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A Pakistani web series on djinns is in the making

A Pakistani web series on djinns is in the making

Producer Ali Murtaza says the show will follow a 17-year-old on a quest to stop djinns from taking over the world
Updated 14 Dec, 2018

New production house Wingman Films has announced its flagship web series, a supernatural thriller tentatively titled Djinn.

According to the producer Ali Murtaza (Dekh Magar Pyaar Se, The Legend of Maula Jatt), Djinn will follow the adventures of its 17-year-old hero from Pakistan's northern areas who is on a quest to recover 'lost stones' and keep the world from being taken over by djinns. The show will thus also feature episodes set in the USA and China in its first season.

"The story originates from Pakistan because this is new folklore for a global audience. People are interested in supernatural and horror stories, but the cultural myths surrounding djinns will break new ground," Murtaza said in conversation with Images.

"Usually, supernatural stories show the negative side of the parallel world. We spent 8-10 months researching the various kinds of djinns and their traits. The show will also the good side of djinns," he further revealed.

The series, which is intended to be pitched to online streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, is now in the advanced stages of pre-production and a prospective cast has been set that includes Emily Blunt, Bryce Dallas (Jurassic Park), Katheryn Winnick (Vikings) and Hamza Ali Abbasi.

Murtaza stresses that the prospective cast has not been locked down and is meant to convey the calibre of actors they seek to rope in. "During development, you create a prospective cast and you start pitching their agents/managers. None of the names are confirmed, they merely reflect our wish list. Our partners in the US will be pitching these roles to them."

However, Hollywood VFX supervisor Brian Adler (whose credits range from Terminator and Antman to Batman vs Superman and Furious 7 as well as upcoming Pakistani production The Legend of Maula Jutt) is confirmed to be working on the project.

"This will be a VFX-heavy show and Brian has some done top-notch VFX productions. He's also doing the VFX for Maula Jutt. Once you start working with someone, you start getting comfortable with them. When we approached him for VFX, he liked the idea of Djinn so much that he wanted to come on board as one of the executive producers," he shared.

Wingman Films has been founded by Murtaza, Yasir Tipu Khan and Mohammed Omer.

"Wingman has been formed precisely for this series. We thought it would benefit from a dedicated team. The company will focus on producing digital series and films, starting with Djinn."

Djinn will start filming in 2019.

Comments

M. Emad Dec 14, 2018 10:14pm
A renowned Pakistani Physicist and Punjab University VC claimed that he can “fix Pakistan’s energy problem using Djinn power”. The VC also wrote a book about the 'Physics of Djinn Energy'. Unfortunately for Pakistan and the mankind he is now in prison on corruption charges.
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isha Dec 15, 2018 12:46am
so they will pitch the show to american producers in US for funding, while presenting hamza the man who has the most controversial views towards the US as the confirmed male actor from pakistab. Brillant
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MHamza Dec 15, 2018 01:04am
OMG! Damn excited about it. Such a great cast wishlist and concept. I hope it will open doors for Pakistani talent to west
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Zoha Dec 15, 2018 10:14am
Nice.. the idea sounds unique and interesting.. Hope it would prove to be a great intriguing thriller series and become a world wide success IA
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SOS Dec 15, 2018 10:19am
Let's assure ourselves, there is no chance of Jinn taking over, Insaan was created as best creation, so we can beat the Jinns by far and wide, if there was ever a clash. In an all out war between Jinn kind and Human kind, Jinns will lose big time.
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Zora Dec 15, 2018 01:45pm
@isha If you think speaking truth and sense to power is controversial....
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isha Dec 15, 2018 04:48pm
@Zora here is truth for you why would producers invest in a project with an man who only rants against their country also at present the two countries are not on best terms, would you do that? you have banned Indian tv content remember citing same reason so double standard much?? , he is not winning them any audience why would one invest in a prj with him in it . Also please do your research and read up on all sides before blindly accepting all subjective opinions by hamza as gospel truth. I will leave you with a quote from Jeyn Roberts “There are three sides to every story. Yours, Mine. What really happened: the truth.” ―
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Muhammad Azhar Dec 16, 2018 12:10am
Oh my God can't wait to watch it. This series would prove to be a gift for a person like me who likes to watch fiction. Secondly, I am a big big fan of Katherine (Lagertha) from Vikings so if she is in there I will convince my whole of engineering class to watch it (Kidding). Anyhow good luck with this project.
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Santiago Dec 16, 2018 01:34pm
It seems interesting, but I want to see a collaboration between Pakistani and Turkish actors!
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