National History Museum premieres Anarkali Retold, culminating Winter School Programme 2025

LAHORE: The National History Museum (NHM) hosted the movie premiere of "Anarkali Retold," a period film-marking the successful conclusion of the Winter School Programme 2025. The film is a reimagination of the classic lore of Anarkali in contemporary times. The film was made to immerse young historians in the world of storytelling, exploring the intersection of heritage and the performing arts.

The event commenced with a red carpet reception, welcoming distinguished guests and attendees. The screening was followed by an engaging press conference featuring the young cast members. Lead actor and program participant Zaki Hassan reflected on the rigorous process, stating, "I felt amazing to be a part of this whole experience. It was hard at first, but with the correct support and my fellow actors, I began to absorb the craft and truly enjoy the journey. I feel proud to see my work on the big screen."

The film featured young historians not only as actors but also as contributors behind the scenes, engaging in scriptwriting, set design, and production, to gain a holistic understanding of storytelling. Highlighting the programme’s objectives, Hifza Shaheen, Museum Educator at NHM, remarked, “We aim to incorporate multi-faceted workshops into our educational programmes. The Winter School has been a great success, and we look forward to launching Summer School 2026. It is a valuable platform for young individuals to connect with their heritage.”

The premiere of Anarkali Retold marked the successful conclusion of NHM’s Winter School Programme 2025, reflecting its commitment to creative, hands-on learning and youth engagement with history and the arts.