The award-winning Pakistani crime thriller Jujji has officially launched on Amazon Prime Video in the United States and the United Kingdom, marking a monumental step for independent filmmaking in Pakistan. This acquisition is more than just a distribution deal; it is a validation that gritty, locally-rooted, genre-driven stories from Pakistan can compete and resonate on a global streaming stage.
A Gritty, Neo-Noir Portrait of Rawalpindi
Directed by Habib Shahzad and written by Ahmad Umar Ayaz, Jujji is a psychological thriller that eschews the typical Pakistani cinema fare of romantic dramas and comedies. Its core theme is a dark exploration of urban decay, morality, and justice.
The film centers on a relentless pursuit of a brutal serial killer in the streets of Rawalpindi.
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It follows two police officers with contrasting personalities, the idealistic SI Naveed (Mustafa Rizvi) and the seasoned, cynical Constable Arshad (Anjum Habibi), whose investigation forces them to confront their own moral demons. The killer, played by Muhammad Arsalan, is an intriguing figure whose actions push the boundaries between justice and vengeance.
Critics have praised the film’s neo-noir aesthetic, which uses sombre cinematography (by Furqan Gul) to capture the city’s underbelly, making Rawalpindi a haunting character in its own right. As director Habib Shahzad stated, “We wanted to capture the soul of Rawalpindi while making it universally human.”
A still from the film Jujji.
Source: IMDB
The Global Acquisition: Buffalo 8 and Amazon Prime
The international success of Jujji began with a crucial deal secured by an American company, signaling a strong belief in the film’s universal appeal.
In October 2025, Buffalo 8, a Santa Monica-based company specializing in production, post-production, and distribution for independent films, acquired the worldwide distribution rights to Jujji.
The deal led to the film’s immediate launch on Amazon Prime Video (and Verizon Fios/Vubiquity) on November 21, 2025, for US and UK audiences, with wider global release to follow.
Nikki Stier Justice, Head of Distribution at Buffalo 8, called the film a “bold, genre-defying thriller” that successfully merges “authentic South Asian storytelling with the universal appeal of true-crime cinema.”
Validation for Independent Filmmaking
Jujji was originally a grassroots vision, developed over two years by BHM Films in collaboration with Yūgen Studios and Lollipop. Its journey from a local project to a global stream is a vital validation for Pakistan’s independent film community:
The film’s quality was first recognized at home, where it won Best Feature Film at the Gandhara Independent Film Festival 2024 and secured the top spot at the Punjab Police Film Festival 2024.
This success demonstrates that Pakistani filmmakers can now bypass traditional theatrical infrastructure and use digital platforms to compete globally. As co-producer Hashim Zafar Wadhen noted, the film proves that “Pakistani films can travel across borders when grounded in local realities but crafted with global sensibilities.” The film’s achievement opens the door for other independent Pakistani productions that explore complex, darker genres to seek international distribution.
This Pakistani crime thriller is now an official part of the global cinematic landscape, marking a proud moment for local talent and a thrilling experience for viewers worldwide.
I’ve watched Jujji today (@Jujjithefilm distributed via @Buffalo8Pro) and I was very much impressed by it! It’s a gripping thriller, shot beautifully and effectively executed from start to finish. #Pakistani cinema need a lot more global attention!#Jujji #jujjimovie #movies pic.twitter.com/hcFUsEwsUQ
— Ivica Milarić (@filmzadanas) November 23, 2025
