Dukhtar

Now here is a revolution I see happening in the current generation. Whilst we see intolerance increasing by the day, we also see people voicing their opinions freely. And by people, I majorly mean women. The kind of revolution which is taking place in a technologically dominated era, I do see women standing up for their rights in various ways. 

Until ten years ago, women were told to not act in films after they got married or were forced to take motherly roles after the age of thirty. Quite ridiculous isn’t it? Not like the picture has changed 180 degrees today, but voicing opinions and social media surely has taken its due course to change the perception about women actors and stories.

Us as an audience have majorly watched stories that have an urban touch, the city life, and how people live with privilege. Yes, I do mention privilege here because I personally believe that city people have far more advantages to earning income than those living in rural areas.

That is why, we need more filmmakers who will write scripts majorly based on rural development, its society and societal construct.

On one such note; I recently had a chance to watch a Pakistani movie. I kid you not, I have become a die-hard fan of Pakistani drama shows. They are thoroughly engaging, have female directors, and show headstrong women who want to prove their potential not just to society, but to themselves as women surrounded by constant misogyny.

The pandemic hit us all and gave me an opportunity on a personal level to explore the magic of cinema. In this course of time, I decided to prepare a small basket of art / experimental feature films that don’t fit our traditional mainstream cinema definition. These films challenge and question our past, present and future. These films ask us to question our beliefs, whether they are fair or if we are being partial? Following up, is the introspection of our thoughts, which just like you all, I have done in these past few months. The only difference that lies between you and me is that my medium of introspection has been films which have majorly shaped my personality and life since the lockdown began.

I was introduced to a wide area of experimental art and feature films during this period. That has made me truly wonder whether I still resonate with my past self or have really changed. There is just so much to unlearn is what I have felt in the past few months. One of the most recent instances where I watched a movie of impact has been ‘Dukhtar’. 

The first thought to pop up in my mind was the meaning behind this word, which is Urdu. Before asking Google what it meant, I asked my brain to create a meaning of my own, which concluded to sadness. Well, that was a failed attempt, but at least I tried, haha.

Dukhtar meaning Daughter is a ninety-three minutes feature film; directed, produced, and written by Afia Nathaniel. Afia originally happens to be from Lahore and is currently based in the United States. The minute I saw the poster for the very first time, I knew that I have to watch this film with my full attention. And, then I picked out a fine Sunday with a glass of wine and started watching it.

Afia’s film takes us through the rigid, rough plains of Hunza, Gilgit and Baltistan to a small part of the walled city of Lahore, which I have read so much about, and always felt fascinated with. Yet again, through the script, she challenges the patriarchy residing in the villages of Pakistan through the eyes of two girls; Allah Rakhi(Samiya Mumtaz) and her daughter Zainab (Saleha Aref).

Allah Rakhi’s character though initially what feels like soft as a flower, and not much outspoken, yet very caring but later changing her course to being fierce as a storm is a great example of how to not judge books by their cover.

Throughout the movie, they struggle to find their place which is dominated by the men of the village, who for their own benefit and gain want the 10-year-old Zainab married off to their enemy as an alliance to a much older man.

In fear of seeing how Zainab's life can be similar to Allah Rakhi’s, they both flee from the village and end up meeting Sohail ( Mohib Mirza) on the way, who is a truck driver. Sohail’s truck is something I’d love to own someday too, hahaha. As the saying goes that when the universe closes one door, it opens another; Sohail truly shows up as a messiah amidst the widespread raw land of Baltistan (truly beautiful and daunting at the same time).

Afia through her work also shows us the real side of how the male ego works, and how women have always ended up being the only sufferers and victims of this violence and fragile ego. For a girl like Allah Rakhi, her daughter means everything to her. And by setting her free from this odd marriage which is a prison if you ask me, she is setting an ideal example for her daughter too. With the intention that when she grows up someday, she will show fierce courage and bravery to fight patriarchy and societal norms, all written by men. Dukhtar is an ode to all those women who continue to fight their battles and prove their worth as women, especially in the rural areas where women are questioned about their worth constantly. Where women constantly have to battle wars with men who don't believe in equality. Where women seek refuge in those men who believe that humanity wins above all. Where women believe in a positive tomorrow and a hope that they’ll be treated with much-deserved dignity and respect. 

Like I said earlier, Afia makes us question what we believe in and what our fight is against, especially those with privilege who can help the undermined. Would we truly ever be able to give a safe world to our women? I don’t know the answer to this, but the much-needed fight continues and grows larger each passing day. For those who need some courage and believe in compassion, this film is truly for them to watch.