Abu Aleeha


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Abu Aleeha is a Pakistani film director and writer.[1] Also known as Ali Sajjad Shah,[1] he started his career as a journalist.[2] He made his directorial debut with the 2019 film, Kataksha, which he also wrote. He later wrote and directed Tevar, Udham Patakh,[3] Kukri, Super Punjabi, Once Upon a Time in Karachi, Shot Cut, Sheenogai and Daadal.[4][5] His latest film, Taxali Gate was released countrywide on 16 February 2024.[6][7]

Abu Aleeha

BornJuly 31, 1981
Occupations
  • film director
  • writer
Years active2019-present

He started his career as an investigative journalist for Daily Pakistan. After a decade working in Islamabad and Rawalpindi in different Urdu and English newspaper companies, he started working as a content writer and eventually turned filmmaker.[8]

In 2022, the director announced that he was working on Javed Iqbal 2, a planned sequel to Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer[2] but the project came to a halt later that year.[9]

In 2021 Abu Aleeha criticized nepotism in the film industry of his country, [10] which explains why he may have been called as a "self-professed rebel against the system”.[1] Shafiq Ul Hasan Siddiqui, of The Express Tribune, describes him as follows: "Consistently delivering experimental films on a shoestring budget, Ali Sajjad Shah, also known as Abu Aleeha, has carved a niche for himself in the Pakistani film industry. With a list of 12 movies since 2019, including titles like Tevar, Kataksha, Once Upon a Time in Karachi, Shotcut, and Javed Iqbal, Shah's prowess in film making is evident, averaging two releases annually. Despite varying box office results, Shah's persistence underscores a crucial message: filmmaking in Pakistan is feasible with resourcefulness and a decent budget."[5]

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Director Screenwriter Notes
2019 Kataksha Yes Yes Debut as film director[11]
Tevar Yes Yes [11]
2022 Udham Patakh Yes Yes [8]
2023 Kukri Yes Yes [12]
Daadal Yes Yes [13]
2024 Taxali Gate Yes Yes [14]
Mango Jatt † Yes Yes [15]
  1. ^ a b c Jawaid, Mohammad Kamran (12 September 2021). "SPOTLIGHT: 'MY PREVIOUS SIX FILMS WERE TO GET ME READY FOR THIS FILM' — ABU ALEEHA, DIRECTOR". Dawn News. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ a b Lodhi, Rida (13 October 2022). "Yasir Hussain, Abu Aleeha announce 'Javed Iqbal' sequel". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  3. ^ "Horror-comedy 'Udham Patakh' set for December release". The Express Tribune. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  4. ^ Kamran Jawaid, Mohammad (5 September 2021). "SPOTLIGHT: PAKISTAN'S CINEMA, RIP?". Dawn. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Life under the red light | The Express Tribune". tribune.com.pk. 17 March 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  6. ^ Style, BR Life & (4 May 2023). "Lahore, crime and suspense: filming wraps on Ayesha Omar's 'Taxali'". Business Recorder. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  7. ^ "'Taxali Gate' trailer unveils gritty take on justice and consent". The Express Tribune. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b Jawaid, Mohammad Kamran (13 January 2022). "Filmmaker Abu Aleeha is gearing up for his newest project — a situational comedy". Images. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Abu Aleeha upset over halting release of Javed Iqbal". The Express Tribune. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Abu Aleeha bashes TV channels for promoting nepotism". Dunya News. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Iqra Aziz and Yasir Hussain to reunite with 'Half Fry'". gulfnews.com. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Film Javed Iqbal is being re-submitted to the censor board with a new name and a new cut". Images. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Sonya Hussyn lifts the curtain on 'Daadal'". The Express Tribune. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Gritty with a punch: 'Taxali Gate' teaser does not hold back". The Express Tribune. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Hareem to make big screen comeback with Faysal in 'Mango Jatt'". The Express Tribune. 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.