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7 Pakistani films that need to be featured on Netflix right now

7 Pakistani films that need to be featured on Netflix right now

Netflix is in Pakistan, yay! All that's missing on the platform is more content from Pakistan
07 Jan, 2016

Netflix has come to Pakistan, and rejoicing appears to be the knee-jerk reaction to its arrival.

Its affordable packages (costs vary between $7.99-$11.99) mean that we can now legally stream and watch TV shows and movies that we've been torrenting with a fury (provided we have a smart TV, gaming console, BluRay device or similar).

But what would make Netflix really valuable in Pakistan... is more Pakistani content, like all the films and documentaries we couldn't catch in cinemas or festival screenings, for instance.

At present, Na Maloom Afraad and Zinda Bhaag are available on Netflix. But there are so many other films that Netflix could stream, like...

Anima State

A masked man is on a killing spree, and no one cares until he offers to end his life on live TV. London-based filmmaker Hammad Khan skewers life and society in modern-day Pakistan in Anima State, which never made it to cinema screens (no surprises there) but became a cult favourite. It continues to travel the film festival circuit all over the world. At present, if you've missed its screening at T2F last year, then you'll just have to twiddle your thumbs till the next film festival screening.

Slackistan

Hammed Khan's earlier film Slackistan is considered lighter fare. Following the lives of 20-somethings in Islamabad, the film's mention of several unmentionables (from alcohol to lesbianism) blocked its route to the box office. Also a cult favourite, it could enjoy a greater audience in Pakistan.

Zibahkhana

Teenagers stranded in the rural outskirts of Lahore/Islamabad become the target of the gory designs of Omar Ali Khan's burka-donning, flail-whirling killer in Zibahkhana. This Texas Chainsaw Massacre-inspired slasher flick is available on DVD, but its presence on Netflix means your Saturday night horror movie plans will be sorted more easily.

Shoaib Mansoor

While we wait for his mystery project, we could refresh our memory of Shoaib Mansoor's earlier gems, Khuda Ke Liye and Bol. Happily.

Waar

If you haven't seen Waar, the first of the unending series of testosterone-fuelled action flicks coming from Pakistan, you're missing a big part of the conversation.

2015's big hits

Producers would be wrong to think that everyone has seen the recent blockbusters from Pakistan. All the 2015 hits we'd like to obsessive-compulsively watch, from Manto and Moor to Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Karachi Se Lahore should be available on Netflix soon, we say! DVD is a dying medium, so it makes greater sense for these films to be accessible on Netflix for viewers who want to see it from the comfort of their home.

For documentary buffs

While Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy picks up accolade after accolade for her documentary work, few people in Pakistan have seen her work. This is true of a lot of documentary work, from Beyond The Heights (that charts Samina Baig's challenging mountaineering journey) to Among The Believers (that goes behind the doors of Islamabad's Lal Masjid).

Comments

Farrukh Kiani Jan 07, 2016 03:57pm
Slackistan was one heck of a movie!
Recommend
d.Goel Jan 07, 2016 04:01pm
Pakistani Heroines are just breathtaking. their cinematic talents match their very allusive haunting figures and arching Kohl eyes. Many Indian buffs would like to see their thespian achievements D. Goel
Recommend
irfan Jan 07, 2016 04:21pm
oh come on guys Netflix is not free....you have to make payment to get access.....why should one waste his or her money on such stuff.......
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Zeeshan Jan 07, 2016 05:10pm
Slackistan? you gotta be kidding me! This movie should've been deleted from everywhere.
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Aamir Jan 07, 2016 05:28pm
Only Josh and Zindabaag are available on Netflix. The print and sound quality is excellent. Without doubt all the major Pakistani films released in the last few years should be on Netflix. Let's see if our filmmakers wake up and listen to your advice.
Recommend
Zak Jan 07, 2016 05:50pm
Nothing can beat torrenting.
Recommend
mohamad USA Jan 07, 2016 06:11pm
There are some excellent docs on Netflix.... can Pak movies compare with '50 shades of Grey' ? others are trying...
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Avataar Jan 07, 2016 07:22pm
So what about censorship of the movies in other genre ...isnt that invasion of culture?
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Babar Jan 07, 2016 07:35pm
@Aamir I saw na maloom afraad last night
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Ali Jan 07, 2016 07:43pm
Yes please make all good Pakistani movies like Hoon Main Jahaan,Bin Roye,Ye jawane,Wrong No etc available on Netflix.
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kash Jan 07, 2016 08:02pm
Netflix is not exactly cheap in Pakistan. Charging you guys the same as UK. Surely alot of buffering to be expected with Pakistan broadband speeds.
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Asim Shafi Jan 07, 2016 09:03pm
Watch Marathi film "FANDRY" on Netflix. Netflix should show more Marathi movies with English subtitles.
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Mir,Jehan Zeb , M.D. California USA Jan 07, 2016 10:54pm
JOSH is already on Netflix. I started watching it last nite but instead decided to go to bed since it was raining for once in Southern California.
Recommend
Iqbal Jan 08, 2016 12:01am
Netflix is a business. If there is substantial demand they will keep the film. They measure their demand in US and not in South Asia.
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Multinational Bhabi Jan 08, 2016 12:16am
Who needs NetFlix when we have BitTorrent!
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Uzair Jan 08, 2016 12:58am
How can Operation O21 and Zinda Bhaag be not part of this list?
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khan Jan 08, 2016 02:40am
This service is not for Pakistani people. You really think they would pay $7.99 to watch the same content they could get it for free on TV and computers.
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ysk Jan 08, 2016 07:35am
It be great to have all Pakistani movies on Netflix. Netflix and Chromecast should be your best friends.
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Baig Saheb Jan 08, 2016 08:20am
@Mir,Jehan Zeb , M.D. California USA . Good decision, it was a boring.
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Noman Ansari Jan 08, 2016 01:58pm
@Farrukh Kiani I would say you are using the term 'movie' very loosely.
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Sami Jan 08, 2016 08:41pm
Shah should be on netflix. I really liked it, even though it was low budget as hell..
Recommend
Baig Saheb Jan 09, 2016 06:52am
Na Maloom Afraad, Josh, and Zinda Bhaag are on Netflix.
Recommend