Kamli gets a standing ovation and thunderous applause at Karachi premiere

As the screen faded to black at last night’s premiere of Kamli, a stunned silence fell over the audience for just a heartbeat. Someone from the audience exclaimed “Wow!” just as applause broke out.

One by one, the audience rose for a standing ovation and turned towards director Sarmad Khoosat and his leading ladies — Saba Qamar, Sania Saeed, and Nimra Bucha. As haunting music flooded the cinema during end credits, Saba broke out into tears. It was an emotional moment and she was joined by Sarmad as he hugged her tight, holding her face in his hands, sharing the moment of celebration. “You know what you did,” he whispered, gesturing to the screen.

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This was the suitably poignant end of a night that may possibly go down in Pakistan’s film history. One film cannot revive an industry but it does indicate what the industry is capable of. And people turned up to witness and experience the triumph. Fellow directors like Saqib Malik, Asim Raza, Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Baig, Wajahat Rauf, Qasim Ali Mureed and many others came to support. Other than the film’s acclaimed cast, one saw and spoke to Samina Ahmed and Manzar Sehbai, Irsa Ghazal, Adeel Hussain and the younger Dure Fishan, Hajra Yamin, Madiha Imam and Dananeer. One spotted Mehwish Hayat lending a shoulder to an emotional Saba Qamar. It was a full house!

Saba Qamar and Mehwish Hayat on the red carpet

Sarmad himself was beaming on the red carpet, dressed sharply in a grey double-breasted suit. Talking to Something Haute, the actor-director admitted that he was very nervous. “I usually sweat a lot, but yesterday it was crazy,” he chuckled. “It was real anxiety. Offering your work to an audience always comes with a sense of abandonment and separation, when you release it to the world.”

When asked if he had doubts about how the film would be received, Sarmad stated, “Films are very tricky. With television, there’s a delayed response and it doesn’t reach you directly. With films, the anxiety of a release is similar to that of acting on stage. It’s not even always about what you are offering, the audience is always a surprise. Reactions differ from person to person, and even from one city to another.”

Sarmad’s stars were decked out in dazzling ensembles that marked the occasion. Omair Rana looked dapper in a sharply cut black suit accentuated with a deep purple tie. Hamza Khawaja made his red carpet debut in a dark suit, worn over a double-breasted waistcoat and a jade green tie. The actor had ditched the shaggy mane he’s seen sporting in Kamli and looked almost unrecognizable.

Sarmad Khoosat with Kamli’s charming Malik Sahab (Omair Rana) and mysterious Amaltash (Hamza Khawaja), both of whom are irreplaceable in the story

Sania Saeed was the very picture of elegance in a silk sari. The light blue outfit was dotted in sequins and decorated at the borders with an embellished floral pattern. She accentuated the look with an understated pearl necklace and ear studs.

“I barely have to direct Sania,” Sarmad admitted. “I just sit there and look at the marvel that she is. You know how actors feel like they’re in safe hands with certain directors? That’s how I feel as a director with Sania.”

Sania and Sarmad are known to have a strong friendship. Sarmad laughed as he told us that Sania sometimes got annoyed with him for not giving her enough feedback on set. “I tell her I don’t want to be so entitled that I start giving Sania Saeed feedback,” he said jokingly.

Director Asim Raza came out to support Sarmad Khoosat and Sania Saeed

Nimra Bucha looked stunning in a golden sari that was heavily embroidered in the same colour. A black velvet dupatta was draped around her arms, dusted with embroidery that mirrored the golden of her sari. Hair pulled back in an understated bun, Nimra matched her outfit with a golden choker and emerald earrings.

Saba’s style team once again delivered a winning number. The actress wore an off-shoulder golden dress that accentuated her collar bones. Silk thread embroidery flowed to the hem, embellished with zardozi and sequins. A cape trailed behind Saba, glittering with sequins. Diamond jewelry and emerald earrings tied the ensemble together.

Sarmad gushed over Saba when asked about directing her in Kamli. “Her range, her commitment, her professionalism, it’s all enviably great. She came to this project with a graciousness, an openness to allowing herself to be moulded.” According to Sarmad, Saba herself admits there’s very little Hina (her character in Kamli) in her personality. “That graciousness and malleability was important for this project and as a director I utilized it,” said Sarmad.

Sarmad Khoosat’s Kamlis: Saba Qamar, Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha

The air buzzed with anticipation before the screening. It had been many years since the public had been treated to a Khoosat premiere. The peeks we had gotten into Kamli filled the audience with high expectations. By the end of the night, the anticipation had turned to awe. One walked away with a sense that one had just witnessed a turning point for Pakistani cinema, a night that heralded the many possibilities that lay before us now that Kamli had shown us the true potential of our industry.