Ek Thi Marium (2016)

Interesting facts

Ek Thi Marium is a 2016 Pakistani biographical television film based on the life of Pakistani female fighter pilot Marium Mukhtiar. Produced by Nina Kashif, it is directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and written by Umera Ahmad. It features Sanam Baloch in the title role of Marium Mukhtiar, while Hina Khawaja Bayat and Behroze Sabzwari the played roles of Marium's parents. It was premiered on Defence Day 2016 on Urdu 1. Upon release, the film as well as Baloch's performance received critical acclaim. On 21 October 2016, the film was released in Cinepax nationwide.

Production

Initially Mehreen Jabbar was associated with Urdu1 for the telefilm on the first female fighter Pilot of Pakistan, Marium Mukhtar, who died on 24 November 2015, in the line of duty when her FT-7PG aircraft crashed near Kundian in Mianwali District in the northwest of Punjab, and was assigned to direct the film but due to her commitments to her film Dobara Phir Se she left the project, but assisted throughout the telefilm.

In June 2016, Sanam Baloch was cast to portray Mukhtar, she said "When I came to know it’s about Marium Mukhtar and I had to portray her, I decided I have to do it no matter what, although I was in talks with someone else as well for July". She was approached by channel Urdu1 and she said, "Urdu1 along with Mehreen Jabbar directly approached me for the tele-film. Also when I came to know Umera has written it, I couldn't refuse it.

In order to draw more reality to the character Baloch had to attend pilot training to learn key points, she said "before the shoot, I had spent first two days with the cadets so I can adapt to their environment and body language at the Air Force Academy. I have a couple of Air force people and trainers at the shoot (set), who are helping me out with it.

To prepare for her role as a fighter pilot, she dwelt among cadets during shootings and went through hectic physical training. In an interview she explained, "I still haven’t been able to decipher my method to acting. It just happens there and then. Maybe I want to be in the moment while it is being done.

Principal photography began in late July 2016. The film was shot in Risalpur and in Karachi. Before the shoot, Sanam went through training at the Pakistan Air Force Academy. Assistant director Syed Nabeel Ali Jafri said, "We did the principal photography in late July and most of the film was shot outdoors so it was extremely difficult.

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