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Balaj

@balaj.aq

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Realistically abstract
Director of Photography | Colorist | Filmmaker
based in Lahore, Pakistan

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Got to shoot some insane projects recently. Here's a glimpse of what that looks like.

Mostly short films, music videos, and some DVCs. Mostly shot in Lahore, entirely shot in Pakistan.

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cinematography showreel . cinematographer . pakistani cinema . lahore film. dop . filmmaker by @balaj.aq

A look into ideation to execution for this music video I shot and colored. Including some sketched out frames (decode my handwriting for bonus content), a shot from the tech reccee, and soem BTS (mostly people reviewing footage because that was the only time my hands were free).

All shots evolved from the initial ideation, some more than others. Neat to see the beginning compared with the final product.

I don't usually visualize every shot out like this. Only ones that are already fully realized in early pre production.

Directed and Edited by: Zakriya Omar @zakriya_omar
Shot and Colored by: Balaj Ali 🤚🏼

Featuring:
Saad Zahid @saadzahidd
Zoreen Qasim Zaka @ajeeboghareebb
Veera Gadi @veeragadiii

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Cinematography breakdown, storyboard, director of photography, colorist by @balaj.aq

bouquet - Ichiko Aoba

A music video I directed, shot, and edited recently. Worked with the loveliest of people.

Large thank you to @_povua and @shahbakhatt for coming in clutch, as usual. Also @thehamzabintahir 👑

Director/DP/Post: 🤚🏼
Produced by: @_raffaysheikh
Starring: @sophie.s__world @mueedqureshi__
Illustrations by: @mahamightpaint
Assistant Camera: @ayanaabilal
Titles and credits: @syeda.fatima.abbas by @balaj.aq

behind the pre-production

coming soon.

📸 by @balaj.aq by @balaj.aq

A new wave of cinema is coming to AFL. 🎬

Alliance Française de Lahore, in collaboration with NCA, presents NEW WAVE — THE NEW PAKISTANI CINEMA, an evening celebrating emerging voices, fresh perspectives and bold storytelling on screen.

Swipe through to discover the featured films:
🎞️ Montsouris
🎞️ Mera Shona
🎞️ A Salt

📅 4 September 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM onwards
📍 Alliance Française de Lahore

Come discover the stories shaping a new generation of cinema.

#AllianceFrançaiseLahore #NCA #NewPakistaniCinema #NewWaveCinema #PakistaniFilm ShortFilms LahoreEvents FilmFestival CinemaInLahore by @balaj.aq

Someone New - Hozier

An unofficial music video of one of my favorite Hozier songs.

Had the pleasure of working with a beautiful & amazing cast and crew. Thanks to everyone who helped on this project. Special thanks to @blendlhr for letting us shoot in their cafe. Hope you enjoy

Director/Editor/Producer: @zakriya_omar
DOP/Colorist: @balaj.aq
Camera & Equipment: @jahanzaibahmad17
Jaan Sher

Title Card & Thumbnail: @madebymaahyn

Starring: @saadzahidd
@zoreenqasimzaka
@veeragadiii
Barrista: Rockson Khokar

Special Thanks: Loki🐶
Freya🐶
Khalida Ahson
Ahson Saeed Sheikh
@blendlhr
Amna Zafar Khan
Mustapha Zafar Khan
@hassaan_khan16
@shahaanriaz
@xaitonic
Wardah Khan by @balaj.aq

Glad to announce "Mera Shona" [My Beloved] was given an Honorable Mention at the @urbanitesunited arts and film festival '26.

All thanks to my lovely cast and crew :D by @balaj.aq

Dil kho gaya… by @balaj.aq

Wedding '26

Shot on 35mm film

#kodacolor200 : 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Ferrania Solaris 200 (exp): 2

Kodak Pro Image 100 (exp): 8 - 15 #madewithkodak by @balaj.aq

Basant with friends, shot on 35mm film

20 year old expired Kodak Pro Image 100 on a Fujica STX-1 #madewithkodak by @balaj.aq

Mera Shona is screening at the @nca_officials degree show, till the 23rd of January, at the Shakir Ali Auditorium.

Schedule is updated on my stories everyday.

Thanks to everyone whom have already come to watch it. Hope to see more of you there :D by @balaj.aq

Mera Shona

Written and directed by Balaj Ali.

Playing at the Shakir Ali Auditorium, NCA Lahore at the NCA degree show, 2025.

First screening on the 8th of January.

Schedule will be regularly updated on my stories. by @balaj.aq