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HUM Network is joining hands with American production companies Traveling Picture Show Company (TPSC) and Rising Tides to bring Soniah Kamal’s bestselling novel Unmarriageable to life in Pakistan.

The news was first reported by Variety, who say the project will be one of the few Western productions to be shot entirely in Pakistan. In the recent past, Jemima Khan’s What’s Love Got To Do With It was set in Pakistan but filmed almost entirely out of the country. Even Ms Marvel’s scenes were shot in Thailand and America save for a few aerial shots and filler clips from Karachi.

Unmarriageable is a modern-day retelling of Pride and Prejudice and is set in Pakistan. It follows the story of Alys Binat and Mr Darsee and follows the trajectory of the original novel.

The script has been written by Sadia Ashraf, who will also co-direct alongside James McMillan. Principal photography is expected to begin early 2025 in Pakistan.

The production team includes Carissa Buffel and Luisa Iskin from TPSC, Sadia Ashraf and Shahla Khan from Rising Tides, with HUM Network’s Sultana Siddiqui and Badar Ikram serving as executive producers alongside Kamal.

“We, along with our great partners, are thrilled to bring this beloved story to the big screen and to showcase the beauty and complexity of Pakistani culture to English-language audiences around the world,” said TPSC’s Buffel.

Kamal added: “Unmarriageable deals with the intricacies of navigating relationships, identity, and happily-ever-afters — universal experiences shared by women explored through a unique lens.”

Ashraf said they want to challenge stereotypes about Pakistan by showing authentic cultural diversity on screen through comedy, fashion and colours set in a rich architectural heritage rarely offered to American audiences.

“We are excited to partner with Traveling Picture Show Company and Rising Tides on our first American film,” said Siddiqui. “The film will showcase the vibrant lifestyle of Pakistani women, while also furthering HUM Network’s mission of sharing empowering female stories with a brand-new audience.”

“HUM network has always taken the lead in taking Pakistani culture to new territories. Partnering with Unmarriagable film production is also part of this conviction. We shall continue to take our stories to the global audiences,” said Duraid Qureshi, the CEO of HUM Network.