# Khamosh Pani (2003) — Celluloid fact sheet

Source: https://celluloidscore.com/movies/khamosh-pani-2003/
Last reviewed: 2026-08-31

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Celluloid Score | 80% |
| Editorial Rating | 90/100 |
| Audience Snapshot | 84% (excluded from composite) |
| Metascore | 78/100 |
| Letterboxd | 3.8/5 |
| IMDb | 7.5/10 |
| Director | Sabiha Sumar |
| Genres | Drama |
| Runtime | 99 min |
| Festival premiere | Karachi 2003 (Special Jury Award) |

## Quick answer

Khamosh Pani (2003) earns a 80% Celluloid Score — Recommended. Sabiha Sumar’s partition-era tragedy took KaraFilm’s Special Jury Award plus Best Actress and Best Screenplay — still th Metascore 78/100. Directed by Sabiha Sumar.

## Celluloid verdict

Sabiha Sumar’s partition-era tragedy took KaraFilm’s Special Jury Award plus Best Actress and Best Screenplay — still the defining Pakistani art film of the early 2000s.

## Synopsis

Ayesha is a widow with a secret past, living with her beloved son Saleem in a small town in Pakistan close to the Indian border. When the fires of Islamic nationalism invade their tranquil lives, Saleem and a few of the town's other young men are soon gripped by a religious fervour, and they attempt to bring radical Islamic law to their friends and neighbours. After a group of Sikh pilgrims arrive in town, tensions reach boiling point as Ayesha's haunted past comes rushing back.

## Cast

Kirron Kher, Aamir Ali Malik, Arshad Mahmood, Salman Shahid, Shilpa Shukla, Sarfaraz Ansari, Qurat-ul-Ain Balouch, Ejaz Baig, Tasleem Bibi, Abid Ali

## Accolades

Premiered at Karachi 2003, where it won the Special Jury Award.

## Where to watch

the United States: not currently streaming

## Critic reviews on Celluloid: 1

## Common questions

**Is Khamosh Pani worth watching?**
Khamosh Pani holds a 80% Celluloid Score. Sabiha Sumar’s partition-era tragedy took KaraFilm’s Special Jury Award plus Best Actress and Best Screenplay — still the defining Pakistani art film of the early 2000s.

**What is Khamosh Pani about?**
Ayesha is a widow with a secret past, living with her beloved son Saleem in a small town in Pakistan close to the Indian border. When the fires of Islamic nationalism invade their tranquil lives, Saleem and a few of the town's other young men are soon gripped by a religious fervour, and they attempt to bring radical Islamic law to their friends and neighbours. After a group of Sikh pilgrims arrive in town, tensions reach boiling point as Ayesha's haunted past comes rushing back.

**Who directed Khamosh Pani?**
Khamosh Pani (2003) was directed by Sabiha Sumar.

**What is the Celluloid Score of Khamosh Pani?**
80% — calculated from available Celluloid editorial (90/100), Metascore (78/100), Letterboxd (3.8/5), and IMDb (7.5/10) inputs. Audience sentiment is excluded.

**Where can I watch Khamosh Pani?**
Streaming availability varies by region — see the Khamosh Pani page for current options.

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Reviewed and scored by Celluloid · Editor: Kaiser Khan (https://celluloidscore.com/author/kaiser-khan/)

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