Pakistani actress Saboor Aly has expressed disappointment after independent filmmaker Muhammad Harry alleged that individuals associated with the mainstream film industry attempted to prevent the release of his short film about legendary Pakistani athlete Abdul Khaliq.
The controversy has drawn attention to the challenges faced by independent filmmakers who want to tell stories about national icons and share their work through digital platforms.
Muhammad Harry, also known online as oyyeharry, said he and his team spent approximately three to four months developing the project. According to the filmmaker, he had shared a teaser on Instagram around a month before the planned release.
However, Harry alleged that he began receiving messages, phone calls, and emails warning him against using Abdul Khaliq’s name and the film’s title.
According to his account, some individuals argued that a separate feature film about the celebrated athlete had been made or was in production, reportedly involving a budget of Rs. 1.5 billion to Rs. 2 billion. He claimed that legal action was threatened if he proceeded with releasing his short film.
Harry maintained that his project was entirely different in scale and purpose. He described it as a six- to seven-minute tribute intended for digital platforms rather than a commercial cinema release.
The filmmaker also stressed that his production did not have the backing of a major studio and was not intended to compete with a large-scale feature film. He denied copying another production’s script or screenplay, presenting his work as an independent effort to honour an important figure in Pakistan’s sporting history.
Harry further alleged that he was warned that publishing the short film on YouTube could cause considerable damage because the platform reaches audiences internationally. These claims have not been independently established, and the individuals allegedly involved have not been identified in the provided report.
Despite the reported pressure, Harry defended his decision to pursue the project and share his tribute with viewers. His account has prompted discussion about creative freedom, ownership of film projects, and the difficulties independent creators may encounter when working on subjects also being explored by larger productions.
Reacting to the controversy on Instagram, Saboor Aly expressed her disappointment in a brief comment.
“Honestly, just sad and disappointing,” the actress wrote.
Although her response was short, it added a public show of support to the discussion surrounding Harry’s allegations. Saboor did not elaborate further in the comment provided in the report.
Harry is known for creating cinematic short films and digital storytelling projects. His work includes The Flying Bird of Asia, based on the life of Abdul Khaliq, as well as projects such as Landa Bazaar and Qalakar.
Abdul Khaliq, remembered as one of Pakistan’s celebrated sprinters, earned recognition for his achievements in athletics and became widely associated with the nickname “The Flying Bird of Asia.”
The latest controversy has brought renewed attention to Harry’s tribute and the broader question of how independent filmmakers can bring stories about national personalities to digital audiences. For now, the claims of industry pressure remain allegations, while Saboor Aly’s reaction has added another voice to the ongoing conversation.