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Gul Makai is a 2020 Indian biographical drama film directed by H.E. Amjad Khan, written by Bhaswati Chakrabarty, and produced Tekno Films. The film is based on the life of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate.[2]
Reem Shaikh stars as Malala.[3] The film also features the late Om Puri in his final acting role.
Gul Makai accounts for the courageous journey and struggle of 2014 Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, starting from her humble upbringing in the Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan to her becoming the champion of free education for all women. When Swat Valley was seized by Taliban gunmen in 2009, Malala spoke out for the rights of girls, especially the right to receive a complete education. She started blogging on the BBC Urdu website under the pseudonym Gul Makai, against the oppression faced by them in the Swat Valley. As she continued her activism, gaining worldwide recognition and support, she was hunted down and shot by a Taliban gunman as part of the organization's violent opposition to girls' education.
H.E. Amjad Khan decided to make a film on Malala's life and struggle in 2012, after the assassination attempt on her.[5] After the film was announced, Bhaswati Chakrabarty spent 4 years researching and writing the script.
Several hundred actresses had auditioned for the role of Malala by the time 16-year-old Bangladeshi student, Fatima Sheikh, was cast.[6][7] Sheikh's casting resulted in severe backlash from religious extremists and despite efforts to conceal her identity, the actress ultimately had to turn down the role due to safety concerns. The role was then offered to child actress Reem Shaikh.[8]
Veteran Bollywood actors Om Puri, Divya Dutta, Mukesh Rishi and Arif Zakaria were revealed in supporting roles. According to Khan, physical resemblance to the characters' real-life counterparts was given special consideration during casting.[9]
Gul Makai went into production in late 2016 on location in Bhuj (Gujarat) and Mumbai.[10] Portions of the film set to shoot in Kashmir at the time were postponed due to the region's ongoing conflict.[11] Filming resumed in January 2018 and was completed the same month.
The film was edited by National Award-winning editor, Praveen Angre, and went through extensive VFX work to recreate the Swat Valley landscape and combat scenes.
The film's score was composed by Amar Mohile. The title song was written by Bhaswati Chakrabarty and the remaining songs were written and composed by H.E. Amjad Khan.