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    <title>Aaj TV English News - Life &amp; Style - Entertainment</title>
    <link>https://english.aaj.tv/</link>
    <description>Aaj TV English</description>
    <language>en-Us</language>
    <copyright>Copyright 2026</copyright>
    <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:52:59 +0500</pubDate>
    <lastBuildDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:52:59 +0500</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>Short film ‘Jamun Ka Darakht’ receives Best Short Film at US film festival</title>
      <link>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330358848/short-film-jamun-ka-darakht-receives-best-short-film-at-us-film-festival</link>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In a recent Instagram announcement, acclaimed filmmaker Rafay Rashdi shared the exhilarating news that his short film titled “Jamun Ka Darakht” achieved a remarkable double victory at the South Asian International Film Festival in Florida.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The film received both the highly coveted Best Short Film award as well as the prestigious Best Actor award.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Overflowing with gratitude for this momentous recognition, Rashdi expressed his joy and was overflowed with gratitude for this recognition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;He stated, “This is my first-ever award, excluding the one I received in grade 2, of course. I am deeply thankful to the jury and extend my gratitude to &lt;a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://twitter.com/saiff_florida"&gt;@saiff_florida&lt;/a&gt; for their wonderful hospitality. I believe in the greatness of God. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on this incredible moment.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;    &lt;figure class='media  sm:w-full  w-full  media--stretch  media--embed  media--uneven'&gt;
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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ASlQWA8Gz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;amp;ig_rid=e6951d15-258e-4386-9acf-dd6920df550b" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
        &lt;figcaption class='media__caption  '&gt;Instagram/@rafayrashdi&lt;/figcaption&gt;
    &lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Adnan Siddiqui, the esteemed recipient of the Best Actor award, also took to social media to share his excitement.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;After enduring a period of criticism for his controversial comparison of women to flies, Siddiqui acknowledged his latest achievement, tweeting, “It is an immense honor to win the Best Actor award at the South Asian Film International Festival Florida (SAIFF) for my movie ‘Jamun Ka Darakht.’ A huge congratulations to the entire team for also securing the Best Short Film award. I am grateful to everyone involved.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;    &lt;figure class='media  w-full  w-full  media--stretch  media--embed  media--uneven'&gt;
        &lt;div class='media__item  media__item--twitter  '&gt;&lt;span&gt;
    &lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"&gt;
        &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/adnanactor/status/1782082832057389113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1782082832057389113%7Ctwgr%5Ece1386f1640d9d53d94ce04a2cc1d7a4259d979f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2463482%2Fjamun-ka-darakht-bags-best-short-film-best-actor-us-film-fest"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;
    &lt;/blockquote&gt;
&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
        
    &lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Jamun Ka Darakht,” a highly acclaimed project in the realm of Pakistani cinema, artfully weaves a narrative depicting women entangled within the fashion industry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Exploring themes of mutual consent and self-realization, the film promises an intense and captivating viewing experience through its intricate storytelling.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The film’s exceptional craftsmanship was recognized earlier when it was selected to be showcased at the esteemed Cannes World Film Festival, renowned for highlighting films and documentaries that address human rights, social justice, health, and disability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With a screenplay penned by renowned screenwriter Bee Gul and directed by Rafay Rashdi, “Jamun Ka Darakht” features Adnan Siddiqui in the role of Karim, alongside actor and model Fouzia Aman and Maha Tahirani.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This short film is about the &lt;a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://nexttvc.com/jamun-ka-darakht-teaser-awkwardly-brings-up-consent-issues/"&gt;women captured in the fashion industry&lt;/a&gt;, covering elements such as self-realization and consensuality.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It explores themes such as harassment, assault and lust without boundaries.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;    &lt;figure class='media  sm:w-full  w-full  media--stretch  media--embed  media--uneven'&gt;
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border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2AJPLgAna-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;amp;ig_rid=6a3282f3-9295-49d7-94b3-e17ff2a12b75" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank"&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;&lt;/div&gt;
        &lt;figcaption class='media__caption  '&gt;Movie trailer of Jamun ka Darkht. Instagram/@rafayrashdi&lt;/figcaption&gt;
    &lt;/figure&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
      <content:encoded xmlns="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"><![CDATA[<p><strong>In a recent Instagram announcement, acclaimed filmmaker Rafay Rashdi shared the exhilarating news that his short film titled “Jamun Ka Darakht” achieved a remarkable double victory at the South Asian International Film Festival in Florida.</strong></p>
<p>The film received both the highly coveted Best Short Film award as well as the prestigious Best Actor award.</p>
<p>Overflowing with gratitude for this momentous recognition, Rashdi expressed his joy and was overflowed with gratitude for this recognition.</p>
<p>He stated, “This is my first-ever award, excluding the one I received in grade 2, of course. I am deeply thankful to the jury and extend my gratitude to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://twitter.com/saiff_florida">@saiff_florida</a> for their wonderful hospitality. I believe in the greatness of God. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on this incredible moment.”</p>
<p>    <figure class='media  sm:w-full  w-full  media--stretch  media--embed  media--uneven'>
        <div class='media__item  media__item--instagram  media__item--relative'><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ASlQWA8Gz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=e6951d15-258e-4386-9acf-dd6920df550b" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ASlQWA8Gz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=e6951d15-258e-4386-9acf-dd6920df550b" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ASlQWA8Gz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=e6951d15-258e-4386-9acf-dd6920df550b" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank"></a></p></div></blockquote><script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
        <figcaption class='media__caption  '>Instagram/@rafayrashdi</figcaption>
    </figure></p>
<p>Adnan Siddiqui, the esteemed recipient of the Best Actor award, also took to social media to share his excitement.</p>
<p>After enduring a period of criticism for his controversial comparison of women to flies, Siddiqui acknowledged his latest achievement, tweeting, “It is an immense honor to win the Best Actor award at the South Asian Film International Festival Florida (SAIFF) for my movie ‘Jamun Ka Darakht.’ A huge congratulations to the entire team for also securing the Best Short Film award. I am grateful to everyone involved.”</p>
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        <div class='media__item  media__item--twitter  '><span>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
        <a href="https://twitter.com/adnanactor/status/1782082832057389113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1782082832057389113%7Ctwgr%5Ece1386f1640d9d53d94ce04a2cc1d7a4259d979f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2463482%2Fjamun-ka-darakht-bags-best-short-film-best-actor-us-film-fest"></a>
    </blockquote>
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    </figure></p>
<p>“Jamun Ka Darakht,” a highly acclaimed project in the realm of Pakistani cinema, artfully weaves a narrative depicting women entangled within the fashion industry.</p>
<p>Exploring themes of mutual consent and self-realization, the film promises an intense and captivating viewing experience through its intricate storytelling.</p>
<p>The film’s exceptional craftsmanship was recognized earlier when it was selected to be showcased at the esteemed Cannes World Film Festival, renowned for highlighting films and documentaries that address human rights, social justice, health, and disability.</p>
<p>With a screenplay penned by renowned screenwriter Bee Gul and directed by Rafay Rashdi, “Jamun Ka Darakht” features Adnan Siddiqui in the role of Karim, alongside actor and model Fouzia Aman and Maha Tahirani.</p>
<p>This short film is about the <a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="link--external" href="https://nexttvc.com/jamun-ka-darakht-teaser-awkwardly-brings-up-consent-issues/">women captured in the fashion industry</a>, covering elements such as self-realization and consensuality.</p>
<p>It explores themes such as harassment, assault and lust without boundaries.</p>
<p>    <figure class='media  sm:w-full  w-full  media--stretch  media--embed  media--uneven'>
        <div class='media__item  media__item--instagram  media__item--relative'><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2AJPLgAna-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=6a3282f3-9295-49d7-94b3-e17ff2a12b75" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2AJPLgAna-/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=6a3282f3-9295-49d7-94b3-e17ff2a12b75" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; 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transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; 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        <figcaption class='media__caption  '>Movie trailer of Jamun ka Darkht. Instagram/@rafayrashdi</figcaption>
    </figure></p>
]]></content:encoded>
      <category>Life &amp; Style</category>
      <guid>https://english.aaj.tv/news/330358848</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:48:15 +0500</pubDate>
      <author>none@none.com (Web Desk)</author>
      <media:content url="https://i.aaj.tv/large/2024/04/221544266abbc7e.webp?r=154505" type="image/webp" medium="image" height="480" width="800">
        <media:thumbnail url="https://i.aaj.tv/thumbnail/2024/04/221544266abbc7e.webp?r=154505"/>
        <media:title>The poster of short film ‘Jamun ka Darkht’
</media:title>
      </media:content>
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