LAHORE-An 80-mintue television film ‘Ek thi Marium’ on Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot Marium Muskhtar who died in the line of duty will go on air today.

She died after a Pakistan Air Force FT-7PG aircraft crashed near Kundian in Mianwali District on November 24, 2015. Marium Mukhtiar was Pakistan’s first and only female fighter pilot who died performing her duties.

The television film titled Ek Thi Marium (Once there was a Marium) is Produced by Nina Kashif and directed by Sarmad Sultan Khoosat and written by Umera Ahmad.

The television film features Sanam Baloch in the lead role of Marium along with Hina Khawaja Bayat and Behroze Sabzwari. The film will go on air today on Urdu 1 television channel.

Director Sarmad Sultan Khoosat talking to The Nation said that the reason behind making the film was to celebrate and recognize our heroes. “Pakistan has many heroes. The trend of not remembering our heroes very much prevails in our country. The film is a little contribution to recognizing our heroes.

“Our nation should admire and feel inspired from the only female fighter pilot of our country who died in the line of duty,” Sarmad said. 

Sarmad brilliantly came up with his directorial debut film Manto based on the life of short story writer Saadat Hassan Manto.

Sarmad said the film narrates story of Marium Mukhtar’s life starting from childhood to her ambitious journey that led her to become Pakistan’s first female fighter pilot. “Ek Thi Marium will surely rekindle memories about our heroes of Pakistan who worked selflessly and died in the line of duty.

“Movies on our heroes remind us as to how brave they were. It is high time we recognize the services of our real life heroes. They can be role model for new generation and inspire them to work hard for the country. Marium for example inspires young girls to become fighter pilot like she was,” Sarmad maintained.  Government of Pakistan awarded Tamgha-e-Basalat a military award to Marium Mukhtar. Pakistan Senate Standing Committee on Defence (SSCD) recommended Marium Mukhtiar for a state award.