Bringing the story of Iqbal Masih to the screen was never going to be easy. The young Pakistani boy who became an international symbol of the fight against child labor lived a life marked by extraordinary courage and tragic brevity, and translating that into a feature film required not just technical skill but deep emotional commitment from everyone involved. From the earliest days of pre-production, the team behind "Gunjal" understood the weight of the story they were undertaking.
Filming took place on location in the Punjab region of Pakistan, a decision that brought both authenticity and logistical challenges. Director Shoaib Sultan worked closely with producer Nighat Akbar Shah to capture the landscapes and communities that shaped Iqbal's life. The heat, the dust, the narrow lanes of rural villages, all of it became part of the film's visual language. "We wanted audiences to feel the reality of this world," Sultan explained during production. "Shooting on location was non-negotiable."
The casting process was equally deliberate. Ahmed Ali Akbar, known for his acclaimed work in "Parizaad," was chosen to lead the film as journalist Shahbaz Bhatti, whose investigation into Iqbal's murder drives the narrative. Veteran actress Resham and rising star Amna Ilyas brought depth and gravitas to their roles, while Samiya Mumtaz and Ahmed Ali Butt rounded out an ensemble that gave the film both star power and dramatic heft. The screenplay, written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi, balanced the true-crime investigation with the emotional story of a family seeking justice.
One of the most distinctive elements of "Gunjal" is its soundtrack, featuring original music by Xarb and the legendary Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The music was conceived as an integral part of the storytelling, weaving traditional Pakistani musical forms with contemporary compositions to underscore the film's themes of injustice, perseverance, and hope. The multilingual dialogue, spanning Urdu, Punjabi, and English, further reflected the cross-cultural dimensions of Iqbal's story.
For Nighat Akbar Shah, the making of "Gunjal" was deeply personal. "Every day on set, I felt the responsibility of telling this story truthfully," she reflected. "Iqbal Masih was a child who stood up against an industry worth billions. The least we could do was honor his memory with a film that refuses to look away." The result is a production that stands as both a cinematic achievement and a powerful act of remembrance.