BANDAR ROAD PAR
MEDIUM: Video
TOOLS: Adobe Premier Pro
SKILLS: Mood Boarding, Videography, Editing footage, Illustrations
YEAR: 2021
A short film combining colonial architecture with traditional outfits for a fashion brand. The Pink Tree Company, a Pakistani fashion brand hired me to shoot this short film that was meant to evoke a sense of nostalgia attached to the outfits. We did this by shooting the film in front of historic colonial buildings on Bandar Road in Karachi.
WHY I MADE THIS FILM
This short film was created to reflect the unspoken turmoil women in Pakistan endure: constantly juggling dual personas that undermine their strength. By stepping onto a male-dominated street, the protagonist reclaims her agency, proving that despite systemic barriers, a woman’s determination can transform fear into fearless resolve.
STORY SYNOPSIS
On Bandar Road, a woman stands alone against a male-dominated backdrop, searching for a bus that never stops. Nostalgic radio tunes echo past eras while she covers up, quietly adapting to social scrutiny. Yet, in a single decisive moment, she chooses to walk—crossing literal and figurative boundaries. An outfit change signals rebirth, and she claims her space on the street, sprinting toward a freedom once denied.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Collaborated with the director to develop a strong creative direction.
Created a mood-board to define the visual tone, lighting, and styling for the film.
Planned composition, camera movements, and framing for the story.
Shortlisted music options prior to the shoot.
CHALLENGES
2020 Pandemic Protocols: Worked under strict safety guidelines, limiting resources.
Two-hour window to shoot the short film.
Security concerns in a dangerous area of the city.
DIRECTION
Set up and directed the shots to ensure clean visuals and focus on product usage.
Experimented with close-ups and mid-range shots to highlight outfit details against the colonial architecture.
EQUIPMENT
Cameras: Canon EOS RP and M50.
Lenses: 50mm and 100mm for a mix of A and B roll shots.
Stabilization: Gimbal for smooth, dynamic camera movements.
POST-PRODUCTION
Assembled and synced footage to music tracks.
Color grading, editing, and stabilizing footage.
Created hand-drawn illustrations for the video title.
These photos capture both the excitement and fear of filming on Karachi’s hectic streets. I was the only woman behind the camera—worried someone might snatch my gear—yet each challenge pushed me to tell our story fearlessly.
TEAM
Model: Mushk Kaleem
Director: Jaffer Hasan
DOP: Basmah Masood
Assistant DOP: Ahmed Masood
Styling: Amal Qadri
Hair & Makeup: Arbash Malick
Jewelry: Sherezad jewellery