Film to capture Pakistani icon Imran Khan’s life

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Former cricketer Imran Khan’s political career and his complex relationship with his ex-wife Jemima are the focus of “Kaptaan”, an independent Pakistani film that is expected to be released later in 2011.

Faisal Aman Khan, a Britain-based independent filmmaker who is directing the film, met the cricketer-turned — politician several times while researching the project to get him to endorse the movie.

“Imran Khan was reluctant at first and claimed that it was more important to focus on other aspects of the country. Faisal’s persistence finally paid (off) in ultimately convincing him,” Naveed Anwar, the film's assistant director and screenwriter, told The Express Tribune newspaper.

The film, currently in post-production, will be ready for distribution this fall but its producers are tight-lipped about the scheduled release date, the report said.

The filmmakers plan to release “Kaptaan”, which has a cast of 107 actors, in Pakistan and abroad.

Director Khan had the idea of making the movie two years ago after he graduated from film school.

“We wanted to make a film that would project the positive side of Pakistan. It was hard as there are very few personalities in Pakistan that have a global appeal,” said assistant director Anwar.

Anwar, who has directed several short films, said “Kaptaan” centres round Imran Khan’s disappointment at Pakistan’s dismal state of affairs, which triggered his entry into politics.

It juxtaposes Khan’s struggle for Pakistan’s future with that of Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s, the country’s founder.

The film is based on Imran Khan’s life following the end of his cricket career.