Pakistan’s first fully artificial intelligence-generated feature film, The Next Salahuddin, is set to reach a national television audience after HUM TV confirmed it will air the production, bringing one of the country’s most talked-about cinematic experiments to viewers across the country. The film, which had its premiere at Nueplex Cinema in Karachi before receiving a wider theatrical release, now moves to one of Pakistan’s most prominent television networks, marking another milestone in what has been a remarkable journey for an unconventional production built entirely on artificial intelligence tools.
The Next Salahuddin was written and directed by Farhan Siddiqui and produced by veteran artist Ustad Asim Ismail, with the production containing no live actors, physical shooting locations, or traditional sets at any stage. The artificial intelligence-driven approach allowed the creative team to manage production entirely from a single location, addressing typical challenges such as actor availability, location logistics, and on-ground shooting risks. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence tools, the film achieved a level of visual and narrative quality designed to resonate with younger audiences accustomed to fast-paced, digital-first content. At 55 minutes, the film is structured like a continuous reel designed to maintain engagement from start to finish, with Siddiqui hoping the film will make audiences laugh, cry, and reflect while inspiring young people to believe in their ability to drive change.
Producer Ustad Asim Ismail described the film as a voice for humanity, peace, and human rights, adding that the project has the potential to become Pakistan’s creative identity on a global stage. The film is being released in Urdu, English, Bengali, and Arabic, aiming to reach audiences both in Pakistan and internationally, with the filmmakers also planning to submit it to an international competition in France and organise screenings in Malaysia. The use of artificial intelligence allowed creators to generate complex environments, character designs, and sequences that would typically require large budgets and extensive resources, demonstrating how emerging technologies can empower creators in developing markets. The HUM TV broadcast now extends that reach further, placing Pakistan’s pioneering artificial intelligence film in front of the network’s broad national viewership and signalling that the country’s media establishment is prepared to support and platform domestically produced artificial intelligence content.
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