Film Javed Iqbal: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer starring actor Yasir Hussain and Ayesha Omar is all set for a world premiere as the movie for the opening night of the 2022 UK Asian Film Festival, as reported by entertainment news outlet Deadline.

The film was banned by the censorboard in Pakistan two days before its nationwide release on January 28th this year. It will now see the light of day on May 4th at London’s BFI Southbank.

Hussain shared the news on his Instagram profile lamenting the ban on the project. “It's a matter of great pride that the UK Asian Film Festival has honoured our film but sadly, sometimes our own people cannot recognise local content.”

“Pakistan has banned this Pakistani story but you should watch five local films made on our culture,” he said.

The actor thanked the film’s writer-director Abu Aleeha and producer Javed Ahmed Kakepoto for “making this different movie.”

He further criticised bloggers focusing more on divorce stories (possibly pointing to Sajal Aly and Ahad Raza Mir’s divorce) than sharing important news like the premiere of his film.

According to Deadline, UK Asian Film Festival Founder and Director, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry said, “The importance of this film cannot be underestimated. It brings to light an issue – the abuse and mass murder of young boys – that is of the utmost importance and yet rarely discussed." “It has always been far too convenient for South Asian societies to brush such issues under the carpet but only by creating safe spaces in which to confront these issues and their root causes can we begin to create the meaningful social change we need. In that way we all owe a debt of gratitude to the creators of this film.”

The UK Asian Film Festival is a British film festival organised by the not-for-profit organisation Tongues on Fire Ltd. It takes place annually and is the leading South Asian film festival in Europe.

This year’s fest is themed ‘Dare To Dream', commemorating 75 years of India and Pakistan’s Independence.