Pakistani actress Ayeza Khan has congratulated Patakha Pictures on completing five years, praising Oscar-winning filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy for creating opportunities for women filmmakers to share powerful stories that often remain unheard.
In a message shared on Instagram, Ayeza highlighted the importance of supporting emerging filmmakers and providing them with a platform to present their perspectives to wider audiences. She also appreciated the initiative’s efforts to showcase a side of Pakistan that rarely receives sufficient attention.
The actress wished Patakha Pictures continued success in producing meaningful stories, supporting new talent and breaking barriers in the filmmaking industry. Her message added to the celebrations marking the initiative’s fifth anniversary.
Patakha Pictures is an initiative of SOC Films, founded by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. It supports emerging filmmakers, particularly women, through mentorship and funding opportunities that help them develop documentary projects and bring their ideas to the screen.
The initiative focuses on stories rooted in social issues, personal experiences and communities whose voices deserve greater recognition. By helping filmmakers develop their projects, Patakha Pictures aims to broaden representation in Pakistan’s documentary filmmaking landscape.
Over the past five years, the platform has worked to encourage women to explore subjects that might otherwise receive limited attention. Its approach gives emerging storytellers opportunities to document real-life experiences and present complex social realities through film.
The anniversary celebration also highlighted projects developed through the initiative, including The Horses Know Her Name. The documentary follows a woman who finds strength through her relationship with horses and enters the traditionally male-dominated sport of tent pegging.
The story reflects themes of determination, personal growth and challenging established gender expectations. Its focus on a woman pursuing her passion in a competitive sporting environment illustrates the type of individual experience that documentary filmmaking can bring to a wider audience.
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has earned international recognition for her filmmaking, particularly her documentaries addressing social issues. Through SOC Films and initiatives such as Patakha Pictures, she has continued to support storytelling that brings overlooked experiences and perspectives into public discussion.
Meanwhile, Ayeza Khan’s appearance at the anniversary celebration also attracted attention on social media. The actress wore a white dress, prompting mixed reactions from users online.
Some commenters criticised her outfit and compared it with their recollections of her earlier comments about clothing. Others speculated about her marriage to actor Danish Taimoor based on her fashion choices. These reactions remained part of the online discussion surrounding her appearance, separate from the initiative’s anniversary and its work supporting women filmmakers.
Despite the debate over her outfit, Ayeza’s congratulatory message focused on the importance of creating opportunities for emerging talent and encouraging women to tell their stories.
Patakha Pictures’ fifth anniversary marks a milestone in its efforts to support documentary filmmaking in Pakistan. By providing mentorship, funding and a platform for new voices, the initiative seeks to help filmmakers explore important social themes and bring underrepresented experiences to wider audiences.
Ayeza Khan’s recognition of the initiative also highlights the growing conversation around women’s representation in creative industries and the value of supporting storytellers who bring fresh perspectives to Pakistani cinema.