Veteran actor Manzoor Murad, one of the most celebrated stars of PTV’s classic era and a prominent figure in Sindhi cinema, has officially joined the cast of Pakistan’s first digital Sindhi feature film, MARVI.
Announcing the development, *Umar Khitab Khan, the writer and director of *MARVI, described Murad’s inclusion as both a personal milestone and an essential part of bringing the story to life on the big screen.
“Manzoor Murad is one of the finest actors our industry has ever produced. Through his remarkable performances in Urdu and Sindhi television dramas, as well as Sindhi feature films, he earned the admiration of audiences across generations,” Khan said.
The filmmaker recalled that Murad’s association with the story of Marvi goes back decades. In Sultana Siddiqui’s iconic PTV production Marvi,* the veteran actor portrayed Marvi’s fiancé, a character widely regarded as the story’s true hero.
“When I began writing the screenplay for MARVI, I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to create a special role specifically for Manzoor Murad. To me, MARVI on the silver screen would feel incomplete without his presence,” Khan added.
Paying tribute to the veteran performer’s career, Khan said he believes Murad’s immense talent has never been utilized to the extent it deserved.
“Manzoor Murad possesses extraordinary acting abilities and a stature that deserved far greater opportunities. Unfortunately, the decline of Sindhi cinema, combined with his own humility and grace, meant that audiences did not get to see enough of his remarkable talent on the big screen.”
Expressing his gratitude, Khan said working alongside Manzoor Murad and other senior artists is one of the greatest privileges of making MARVI.
“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the finest talent our industry has produced, especially respected seniors like Manzoor Murad. Their experience, dedication, and artistic excellence are invaluable to this project.”
Khan also reiterated his broader vision for the revival of Sindhi cinema.
“The revival of Sindhi cinema has always been my dream. I sincerely hope that after MARVI, many more Sindhi films will go into production, creating meaningful opportunities for our talented artists and allowing legends like Manzoor Murad to once again grace the silver screen they truly belong on.”
Currently in the final stages of casting, MARVI is Pakistan’s first digital Sindhi feature film, envisioned as a landmark project to revive Sindhi cinema through contemporary filmmaking, compelling storytelling, and an ensemble cast featuring some of Pakistan’s most accomplished television and theatre artists.
