Proud moment for Okhla! Aqdas documentary on Muzaffar Hanafi wins prestigious award

Proud moment for Okhla! Aqdas documentary on Muzaffar Hanafi wins prestigious award

Young filmmaker Aqdas Sami has ascended to acclaim by winning the Raj Kapoor Festival Mention Award and “3rd Best Documentary – India” Award at the Global Independent Film Festival of India (GIFFI) for his documentary “Muzaffar ke Naam”. His documentary has also got selected in Indian International Short Film Festival Awards (ISFFA) and the Madras Independent Film Festival (MIFF).

“I’m thrilled to receive the Raj Kapoor Festival Mention Award and the 3rd Best Documentary Award at the Global Independent Film Festival. The Raj Kapoor Award is a significant achievement. Grateful for the recognition, I look forward to continuing to amplify meaningful voices. Sharing Professor Muzaffar Hanafi’s story was crucial, and I’m dedicated to spotlighting such narratives in my future documentaries,” said Aqdas, who is not only a skilled documentary filmmaker but also a specialised sound designer.

Holding a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aqdas is dedicated to exploring the intricacies of the human experience and highlighting crucial social issues through the medium of film. He has previously worked in documentaries like “Aruna Vasudev -Mother of Asian Cinema” and “Ruuposh”, both of which received numerous selections and awards.

Feroz Muzaffar, the son of Muzaffar Hanfi, who has also been interviewed in the documentary, said: “I extend my congratulations to the entire documentary team, with special acknowledgment to Aqdas. The film production team has created an important work which is well researched. This will help in igniting a fresh discussion in literary circles about my father Muzaffar Hanfi.”
Feroz is a retired civil engineer from the MCD and a writer with several books to his credit has been working on the legacy of his father for many years.

Film details:
“Muzaffar ke Naam” paints a poignant portrait of Professor Muzaffar Hanfi, a luminary in Urdu Poetry, literary criticism, and theory. The documentary embarks on a compelling journey, unveiling Professor Hanfi’s humble origins and tracing his esteemed position in academia. It sheds light on the challenges he faced, from financial struggles to familial responsibilities, throughout his remarkable journey.
At its core, this documentary stands as a powerful testament to the life of a poet whose undeniable talent often went unrecognised. It vividly captures the struggles artists face in a world that, at times, overlooks their true brilliance.

Film production details:
Produced by Tasveer Culture, the film brings to life the profound narrative of Professor Muzaffar Hanfi with cinematic finesse and emotional depth. Shabnawaz Ahmed and Md Shadab Sarwar were part of prodcution team.