Ismail Jilani ( ur, ) is a Pakistani
director
Director may refer to:
Literature
* ''Director'' (magazine), a British magazine
* ''The Director'' (novel), a 1971 novel by Henry Denker
* ''The Director'' (play), a 2000 play by Nancy Hasty
Music
* Director (band), an Irish rock band
* ''D ...
,
documentary film
A documentary film or documentary is a non-fictional motion-picture intended to "document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record". Bill Nichols has characterized the documentary in te ...
maker,
media activist and former
officer
An officer is a person who has a position of authority in a hierarchical organization. The term derives from Old French ''oficier'' "officer, official" (early 14c., Modern French ''officier''), from Medieval Latin ''officiarius'' "an officer," f ...
of the
Pakistani Army
The Pakistan Army (, ) is the land service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. The roots of its modern existence trace back to the British Indian Army that ceased to exist following the Partition of British India, which occurred as a result ...
. He came to prominence for his 2005 reality show ''
George Ka Pakistan'' which is considered to be one of
South Asia
South Asia is the southern subregion of Asia, which is defined in both geographical
Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth descr ...
's first original reality TV shows. He then directed ''Zara Sochiye'', a show based on his political campaign which garnered great attention by public. In 2013 he directed the critically and financially successful Pakistani political thriller film ''
Chambaili
''Chambaili'' ( ur, ) is a 2013 Pakistani Urdu-language political thriller film directed by Ismail Jilani, produced by Abdullah Kadwani and Shahzad Nawaz for Coup d'état Films and 7th Sky Films. It stars Salmaan Peerzada, Khalid Ahmed, Mohamme ...
''.
Personal life
Ismail Jilani born to Muslim parents in Karachi. His father Syed Iqbal Shah was also a filmmaker who made the first Pakistani animated film in 1960. Jilani attenuated Junior Cadets Academy Mangla and then joined
Pakistan Military Academy
Pakistan Military Academy ( ur, ), also referred to by its acronym PMA. PMA is an officers training school located near Kakul village in the city and district of Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa established in 1947. It is the sole service academy ...
where he received double
bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Middle Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six ...
in
mathematics and
physics
Physics is the natural science that studies matter, its fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge which r ...
. He then received a
diploma in
film and
video making from the Academy of Photogenic Arts in Sydney, Australia.
Work and career
Ismail Jilani has directed and edited a number of television productions from dramas to documentaries, magazine/reality shows to commercials and broadcast campaigns.
As director, cameraman and editor, his most popular show was ''
George Ka Pakistan'' that was telecast on
Geo TV
Geo Television Network is a television channel based in Pakistan. It was established in May 2002 and is owned by the Jang Media Group. The channel began its test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning on 1 October 2 ...
. A show about the British journalist
George Fulton
George Fulton (born 10 November 1977 in Birkenhead, Merseyside, United Kingdom) is a British-Pakistani television journalist, writer and producer. Born and raised in Birkenhead, he first visited Pakistan to launch a BBC produced political talk ...
who experienced staying nine years in Pakistan. The show is considered to be a first original reality show of South Asia that set new standards of popularity for satellite viewing in Pakistan and the Pakistani diaspora abroad.
Ismail has started a campaign ''Zara Sochiye'' a campaign series that caught the public's attention and set course for
media activism
Claudia Romina Sánchez Del Real
Media activism is a broad category of activism that utilizes media and communication technologies for social and political movements. Methods of media activism include publishing news on websites, creating video ...
in Pakistan was on the taboo subject of ''
Hudood Ordinance
The Hudood Ordinances (Urdu ; also Romanized Hadood, Hadud, Hudud; singular form is ''Hadh'' or ''hadd'') are laws in Pakistan that were enacted in 1979 as part of then military ruler Zia-ul-Haq's "Islamisation" process. It replaced parts of the ...
''. This campaign is cited in contemporary media history as one of the biggest print and broadcast campaign in Pakistan that ultimately led to the amendments that were introduced in the Hudood laws in the parliament through legislature
Jilani also made a documentary on ''Bonded Labour'', that also proves beneficial and was short-listed for International Media Excellence Awards in 2009. Ismail has worked at
Indus Vision
Indus Media Group (also abbreviated as, IMG) is a Pakistani company broadcasting a mix of free-to-air news and entertainment channels via satellite.
IMG owns and operates the Indus brand of television channels in various global markets. It o ...
,
Geo TV
Geo Television Network is a television channel based in Pakistan. It was established in May 2002 and is owned by the Jang Media Group. The channel began its test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning on 1 October 2 ...
and
ARY Digital Network as a director, executive producer and editor in many programs and shows.
''Chambaili''
In 2011 Ismail Jilani started working on Shahzad Nawaz script, and it took half and year to complete the screenplay process, in 2012 production began and film released on April 26, 2013 under the banner of
Geo Films
''Geo Films'' is a film production and distribution company owned by Geo Television Network based in Karachi, Pakistan. ''Geo Films'' distributes Hollywood, Lollywood
Lollywood ( ur, , translit=lâli vuḍ) refers to Pakistan's film in ...
. Jilani stated that "We wanted to mobilize the people before the elections, We wanted them to come out of the cinema and feel like they wanted to change something". ''Chambailli'' grossed Rs 37.8 crore at the box office. At its release, the film surpassed Bollywood's ''
Aashiqui 2
''Aashiqui 2'' () is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language romantic musical drama film directed by Mohit Suri and produced by Mukesh Bhatt, Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under the Vishesh Films and T-Series Films, with Mahesh Bhatt serving as ...
'' and Hollywood's ''
Oblivion'' at the Pakistani box office. It was discussed in the national media, and has been praised for its contribution to democracy in Pakistan. ''Chambaili'' has been credited with galvanizing non-voters and youth to vote in the
2013 Pakistani general elections, which had a large turnout. Political parties in the country played songs from its soundtrack during campaign rallies, as young people resonated with the film and its music as part of increased social and political activism.
Filmography
Programs and TV Shows
References
External links
*
*
;Other links
''Ismail Jinali''on ''Chambaili''
''Ismail Jilani''on
Daily Times
*
*
''Zara Sochiey''on
Geo TV
Geo Television Network is a television channel based in Pakistan. It was established in May 2002 and is owned by the Jang Media Group. The channel began its test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning on 1 October 2 ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jilani, Ismail
Living people
Pakistani film producers
Pakistani Muslims
Film directors from Karachi
Pakistan Military Academy alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)