"Dukhtar," the film that award winner director Afia Natahniel created as her first independent feature film, will be released globally at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 5. The film has been chosen as an official selection for the TIFF Discovery category.

"Dukhtar" is a thriller film which revolves around issues surrounding child marriage. The story develops in a road trip setting wherein a mother tries to find a better life and future for her daughter by escaping. The mother then seeks for the help of a truck driver which will be played by Mohib Mirza, an award-winning actor.

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According to reports, "Dukhtar" was filmed around places which include Hunza, Kallar Kahar and Lahore. They have also reported that the duration of filming was around 30 days and the actors that participated all endured below-freezing temperatures. More than 200 extras participated in the film, including its chase scene.

The movie has been filmed in quite extreme conditions with the chase scene being set on the world's highest altitude roads.

Afia Nathaniel, the director of the movie, has expressed that it was a great honor for her first independent movie to be featured in the film festival. The director said she is looking forward to bringing her film back to her homeland after the TIFF. The director has also expressed her hopes that the public would enjoy the movie.

The movie has been praised by TIFF programmer Jane Schoettle for its great plot and other aspects. She has also pointed out that TIFF is proud to showcase such a film for the Discovery section as Afia Nathaniel's work definitely fits in the category.

The producer of the film, Muhamad Khalid Ali, stated that being featured in the TIFF was a great and humbling moment for everyone in the cast and crew, as it is the first time that a Pakistani movie has been selected for a popular film festival such as the Toronto International Film Festival.

"Dukhtar" is due for worldwide premiere on September 5.

TagsAfia Nathaniel, Dukhtar