“AI-based filmmaking offers a cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional production methods,” says director
A screenshot from the trailer of The Next Salahuddin. Source: x.com/HaideryMuhammed
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s film industry has marked a new milestone with the release of The Next Salahuddin, the country’s first feature film created entirely with AI.
The film premiered on Friday night at Karachi’s Nueplex Cinema, where media professionals, cultural figures and guests gathered to witness what is being described as a “bold step towards the future of cinema.” The project is seen as an attempt to combine advanced technology with socially conscious storytelling.
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The Next Salahuddin has been written and directed by Farhan Siddiqui, who says the film is not just a cinematic experiment but a message for a global audience. The producer, veteran artiste Ustad Asim Ismail, described it as a story rooted in contemporary realities while drawing inspiration from history.
In an interview with The Express PAkGazette, Farhan Siddiqui described the project as a completely new experience for Pakistani cinema. “There are no actors, no physical filming locations or conventional movie sets in this project,” he said. “Despite that, audiences won’t feel like they’re watching an AI-generated movie.”
Siddiqui said AI-based filmmaking offers a cost-effective and safer alternative to traditional production methods. “There are no location issues, no availability issues with actors and no risks associated with field shooting. This entire film can be completed sitting in one room,” he said.
He added that the 55-minute film has been designed specifically with younger audiences in mind. “Today’s youth prefer concise, fast-paced content, so we have structured the film as a reel to keep viewers engaged from start to finish,” Siddiqui said. According to him, the film aims to make the audience laugh, cry and think, while encouraging young people to believe that they too can bring about change.
Asim Ismail highlighted the ideological basis of the film and said that The Next Salahuddin is a voice for humanity, peace and human rights. He said the film expresses solidarity with the people of Palestine and represents a historic step for AI-powered cinema in Pakistan. “This project has the potential to become Pakistan’s creative identity on a global stage,” he added.
Speaking at the event, writer and director Talal Farhat emphasized the need for young Pakistani filmmakers to go beyond traditional and overused themes. He argued that the industry must break away from stereotypical narratives focused on violence, feudal conflicts and formulaic family dramas and instead explore innovative ideas adapted to the digital age.
“We now live in the age of information technology,” he said. “Mobile phones and computers have reshaped human relationships, and artificial intelligence has quietly become a powerful force in our lives, faster and sharper than the human mind. Escaping it is no longer possible.”
The makers announced that The Next Salahuddin will be released in multiple languages, including Urdu, English, Bengali and Arabic, and there are plans to submit it to an international film competition in France in March. In addition to Pakistan, screenings are also planned in Malaysia, marking what they describe as a major international step for Pakistan’s emerging AI-powered cinema.
