Film Javed Iqbal is being re-submitted to the censor board with a new name and a new cut

Film Javed Iqbal has had far too many speed bumps on its journey to making it to the big screen but director Abu Aleeha refuses to give up. He is re-submitting the film for the censor’s board’s approval after making cuts and changing the name to Kukri. If approved, the film will be showcased within a month or two.

“We have an understanding with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and with censor board’s new management in [the] federal [government],” he told Images. “They have given us suggestions such as changing the name, etc and after implementing those, we are re-submitting the film. [Kukri] is the new name of Javed Iqbal.”

Aleeha explained that the name was changed from Javed Iqbal to Kukri based on his books. “Kukri was Javed Iqbal’s nickname, he was called by that name in his neighbourhood and by friends because of his sitting style,” he added.

“The film duration was 90 minutes, now after some additions, it has become 105 minutes. There is an addition of exactly 15 minutes and the film is being sent to the censor board in Ramazan, within a week,” revealed Aleeha. “InshaAllah we will receive good news and as soon as it passes the censor board’s check, we will put the film on display between the choti Eid and bari Eid.”

Kukri was originally supposed to release in October 2021, but the premiere was pushed to December because it was still being cleared by the censor boards. December proved to be unlucky as well — the film’s release experienced yet another delay due to a rise in Covid-19 cases. The release date was then rescheduled to January 28, 2022.

With the new date announced, the film had its Karachi premiere at Nueplex Cinema on January 25, 2022, attended by the cast and crew as well as other members of the entertainment fraternity. The very next day, the director took to Twitter and shared that the Punjab government had put a halt to the film hitting cinemas.

It had a world premiere at a UK film festival and got selected for the Berlin International Art Film Festival as well. Aleeha had said he planned on releasing an uncensored version of the film on an OTT platform and a sequel is also in the making, scheduled to hit the theatres this summer.

Kukri is based on the investigation into Javed Iqbal, the serial killer who killed 100 young boys in Lahore and sent evidence of his crimes to the authorities and media in 1999. Aleeha the director has written the screenplay of the film as well. It’s been produced by Javed Ahmed Kakepoto.