Pakistani Horror Film ‘Deemak’ Set to Haunt Theaters, Trailer Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE)

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Pakistani movies are set to revisit the horror genre through “Deemak,” which translates to “Termite.” This is a psychological, supernatural thriller that promises to be chilling. The movie marks an important step in enhancing local cinema by offering high-quality production and captivating narratives.

As a film enthusiast, I’m eager to share my excitement about the upcoming movie “Deemak,” directed by the talented Rafay Rashdi, known for “Badshah Begum” and “The Java Plum Tree.” The screenplay is penned by Ayesha Muzaffar, author of “Abus Jinns” and “Jinnistan.” This gripping tale delves into the complex dynamics between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, set amidst a family home plagued by increasing supernatural turmoil. The production house behind this film is Wah Wah Productions, with Syed Murad Ali serving as executive producer.

The movie brings together a talented cast of Pakistani actors, such as Faysal Quraishi (“Money Back Guarantee”), Sonya Hussyn (“Tich Button”), Samina Peerzada (“Balaa”), Javed Sheikh (“Chand Nagar”), and Bushra Ansari (“Tere Bin”). Mandviwalla Entertainment will handle the distribution, with Geo Films providing media support.

The story revolves around the Deemak family, who experience growing instances of strange, eerie occurrences in their household. As these paranormal events become more intense, a mental struggle emerges between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Meanwhile, the son is torn between his affection for these two women he holds dear.

The summary presents a tale in which a once comfortable setting transforms into a labyrinth of fear, as the distinction between the living world and the supernatural fades with every passing evening. The creators mention that their story is influenced by real-life occurrences.

The project intends to merge chilling psychological terror aspects with the mythology of Jinns, a goal that the creators hope will result in a distinctly Pakistani spin on the horror genre.

Executive producer Ali, whose longstanding enthusiasm for horror is evident, infuses this venture with a lifetime’s worth of passion. “Horror has captivated me since my early days — I’ve spent countless hours immersed in horror movies, and the dream of crafting one myself has been a constant companion,” Ali shared.

Ali views the movie not only as simple amusement: “Our film industry harbors a wealth of undiscovered talents, yet it yearns for backing, funding, and compelling narratives. I firmly believe ‘Deemak’ embodies this very essence.

Director Rashdi views this project as the realization of a lifelong dream. “I’ve always been passionate about the horror genre,” he said. “Early in my career, I dabbled with some experimental horror shorts, and for a long time, I’ve imagined working on a full-length horror/supernatural film.

The director shared that the idea originated from a previous venture named “Yaqeen” (“Belief”), which he unveiled around six years back. Working together with writer Ayesha Muzaffar enabled him to delve into the intricacies of family bonds using a mystical perspective.

Rashdi suggested that we should incorporate a complex human situation – a man torn between two women while maintaining harmony in a traditional Pakistani family. By combining this deep emotional narrative with an unexpected supernatural element, he believed this would create intriguing opportunities for storytelling.

The horror movie industry in Pakistan has made occasional but substantial advancements, starting with the iconic “Zinda Laash” (1967), often called Pakistan’s first horror feature film and a South Asian adaptation of Dracula. After years of budget-restricted productions and TV series, the genre underwent a contemporary renaissance with “Zibahkhana” (2007), an English-Urdu zombie slasher that was Pakistan’s first horror film to appear at various international festivals. This opened doors for films like “Maya” (2015) and “Aksbandh” (2016), both delving into supernatural horror with local folklore influences. Lately, “In Flames” (2023), a psychological horror premiered at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, indicates a move towards art-house aesthetics. Despite being small and working under restrictive content guidelines, Pakistan’s horror genre persists by employing hybrid storylines, festival showcases, and independent innovation.

“Deemak” is due for nationwide release across Pakistan on Eid ul Adha (June 6).

Watch the trailer here:

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2025-03-30 12:16