Saboor Aly Calls Alleged Pressure on Filmmaker Disappointing

“Honestly, Just Sad and Disappointing”: Saboor Aly Reacts to Film Controversy

By News Desk Last updated Oct 27, 2026

ISLAMABAD: (Web Desk) pakistani actress Saboor Aly has expressed disappointment over allegations by independent filmmaker Muhammad Harry that people associated with the mainstream film industry attempted to prevent the release of his short film paying tribute to legendary Pakistani athlete Abdul Khaliq.

Harry, who reportedly spent three to four months developing the project with his team, claimed he faced pressure shortly before the film’s planned release. He had shared a teaser for the project on Instagram around a month earlier.

According to the filmmaker, he received messages, phone calls and emails warning him against using Abdul Khaliq’s name and the film’s title.

Harry alleged that some industry figures pointed to a separate feature film reportedly made or in production about the same sporting icon, with an estimated budget of Rs1.5 billion to Rs2 billion. He claimed they also threatened legal action if he proceeded with releasing his short film.

The filmmaker said his project, titled The Flying Bird of Asia, was a six-to-seven-minute tribute intended for digital platforms. He maintained that it was neither planned for a commercial theatrical release nor backed by a major production company.

Harry also denied copying any script or screenplay, arguing that his independent project was not competing with a large-scale feature film about the same personality.

He further alleged that he was warned that releasing the short film on YouTube could cause significant damage because of the platform’s international reach.

Despite the alleged pressure, Harry defended his decision to produce and share the tribute independently.

Reacting to the controversy on Instagram, Saboor Aly wrote: “Honestly, just sad and disappointing.”

Muhammad Harry, also known online as oyyeharry, is an independent Pakistani filmmaker and digital storyteller. His projects include The Flying Bird of Asia, based on the life of Abdul Khaliq, as well as Landa Bazaar and Qalakar.

The allegations have drawn attention to the challenges independent filmmakers may face when developing projects about prominent public figures. The claims regarding industry pressure and possible legal action have not been independently verified.