Laal Kabootar is Pakistan's entry for the Oscars
The Pakistani Academy Selection Committee, chaired by two-time Academy Award winning documentary filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, has selected Laal Kabootar to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the 'International Feature Film Award’ category for the 92nd Academy Awards.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will choose the final nominees for all award categories including International Feature Film in December 2019.
The complete and final list of Oscar nominees will be announced on 13 January 2020 with the presentation show scheduled to take place on 9 February 2020.
Laal Kabootar is a rollercoaster ride featuring Ahmed Ali Akbar as Adeel Nawaz - a hustling taxi-driver and Aliya Malik, played by the alluring Mansha Pasha, is strong-headed to the point of being stubborn.
Aliya and Adeel's individual scheming and planning throws them together unexpectedly. Adeel offers to help Aliya find her husband's murderer. In exchange, she'll give him enough money to flee to the UAE. Sounds simple enough... but neither of them realise they're in over their heads.
The Oscar committee for 2019 was chaired by Obaid-Chinoy and includes Zeba Bakhtiar, Zarrar Khuhro, Zebunnisa Hamid, Sarmad Khoosat, Asim Abbasi, Rizwan Beyg, Jamil Baig, Sanam Saeed and Hamna Zubair.
Laal Kabootar cast includes Rashid Farooqui, Saleem Meraj, Ali Kazmi, Shamim Hilali, Akbar Islam, Syed Arsalan, Saad Fareedi, Hammad Siddiq and Faiza Gillani to name a few.
The flick was directed by Kamal Khan with Harvard grads Hania Chima and Kamil Chima as the executive producers.
Talking about the development, Khan shared, "Humbled by the news! This is an extremely proud moment for the entire team, we are all very excited. Want to thank the Pakistan selection committee and audiences for giving Laal Kabootar so much love.”