminal justice system, navigating the trauma of target killing. These strong-headed characters explore the complex journey of confronting systems which will always be larger than them.

Sarmad Khoosat, a committee member, commented that “Laal Kabootar is an authentic representation of the new wave cinema in Pakistan. Karachi’s raw and fierce beauty has never been shown like this on screen before.”

Similarly, Hamna Zubair, another committee member, praised it pointing out that “Laal Kabootar is the most sophisticated film Pakistani cinema has produced in the last few years. Laal Kabootar contrasts the desperation of modern urbanites with the healing power of human kindness. The result is spectacular.”

The actress Mansha Pasha took to twitter to express her gratitude:

Our film @LaalKabootar has been selected as Pakistans submission to the #oscars !
Laal Kabootar is a gift that keeps on giving and truly one of its kind! To me, it stands as a landmark project within my 6 year career.
Thank u Allah and hugs to the team! ❤@kamaltkhan

— manshapasha (@manshapasha) September 13, 2019

Similarly, the Laal Kabootar team was filled with pride, taking in the achievement:

Ladies and gents some exciting news ahead:

Laal Kabootar has been selected as Pakistan's submission to the Oscars!!!

Something for us all to be proud of as a team. All the sweat and hard work was more than worth it. pic.twitter.com/EYz8aFz6Rn

— Laal Kabootar (@LaalKabootar) September 13, 2019