This handout photo shows official poster of Pakistani crime-thriller Jujji by Yūgen Studios. (Handout)
ISLAMABAD: In a city better known for its politics than its cinema, a dark, slow-burning thriller is quietly rewriting Pakistan’s film narrative.
Jujji, a true-crime drama born out of Rawalpindi’s narrow streets and indie grit, has captured international attention, earning a global distribution deal with US company Buffalo 8 and a feature on Variety, the Hollywood trade publication.
Directed by Habib Shahzad and written by Ahmad Umar Ayaz, the film follows two police officers, one idealistic, one cynical, as they hunt a serial killer terrorizing Rawalpindi. What begins as a gripping manhunt unfolds into a reflection on morality, guilt, and the blurred line between justice and vengeance.
Developed over two years and filmed entirely on location, Jujji will debut on Amazon Prime Video and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity in the US and UK on November 21, before its theatrical release in Pakistan.
The trailer premiered on Variety, where critics hailed it as a bold, genre-defying work that “merges authentic South Asian storytelling with the universal appeal of true-crime cinema.”
What began as a modest collaboration between BHM Films and Yūgen Studios has evolved into a statement on Pakistan’s growing ability to tell globally resonant stories.
The film swept multiple awards at the Gandhara Independent Film Festival and the Punjab Police Film Festival, where it was praised for its realism and emotional depth.
“Jujji is not just a film, it’s a reflection of Pakistan’s streets, fears, and resilience,” said director Habib Shahzad. “We wanted to tell a story that is rooted in our soil yet universal in its emotion.”
Hashim Zafar Wadhen, head of research and development at Yūgen Studios, told Pakistan TV Digital that the film’s success demonstrates the global potential of locally grounded stories.
“Pakistani films can travel across borders when grounded in local realities but crafted with global sensibilities,” he said.
Beyond its crime and suspense, Jujji is also a cinematic love letter to Rawalpindi. Its flickering streetlights, crowded alleys, and flawed heroes.
What started as a self-funded indie project now stands shoulder to shoulder with international releases. As its shadowy world prepares to stream worldwide, Jujji signals a confident new era for Pakistani cinema, one where local storytelling meets global ambition.
Jujji will be available On Demand internationally from November 21, with its Pakistan release to follow.
