“A tragic love story at heart, Kamli is going to be a fresh mix of a rustic setting captured in a contemporary, universal sensibility. Unlike other films of the genre, Kamli is not only going to depict the vibrancy and humour of rural Punjab but also its poetic lyricism and love-lore in an international film aesthetic, ” is how Sarmad Khoosat described the movie. Needless to say, it reflects that dark, intense story telling that has fast becoming the film maker's signature. style.

Starring the best female talent in the country - Saba Qamar, Nimra Bucha and Sania Saeed - the plot is clearly one that places a woman's experience at the front and center of the narrative. The diaologue-less trailer is appropriately cryptic and intriguing. Perhaps, hinting at a coming of a age story combined with the lure of the city.

But right off the bat, I know I am looking forward to the fantastic cinematography and the fact that the script does not seem to caricaturise the Punjab. Often times, our films are loaded with stereotypical tropes that are, frankly, becoming quite exhausting and mundane. Also, looking forward to meeting the brand new Hamza Khwaja as the male lead. He commands presence even along side a giant of a star like Saba Qamar (in the trailer atleast).

The movie also boasts a very well produced soundtrack by Saad Sultan. Consisting of 6 songs featuring an eclectic mix of voices, the music album provides quite a range; from superstar Atif Aslam's "Mukhra", the melodious Zeb Bangash's "Kaash" and the soulful "Mainu Tu" in the celestial voice of the queen of folk music, late Reshma Ji, to 3 more tracks by up and coming music sensations including the romantic "Naina" by Sohail Shahzad, the magical "Paani" by Zenab Fatimah Sultan and the empowering dance number "Agg" by Amna Rahi featuring Zeb Bangash.

The music of Kamli is available on all leading platforms like Spotify & iTunes. The movie is in theatres on Friday 3rd June 2022.