Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has signed onto two high-profile projects, while Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor has joined forces with veteran director Jahnu Barua for his latest film, all during the inaugural Tasveer Film Market, reported Variety. The Seattle-based event, focused on South Asian cinema, recently wrapped up, unveiling exciting new collaborations and projects.
Fawad Khan will headline Behind the Scenes, a newsroom thriller developed by Modoxy Media and Film Lab++. The dark comedy, set against the backdrop of a bustling newsroom, brings together a powerhouse team of filmmakers including Mehreen Jabbar (Jackson Heights), Sarmad Khoosat (Joyland), and Mo Naqvi (Insha’Allah Democracy).
Khan is also set to play a key role in The Prisoner, a crime thriller series for Awedacious Originals. Based on Omar Shahid’s bestselling novel, the 1990s-set drama revolves around two daring cops, one of whom will be portrayed by Khan, as they embark on a covert mission to dismantle a powerful political party operating like a mafia in Karachi. The series is being created by Parisa Siddiqi and Ahmer Khan.
Awedacious Originals, led by Apoorva Bakshi and Monisha Thyagarajan, has also picked up Disruption, a documentary by Sarvnik Kaur, whose Against the Tide won at Sundance. The documentary chronicles a conflict between an Indian farmer and a British corporation.
Meanwhile, Guneet Monga Kapoor, producer of the Oscar-winning The Elephant Whisperers, has joined Barua’s India-Australia co-production Whistle in the Wind as a project mentor, marking another international venture for the acclaimed producer.
The Tasveer Film Market also showcased new projects like NISA, a deeply personal film by writer-director Ambarien Alqadar, which explores the journey of a 28-year-old Muslim woman confronting life’s challenges. Another highlight was Lone Star Hijra, directed by Sheila Sawhny, which tells the story of an Indian-American transgender woman seeking sisterhood.
Rita Meher’s Luminary Pictures, in collaboration with executive producer Zaki Chinde, revealed several development deals, including The Pharaoh of Pharma, The Chili Score by Vinny Anand and Ronald Austin, and Good Girls by Hira Sheraz.
“The collaborations formed here reflect the remarkable talent and vision within our community,” said Rita Meher, executive director of the market. “This market has not only brought diverse creators together but has also created a table where filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders can exchange ideas, build relationships, and forge new paths for South Asian narratives on the global stage. It’s inspiring to see these projects come to life, and I’m proud that the inaugural Tasveer Film Market could serve as a platform for such incredible talent and meaningful partnerships,” added Meher.
Associate director Anupama Bose said, “The enthusiasm and response from industry professionals has been remarkable. We look forward to witnessing the journey of the first batch of Tasveer Film Market projects.”
The event kicked off with an investor lunch attended by prominent industry figures including Shobha Sant (Creativeland Studios), Ameet Shukla (One Community), Amy Lillard (Washington Filmworks), Meg Kiernan (Amazon MGM Studios), Samir Sarkar (Magic Hour Films), and Tenten Wei (EST N8).
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