Zaid Hassan

"Ghusl" is inspired by the moment I learned my father might not survive his heart attack and as a Muslim son, I would be obligated to perform ghusl, the ritual cleansing of his body. Thankfully, he recovered, but the experience revealed how families lose touch with cultural practices and their deeper meaning. This film follows a father and son confronting mortality as the son learns the proper burial rituals. At its core, it's a love story exploring sacrifice and the universal struggle of letting go. My hope is to bridge cultures and show how we are more similar than different.

As a young Muslim Pakistani, I had to grow up watching films where people that looked like me fought against the people I wanted to be. Islam is a religion based on peace, equality, and love but movies rarely portray that. 'Sultana' aspires to change this narrative. It is a story with strong Muslim characters that choose love over violence and peace over pain. We have crafted a film that Muslims and non-Muslims can root for: a regal epic that will help educate the world on who the fearless leader Razia Sultana really was.

I made Sultana because I saw a gap in the market for authentic Muslim stories in film. Instead of focusing on violence, I wanted to tell a coming-of-age story about the first Muslim queen of Delhi—one centered on peace, love, and forgiveness. Her journey challenged stereotypes and highlighted the rich, untold narratives within Muslim history. Through Sultana, I aimed to show that there are countless Muslim stories still waiting to be explored, offering fresh perspectives beyond the usual portrayals. It was important to me to bring this unique and inspiring story to the screen.