By Talal Farhat
KARACHI: Karachi is set to make cinematic history as the country’s first fully AI-generated feature film, The Next Salahuddin, premieres on 19 December at a local cinema. The groundbreaking 50-minute production has been written and directed by Karachi-based AI filmmaker Farhan Siddiqui, with key production support from Rafeeha Rahman and Haseem Jafri.
Speaking to this correspondent, the filmmakers said the project not only marks a major technological milestone for Pakistan’s film industry but also pays tribute to the struggle of the oppressed people of Gaza and Palestine. They noted that the film ushers Pakistani cinema into a new era of innovation driven by modern artificial intelligence tools.
The film will be released in four languages, with subtitles available in Arabic, Bengali, Urdu and English. “We wanted to ensure that the story reaches as many people as possible, particularly audiences in the Arab world, South Asia, and elsewhere,” they said, adding that the decision to release the film internationally reflects a desire to strengthen global solidarity with Palestine.
Produced after a year of continuous work using cutting-edge AI technology, The Next Salahuddin is believed to be the first project of its kind in Pakistan to achieve this level of technical refinement. The film’s central theme revolves around “Resistance, Hope, and Leadership”.
The story follows a young Palestinian boy, Yousuf, who emerges as a symbol of courage, honour, and leadership amid war, bombardment, and oppression. The narrative draws inspiration from the legacy of Salahuddin Ayyubi and attempts to portray the current situation in Gaza with emotional depth and cinematic scale, highlighting values of justice, unity, humanity, and freedom.
Farhan Siddiqui emphasised that the film is more than a creative venture. “This is not just a project; it is a purpose,” he said. “We want to carry the voices of Gaza’s children and the oppressed people of Palestine to the world.”
Prior to its Pakistani premiere, the film was screened in Malaysia, where it received an enthusiastic response from students, film circles, and supporters of Palestine. It is currently being shown at selected Malaysian cinemas, marking the first time a Pakistani AI film has secured formal international screenings—an achievement widely regarded as a significant milestone for the country’s film industry.
The filmmakers hope that The Next Salahuddin will contribute to strengthening the global voice for Palestine, inspire Pakistani youth to explore AI-assisted filmmaking, and showcase Pakistan’s creative potential on the world stage. Siddiqui is among a small group of Pakistani filmmakers pioneering the use of artificial intelligence to produce cinema that meets contemporary global standards.
As Pakistan enters this new chapter in film innovation, The Next Salahuddin stands as a testament to the country’s emerging talent—young people ready to push boundaries, embrace technology, and tell stories that resonate across borders.
