Jujji
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Jujji is a Pakistani neo-noir crime thriller film directed and produced by Habib Shahzad with screenplay by Ahmad Umar Ayaz. The story follows two police officers — one idealistic, one cynical — as they pursue a brutal serial killer in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. After initial festival screenings in 2024, the film was acquired for worldwide distribution by Buffalo 8 and is scheduled for general release on 21 November 2025."Pakistani Crime Thriller 'Jujji' Acquired by Buffalo 8". Variety. 15 October 2025. https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-buffalo-8-1236554322/.
Plot
Set against the streets of Rawalpindi, the film centers on two police officers who track a serial killer known as "Jujji." As the investigation progresses, the pair confront moral ambiguity, institutional corruption and their own personal failings while the body count rises. (Summary adapted from distributor and press materials.)[1]
The film explores how the investigation into a series of killings becomes deeply personal, forcing both men to confront their moral boundaries and blurring the lines between justice and vengeance."Pakistani crime thriller ‘Jujji’ trailer: How hunt for a serial killer turns personal in Rawalpindi — here’s when & where to watch". India Times. 17 October 2025. https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-trailer-how-hunt-for-a-serial-killer-turns-personal-in-rawalpindi-heres-when-where-to-watch/articleshow/124627627.html.
Cast
Production
Jujji was produced by BHM Films in collaboration with Yūgen Studios and other partners. The screenplay is by Ahmad Umar Ayaz and principal production credits listed on industry databases include Habib Shahzad as director/producer and Furqan Gul (cinematography) and Abdul Basit (editing) among the crew.[3]
According to several articles, Jujji began as a two-year grassroots project to bring Rawalpindi’s stories to the screen. “We wanted to capture the soul of Rawalpindi while making it universally human,” director Habib Shahzad said."Pakistani crime thriller ‘Jujji’ picked up for global release by Buffalo 8". HUM English. 17 October 2025. https://humenglish.com/latest/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-picked-up-for-global-release-by-buffalo-8/.
The film was shot entirely on location in Rawalpindi, using minimal artificial lighting to retain natural shadows and authentic city textures. According to The Express Tribune, production “spanned two years and was shot entirely on location in Rawalpindi.”"'Jujji' puts Pindi on global cinema map". The Express Tribune. 22 October 2025. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2573504/jujji-puts-pindi-on-global-cinema-map.
Produced by BHM Films in collaboration with Yūgen Studios and Lollipop, Jujji represents a new wave of independent Pakistani cinema aiming at global markets."Pakistani Crime Thriller “Jujji” Secures Global Release Through Buffalo 8". ProPakistani. 16 October 2025. https://propakistani.pk/lens/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-secures-global-release-through-buffalo-8/.
Release
In October 2025, Santa Monica-based distributor Buffalo 8 announced the acquisition of worldwide rights to the film."Pakistani crime thriller ‘Jujji’ picked up for global release by Buffalo 8". HUM English. 17 October 2025. https://humenglish.com/latest/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-picked-up-for-global-release-by-buffalo-8/.
The trailer release drew attention for its visuals and thematic stakes. According to India Times:
> “The trailer for Jujji … gives a peek into a world where every decision comes at a cost, and justice and revenge blur into one another.”"Pakistani crime thriller ‘Jujji’ trailer: How hunt for a serial killer turns personal in Rawalpindi — here’s when & where to watch". India Times. 17 October 2025. https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-trailer-how-hunt-for-a-serial-killer-turns-personal-in-rawalpindi-heres-when-where-to-watch/articleshow/124627627.html.
Distribution details list the film for on-demand release in the U.S. and U.K. via Amazon and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity on 21 November 2025, followed by additional territories."BHM FILMS AND YŪGEN STUDIOS ANNOUNCE International Release of True Crime Thriller Jujji". China Connect. 20 October 2025. https://chinaconnect.com.pk/bhm-films-and-yugen-studios-announce-international-release-of-true-crime-thriller-jujji/.
Reception
Trade outlets (Variety, The Friday Times) and national press coverage highlighted the film’s festival presence and Buffalo 8 acquisition, describing Jujji as a neo-noir/true-crime entry from Rawalpindi that has drawn international distribution interest, Industry critics called it the kind of film that challenges conventions while signalling the exciting global evolution of independent cinema .[4][5]
Industry and local coverage emphasised the film’s significance for Pakistani independent cinema. The Express Tribune described the acquisition as sending “a ripple through both the country’s film circles and international indie cinema networks.”"'Jujji' puts Pindi on global cinema map". The Express Tribune. 22 October 2025. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2573504/jujji-puts-pindi-on-global-cinema-map.
Director Shahzad said:
> “Jujji is not just a film — it’s a statement that Pakistani cinema can take risks and still resonate globally.”"Pakistani crime thriller ‘Jujji’ picked up for global release by Buffalo 8". HUM English. 17 October 2025. https://humenglish.com/latest/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-picked-up-for-global-release-by-buffalo-8/.
Buffalo 8’s Head of Distribution, Nikki Stier Justice, added:
> “From the first screening, Jujji stood out as a bold, genre-defying thriller that merges authentic South Asian storytelling with the universal appeal of true-crime cinema.”"Pakistani Crime Thriller “Jujji” Secures Global Release Through Buffalo 8". ProPakistani. 16 October 2025. https://propakistani.pk/lens/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-secures-global-release-through-buffalo-8/.
Technical details
Awards and festival screenings
The film lists several festival selections and awards on the distributor’s website: Best Film at the Gandhara Independent Film Festival 2024, Best Feature at the Punjab Police Film Festival 2024, and a screening at the Divvy Film Festival 2024."Jujji". Buffalo 8. https://buffalo8.com/project/jujji/.
Regional press confirm the mentions:
> “The acquisition marked … a rare moment when a story born in Rawalpindi’s streets found a global stage.”"'Jujji' puts Pindi on global cinema map". The Express Tribune. 22 October 2025. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2573504/jujji-puts-pindi-on-global-cinema-map.
See also
References
- ↑ "Jujji". Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jujji.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Jujji". Fandango Media. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jujji.
- ↑ "Jujji (2024)". IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34736903/.
- ↑ "Pakistani Crime Thriller 'Jujji' Acquired by Buffalo 8". Variety. 15 October 2025. https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pakistani-crime-thriller-jujji-buffalo-8-1236554322/.
- ↑ "Buffalo 8 Acquires Worldwide Rights To Pakistani True-Crime Thriller 'JUJJI'". The Friday Times. 19 October 2025. https://www.thefridaytimes.com/19-Oct-2025/buffalo-8-acquires-worldwide-rights-pakistani-true-crime-thriller-jujji/.
- ↑ "Jujji (2024) - Technical specs". IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34736903/technical.
- ↑ "Jujji". Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jujji.
External links
- Template:Official — Buffalo 8 project page for Jujji.
- Template:IMDb title — Jujji on IMDb.
- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jujji — Jujji at Rotten Tomatoes.
- https://letterboxd.com/film/jujji/ — Jujji at Letterboxd.[1]