| Kukri | |
| Director: | Abu Aleeha |
| Producer: | Javed Ahmed |
| Starring: | Yasir Hussain Ayesha Omar |
| Studio: | K K films |
| Distributor: | Metro Live Movies |
| Country: | Pakistan |
Kukri, originally titled Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of A Serial Killer, is a 2023 Pakistani film, that is based on the life of the notorious Pakistani serial killer and sex offender, Javed Iqbal. Directed by Abu Aleeha with a screenplay also by Aleeha, and produced by Javed Ahmed under K K films, the film is based on Javid Iqbal’s trial when he was arrested for committing crimes against 100 boys. The film stars Yasir Hussain in the title role and Ayesha Omar as Zara, a police officer.[1] The title of the film, Kukri, is another name of the notorious serial killer.
The trailer of the film was released on 8 December 2021 with the film earlier scheduled to be released on 24 December 2021.[2] However it was postponed until January 2022. The film was scheduled to release in the theatres on 28 January 2022 after a premiere in Karachi.[3]
However the film was banned by the Punjab government and the Central Board of Film Censors before its release.[4] The film was selected for Berlin Film Festival.[5]
After the ban had been lifted, the filmmakers made the decision to revise the film, and shorten the title to "Kukri" (another name for the serial killer). The film finally was released on June 2, 2023.[6]
The movie depicts the inception and apprehension of Javed Iqbal, a notorious Pakistani serial killer and sex offender.
The film was pulled out of theatres a day before its release, owing to the ban by the Punjab government and the Central Board of Film Censors.[7] Pakistani celebrities such as Iqra Aziz, Ali Rehman Khan and Osman Khalid Butt came out in the support of the makers and protested against the ban.[8]