“My message today would be to the men – please support and help … women” – Lieutenant General Nigar Johar
She is the first 3 Star Female General in the Pakistan Army & also the first Female General Surgeon.
Aik Hai Nigar is a project of ARY Films with Mahira Khan playing the real life character of Lieutenant General Nigar
The film has been marketed as a true story based upon the life of Nigar Johar who started out as a Cadet in the Pakistan Army in 1981 and steadily rose through the ranks to become the first 3 Star Lieutenant General in the Pakistan Army.
Written by the celebrated Umera Ahmed & directed by Adnan Sarwar of Motorcycle Girl, it is produced by Nina Kashif of Humsafar and Mahira Khan under the banner of SoulFry Films. We look forward to an emotional roller coaster with Mahira Khan &, it is said, her former costar (Bilal Ashraf) taking the helm.
As the second teaser dropped on the hugely anticipated biopic on General Nigar Johar, played by none other than our very own Mahira Khan, it is necessary to shine light on the achievements of a woman who has given us many firsts.
Females are born to be managers
Nigar Johar
General Nigar is the First Female to take on command of the largest Army hospital in Pakistan & turn into a very successful Covid facility.
But what few might not know is that she is not just a capable disaster manager & competent hospital administrator, she is also a champion Markswoman!
The female leadership roles are not new in our History, In Islam … Hazrat Khadeeja, Hazrat Ayesha …, and then after in the subcontinent, Razia Sultana & so many more. Although in the military, I will be the first lieutenant general, I am immensely humbled & I have a huge responsibility.
general Nigar
She has received the Tamgha e Imtiaz, the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal as well as honorary membership at the Royal College of Physicians UK. She is also a recipient of the HUM Women Leaders Award.
Nigar Johar hails from a traditional Pathan family from Panjpir Village in Swabi District. Her father (and husband) also hail from the army. But if you were wondering how easy it was for her to walk into her father’s shoes – well, she had to fight for it. Nigar’s father was not too keen on his daughter joining the army, but she convinced him to give her his blessings.
As a captain in the Army, Nigar wanted to become a cardiologist, but at that time, women were not given the choice to pick their specialization. However, Nigar never lost hope, and decided that her path to glory would be different, as Allah decided His own path.
I inherited both the love for my country & military from him (my father)
Lieutenant General Nigar Johar
Both her parents passed away in a car accident over 30 years ago.
I am so thankful that I am in an organization that is merit based, and that believes in merit – Nigar Johar
TRT World
She has a message for all the young girls who aspire to be more
Gender discrimination can exist in any office and on any level of management, but that is not the problem. The problem occurs when we fail to teach our daughters and sisters to recognize that they are being discriminated. Being a woman requires you to work at least twice as hard, but once you are recognized for your resilience and work, you are respected twice as much. I have always focused on my work in order to succeed. I have worked with male colleagues and not against them. The glass ceiling is pretty high but Pakistani women are getting there, slowly but surely.
Hilal
Aik Hai Nigar & What it Promises
Both teasers revealed so far for Aik Hai Nigar evoke intense dedication, commitment & courage of a woman who persevered in her personal life & career to serve the people of Pakistan. Shot against the imposing backdrop of the Army Medical, a place she spent the best part of her years.
Mahira Khan posted on Instagram
“Honoured to be playing a woman I admire so much … What a life, what a story. To know her is to know one of the greatest among us.”
Mahira Khan
This one will be an inspiration and, we surmise – a tear jerker as well.
No actor other than Mahira Khan comes to mind to play the role with resilience & truth. Mahira herself is now at a precipice in her career where she is opting for chunky roles over the pretty girl next door, not to undermine her previous characters that have been winners in all aspects of artistic & social endeavours, but this one’s a sure winner!
Aik Hai Nigar will hopefully go on to show us why & how General Nigar Johar & Mahira Khan inspire Pakistani women in ways we undoubtedly need in Pakistan – and more importantly – how men can shift perspectives and support these roles. So along with Lieutenant General Nigar Johar, we look forward to a glimpse into the lives of those men who have helped carry her journey forward.
Salute to all the women who carry on making us proud, be they Mahira Khan or Lieutenant General Nigar – play on, the field is wide open & the world is your oyster!
Cast announced so far
Mahira Khan as Nigar
Bilal Ashraf
Khushhal Khan
Sohail Sameer
Sara
Iman Shahid
