Farhan Khan Says PTV Owns Rights to Classic Series
The copyright dispute surrounding Pakistan’s first AI-generated feature film, Aynak Wala Jinn, has intensified.
Farhan Khan, director of the new animated adaptation, has rejected allegations made by original series creator Hafeez Tahir.
Khan described the copyright claims as baseless and defamatory. He maintained that the legal rights to the popular television production belong to Pakistan Television Corporation.
Speaking to private media, Khan said Tahir’s statements represented his personal position. He claimed the allegations had no legal standing.
The director said the film was produced under an official arrangement involving the state broadcaster. However, he declined to release details of the agreement due to confidentiality conditions.
Director Points to PTV’s Official Film Promotion
Farhan Khan said PTV’s involvement could be confirmed through its promotional activities.
According to him, the broadcaster has regularly promoted the new Aynak Wala Jinn film through its television and digital platforms.
He said the official posters and promotional material also carry PTV’s logo. The branding is publicly visible on the broadcaster’s verified online platforms.
Khan argued that PTV’s active promotional campaign supported his position regarding the legal rights to the production.
He said the publicly available material could be reviewed by anyone seeking to verify the broadcaster’s involvement.
However, no detailed agreement or copyright document has been released publicly by either side.
Hafeez Tahir Accuses Filmmakers of Using Concept Without Permission
The controversy began after Hafeez Tahir accused the film’s makers of using the name and concept of his original creation without his permission.
In a video statement shared on Instagram, Tahir said he had no knowledge of the new film during its production.
He also claimed that he was not consulted or involved in the project.
The creator alleged that the filmmakers had used his work without approval. He described the move as a serious violation of his creative rights.
Tahir also objected to changes made to the appearance of several well-known characters.
He particularly criticised the redesigned look of Nastoor Jinn, one of the most recognised characters from the original television series.
The film was announced for a cinema release on July 24. The dispute has since raised wider questions about copyright ownership, creative credit and adaptation rights.
The original Aynak Wala Jinn television series aired on PTV between 1993 and 1996.
It became one of the most successful children’s programmes in Pakistan’s television history.
The fantasy series attracted a massive young audience and remained popular long after its original broadcast ended.
Its strong cultural legacy has made the current copyright dispute especially significant for viewers and entertainment industry professionals.
