Sarmad Khoosat’s Lali Secures a World Premiere at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival
Sarmad Khoosat’s upcoming film Lali (Redness; comes from red, a color associated with weddings in South Asia) is heading for its world premiere at the 76th Berlinale Film Festival — one of the world’s largest public film festivals, held annually in Berlin, Germany.
The news was announced through a single Instagram post, where the makers unveiled the film’s official poster via Lali’s official account.
“Our hearts are full of gratitude, of stories, of all those who held this film with care,” they wrote, confirming the film’s debut at the 10-day Berlinale 2026, scheduled to run from February 12 to 22.
The poster distills shaadi chaos into a single, crowded image, reflecting it through and through. Set inside a baraat bus, the frame is crammed with nosy and moody relatives. On the right sits the dulha, his face hidden behind a tacky sehra; opposite him is the bride, played by Mamya Shahjaffar, dressed as an old-school dulhan and looking visibly stunned. The image hints at a story rooted either in an earlier era or in the textures of lower-middle-class life.
Around them unfolds a familiar wedding tableau: a possibly disgruntled phuppo (paternal aunt), a curious cousin, unbothered uncles, and a handful of prying boys — each face suggesting its own backstory, each expression loaded with unspoken drama. It is the kind of frame that feels alive, chaotic, and deeply Pakistani.
Lali brings together a strong ensemble, including Joyland’s Rasti Farooq , seen in a grumpy avatar in the poster, and Churail’s star Meher Bano, alongside several other cast members.
The film features original songs by Punjabi hip-hop artist Star Shah, best known for 2AM from Coke Studio 15 , with the score composed by Abdullah Siddiqui.
A collaboration between Khoosat Films and Dubai-based Enso Studios , Lali also has Joyland director Saim Sadiq and actor Tooba Siddiqui among its executive producers.
As it heads to Berlin for its world premiere, Lali joins the growing list of Pakistani films finding their first audience on the world’s most influential festival circuits. - Images
