Bilal Lashari

Bilal Lashari (born 4 August 1981) is a Pakistani filmmaker, cinematographer, screenwriter and occasional actor. He made his directorial debut with Waar, which at the time of its release became Pakistan's highest-grossing film (13th highest as of February 2026). His next feature The Legend of Maula Jatt (2022) was a remake of the 1979 film Maula Jatt. The film broke box office records and became Pakistan's highest grossing film. Lashari won awards in four categories at the ARY Film Awards 2014 for his directorial debut. In 2024, he was awarded with the President's Sitara-i-Imtiaz for his contribution towards the Pakistani cinema.

Early life and education Bilal Lashari was born into a Baloch family. His father, Kamran Lashari, is a retired senior Pakistani bureaucrat who served as a Federal Secretary and did a lot in cultural preservation in Lahore, while his paternal grandfather was a landlord, lawyer and poet. His younger brother, Rohail Lashari, an MBA graduate from HEC Paris, was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the Lahore-based band Jhol (2010-2015) and was "in charge" of the seventh season of Coke Studio Pakistan, while his other younger brother, Omar Lashari, is a Cornell-educated financial analyst.

Lashari grew up in Pakistan, attending local schools. He went to the United States of America for college, studying at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Motion Pictures and Television in 2008.

Career After his return to Pakistan, Lashari first directed music videos and won 'Best Music Video Director' twice at the Lux Style Awards and ‘Best Pop Video’ at the MTV Pakistan Music Video Awards for "Sajni". He has also directed "Chal Bulleya" for Meekal Hassan Band. He has worked with artists and bands such as Abrarul Haq, Atif Aslam, Mekaal Hassan Band, Jal, and Entity Paradigm. He also directed the video "Chal Bulleya" for Meekal Hassan Band. In 2004, Lashari briefly worked as assistant director for Shoaib Mansoor during pre-production of Khuda Kay Liye in 2004.

Finally, in 2013, Lashari got his start on Waar. The film opened to positive reviews and was Pakistan's highest-anticipated film at that time. It was his feature directorial debut. His next project in 2022, The Legend of Maula Jatt opened to positive reviews and is considered to be Pakistan's biggest blockbuster and most expensive film. It is also the second Pakistani film to use the Red Epic W camera as it was previously used for Waar, which is mostly used for certain Hollywood films.

In 2020, Lashari co-directed and executive produced the music television series Velo Sound Station, featuring live studio performances by various Pakistani artists.

Filmography

Music videos YearSongArtistAlbumNotes2007"Dhamaal"OverloadOverloadMusic Video Director "Sajni"JalBoondhMusic Video Director 2008"Kinara"Atif AslamMeri KahaniMusic Video Director "Hungami Halaat"Music Video Director 2009"Chal Bulleya"Mekaal Hasan BandSaptakMusic Video Director 2010"Shor Macha"Entity ParadigmSingle albumMusic Video Director

Awards and nominations ARY Film Awards Year Nominated work and artist Award Result2013 Waar Best Director Best Director Jury Best Cinematography Best Editing

Hum Awards Year Nominated work and artist Award Result 2014Hum Honorary Special Recognition Award for contribution to Pakistani Cinema

Lux Style Award Year Nominated work and artist Award Result2008"Sajni" Best Music Video Director "Dhamaal" Best Music Video Director 2010 Best Music Video Director 2011"Shor Macha" Best Music Video Director 2014 Waar Best Film Director