Qouluf, the Ensorcelled
Qouluf, the Ensorcelled is a 2024 Indian Kashmiri-language drama film directed by Ali Emran and produced by Mrs. Yaqout Mushtaq under the banner Hot Ice. Released on 4 October 2024, the film was distributed by Seven 2 Creations. It was the first color Kashmiri-language feature to premiere at a cinema hall in Kashmir in over six decades.
Plot
“Qouluf” follows Razzak Reshi, a humble caretaker of an abandoned church in Kashmir. After a mysterious encounter with a child, he embarks on a spiritual journey guided by the mystical Rishi-Sufi traditions of Sheikh Nur al-Din Wali and Lal Ded. Confronting personal grief, moral dilemmas, and material temptations, Razzak seeks enlightenment and inner peace, embodying the essence of Kashmiriyat.[1]
Cast
- Bashir Dada as Razzak Reshi
- Nazir Josh
- M. Ameen
- Arof Zeeshan
- Hakeen Javaid
- Hassan Javaid
- Rasheed Shahnaaz
- Shahida Alvi
- Ali Emran
Production
Produced by Hot Ice, the film was shot entirely in Kashmir, with a focus on authentic spiritual and cultural motifs. The cinematography and ambient soundtrack reflect a convergence of folk tradition and meditative themes, rooted deeply in regional identity.[1][2]
Themes
The film unfolds as a spiritual odyssey, emphasizing themes of loss, redemption, and enlightenment. It integrates Rishi-Sufi philosophy and celebrates Kashmiriyat—the region's distinctive ethos of harmony and syncretism.[1]
Release and reception
Qouluf, the Ensorcelled premiered on 4 October 2024 at INOX Cinema, Srinagar.[3][4] The film was also covered in regional press for its unique philosophical approach and contribution to Kashmiri-language cinema.[5] It was showcased at the Jehlum Jammu and Kashmir Film Carnival, organized by Seven 2 Creations. Critics praised its visual storytelling and cultural resonance, with reviews noting its “cinematic meditation on Kashmiriyat and spiritual awakening”.[1][6]
References
- ^ a b c d Pen, Kashmir (2024-12-01). "Film Review: "Qouluf, the Ensorcelled" — A Cinematic Meditation on Kashmiriyat and Spiritual Awakening". KashmirPEN. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2024-11-17). "Meet Ali Emran, Kashmiri Filmmaker Whose Film 'Qouluf' Revives Native Language Cinema In Valley". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ Emran, Ali (2025-06-12). "Qouluf: A cinematic milestone". Greater Kashmir. Retrieved 2025-06-13.
- ^ "Daily Fish Eye 18 Oct, 2024 Page: 7". ePAPER-dailyfisheye. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
- ^ https://www.pressreader.com/india/brighter-kashmir/20241118/281603836004825?srsltid=AfmBOorS_LyiCbKLz7gcTELdLoT7EFnaZKYnkR6CHX2JNdOmBrrHZmeW&fbclid=IwY2xjawK6QNZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHoHe5Eq_sgMivt9Yuw0l7UOWgl2bdonRCtvyieT9Aw94tj47U-8e2T-F37YS_aem_H0gSnP79VaoL5J4pHsmKdg. Retrieved 2025-06-15 – via PressReader.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Qouluf The Ensorcelled (2024) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in tura". BookMyShow. Retrieved 2025-06-13.