An impactful film that explores the human fallout of statelessness has screened in Melbourne.  

Bhashaili tells the story of Pakistani Bengali’s living in Karachi, many of whom face issues around citizenship and statelessness despite being the fourth generation born in Pakistan. 

The film follows the everyday stories of young and old Pakistani Bengalis as they chase their dreams, find love, stand up for injustices, and face despair around their lack of recognition in Pakistan. 

It has a poignant focus on their struggle for identity while capturing the stories of their everyday lives as wells as their pride, heritage, and hopes. 

Bhashaili, the Bangla word for Adrift, focuses on an array of rich characters, 

Shahid is a bright and charismatic individual who has already garnered a significant following on social media. 

In his twenties, he has found his soulmate, Zehra, and they marry and begin creating entertaining content for TikTok, 

Shahid’s use of humour to life’s challenges is not welcome by everyone in his community. 

His day job is to deliver fresh fish to customers across affluent and underprivileged neighbourhoods in Karachi. 

Qazi Nasir Ahmad Nizami, affectionately known as Muna Bhai, takes immense pride in his heritage and frequently finds solace in the dilapidated halls of Nazrul Academy – a local library. 

Here, alongside fellow enthusiasts, he tries to preserve the works and uphold the legacy of the renowned Bengali poet and activist, Qazi Nazrul Islam. 

 Muna Bhai serves as a reminder that historical events, continue to profoundly impact the everyday lives of Pakistani Bengalis and their quest for identity recognition. 

Farzana is a vehement advocate for the Bengalis, and the film follows her as she 
navigates the complexities surrounding citizenship, making her way to court. 

 
Sonya and Anwara, teenage sisters residing in the expansive urban settlement of Machar Colony, intimately understand this struggle. 

Their father, Nazrul Islam, a former fisherman, has faced a lifelong battle to obtain an ID card.  

Bhashaili encapsulates the story of a marginalised community that, amidst the ever-evolving city of Karachi, finds room to dream and aspire. 

Under international law, a stateless person is someone who is not considered a national by any state. 

Some stateless people are also refugees. At the end of 2022, the UNHCR estimated 4.4 million people worldwide were either stateless or of undetermined nationality. 

But the number might be many more because data is not complete as UNHCR does not have data from many countries, such as from at least 22 countries where mass statelessness exists. 

The data also does not include de facto stateless people who have no legal identification to prove their nationality or legal existence. 

According to the World Bank, at least 850 million fit that category. 

The film is directed by Jawad Sharif and produced by Sharif, Humera Iqbal, Syeda Kashmala and Anushay Malik. 

It screened recently at the Melbourne Law School.