Berlinale 2026: Lali
2026 Berlin Film Festival
The Panorama section of this year’s Berlinale continues to surprise and delight with Lali, an original and captivating genre-bending film hailing from Pakistan. Part dark comedy, part horror, part thriller, part drama, Lali manages to deliver an enthralling mix that entertains while offering questions on marriage, gender roles, and community.
At the core of the film are Zeba (Mamya Shajaffar) and Sajawal (Channan Hanif), a couple of newlyweds who were deemed by their families to be compatible after a brief courtship. The film opens with all the pomp and circumstance of their traditional wedding, led by the groom’s boisterous mother, Sohni Ammi (Farazeh Syed). This joyous occasion, however, soon descends into chaos as a series of unfortunate incidents leads to Sohni Ammi being shot and needing urgent care, prompting some of Sajawal’s family members to cast doubts on the union. This lends support to rumours that Zeba is, in fact, carrying a dark curse, as three of her previous suitors all died suddenly, prompting concerns for Sajawal’s and his family’s safety.
The lightheartedness and joy brought on by the recent nuptials with the participation of the lively local community (the nosy singing neighbours are definitely a highlight) soon take on a darker tone, as tragedy looms, untold secrets fester, and Sajawal’s jealousy grows.
Though perhaps slightly less solid in its darker chapters than in its more broadly comedic ones, Lali offers an interesting viewpoint on how tradition can coexist with modernity. Director and screenwriter Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, alongside screenwriter Sundus Hashmi, manage to combine social commentary and a critique of tradition and established gender roles with a joyful celebration of Pakistani culture, certainly aided in this by the stunningly colourful costumes and a wise use of music. Despite feeling slightly messy in its final act, Lali is a captivating and highly entertaining film that is sure to shock and delight audiences everywhere.