After years in the making, Umar Riaz’s creative documentary The Colour of My Heart (Urdu title: Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere) has finally arrived in cinemas across Pakistan. Released nationwide on February 6, 2026, the film is a poignant tribute to the life, intellect, and unparalleled diction of the late Zia Mohyeddin.
A Landscape of Artistic Heritage
The film is not a conventional biography but a “poetic” exploration of the legendary artist’s mind. It brings together a decade and a half of footage, capturing Mohyeddin’s reflections on love, art, and the literary giants who shaped his world.
At its core, the documentary focuses on Mohyeddin’s annual Urdu poetry readings in Lahore, particularly his deep connection to the works of Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
The film is narrated by the late educationist Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra, who provides a philosophical framework for the themes of longing and transformation.
Riaz includes rare interviews with Mohyeddin’s family and peers, offering a balanced view of his ‘insufferable’ fastidiousness alongside his artistic genius.
Why It Is a Cinematic Landmark
The Colour of My Heart is an updated and polished evolution of Riaz’s 2018 project, Some Lover To Some Beloved. It spans Mohyeddin’s journey from pre-Partition Faisalabad to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and his iconic role in Lawrence of Arabia.
Billed as the first Pakistani documentary to receive a wide theatrical release, it represents a “game-changer” for the country’s film industry.
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While rooted in Urdu literature, the film aims to reach anyone “trying to find meaning in life,” as noted by Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra during the production.
The film serves as a preservation of memory, ensuring that the voice that defined a generation of Pakistani culture is never truly silenced.
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