In a significant cultural development, officials from Pakistan and Iran are exploring a joint film production that will portray the life, philosophy, and legacy of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet-philosopher revered across the Muslim world.
The initiative was discussed during a dinner hosted by the Iranian Consul General in Lahore, where Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari announced that both countries are considering the co-production of a world-class feature film on Iqbal.
Bokhari revealed that the Punjab government has approved the establishment of a state-of-the-art Film City, with groundwork expected to begin soon. The proposal for Iranian collaboration will be presented to the Film City Committee, she added, noting that the project’s design has already been finalized by the Infrastructure Development Authority of Punjab.
She emphasized that Pakistani producers are eager to create a cinematic portrayal of Iqbal that not only captures his intellectual and spiritual depth but also strengthens Pakistan-Iran cultural ties. Bokhari said Iran’s strong background in film production could greatly enhance the project’s quality and global reach.
The Iranian delegation was led by Dr. Ahmad Noroozi, Director for Overseas Affairs at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), alongside senior officials from Punjab’s Information and Culture departments. Dr. Noroozi offered Iran’s full cooperation in developing Punjab’s Film City, highlighting that Iran’s own facility is among the most advanced in the region. He also invited Pakistani filmmakers to visit Iran’s Film City to identify potential areas of collaboration.
Dr. Noroozi further expressed IRIB’s willingness to support Quran recitation competitions and other joint cultural initiatives aimed at deepening bilateral relations.
The discussion around bringing Iqbal’s life to the screen has been gaining momentum. Earlier this week, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar met with Iranian media officials to discuss a proposed drama series on Iqbal’s life, planned to be co-produced in Persian and Urdu.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, both sides expressed enthusiasm for projects reflecting Iqbal’s spiritual influence across the Muslim world. Five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed, covering cooperation in training, technical support, and media content exchange.
Officials noted that the proposed drama series could complement the feature film, helping expand Iqbal’s message through television and digital platforms.
This collaboration aligns with Pakistan’s broader efforts to honour Iqbal’s legacy. The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has already announced several large-scale projects to commemorate Iqbal’s 150th birth anniversary in 2027, including a feature film and a drama series in partnership with Iran.
Cultural analysts view these initiatives as a promising new phase for Pakistan’s entertainment industry, where storytelling becomes a bridge between nations. A film on Iqbal, they say, would celebrate the poet’s timeless vision of selfhood, unity, and spiritual awakening, while symbolizing a cinematic dialogue between two countries bound by history, faith, and language.
If realized, the Pakistan-Iran Iqbal project could become a landmark collaboration — transforming poetry into cinema and philosophy into motion, echoing Iqbal’s dream of inspiring generations through the power of thought.
