The first trailer for IJ: The Secret Parchment has been released, bringing Inspector Jamshed, one of the most recognised characters in Pakistani popular fiction, to the screen in an investigative thriller built around family, intelligence and action.
Led by Omair Rana as Inspector Jamshed, the trailer gives the first look at a world where every clue matters and trust cannot be taken for granted. It introduces the Jamshed family at the centre of the story while keeping the film’s larger mystery under wraps.
Inspired by the detective novels of legendary Pakistani writer Ishtiaq Ahmed, IJ: The Secret Parchment carries forward a literary legacy that has remained close to readers for generations. Ahmed wrote 796 novels during his career and was known to write a new novel every week, creating a world marked by intricate mysteries, memorable characters and a strong sense of justice.
The film reimagines that legacy for a contemporary global audience while preserving the qualities that made Inspector Jamshed endure: careful observation, principled choices, respect for knowledge and a family that works together when the stakes rise. The story also includes Professor Daud, whose intelligence adds another dimension to the investigation, and Khan Rehman, Inspector Jamshed’s longtime friend and trusted ally.
Director Fahd Nur said: “The difficult part was never making the world bigger. It was knowing what not to lose when we did. Inspector Jamshed works because the clues matter, the danger has consequences, and the family at its centre keeps the story human. That was the rule behind every frame of the trailer.”
Eric Berg, screenplay writer of IJ: The Secret Parchment, said: “Now, at this stage, Inspector Jamshed doesn’t belong to a nation. It belongs to the world.”
The ensemble cast includes Ahad Raza Mir as Behzaad, Faran Tahir as Zafar Iqbal Burki, Asif Raza Mir as Khan Rehman, Anoushay Abbasi as Shakeela Begum (Mrs Jamshed) and Jad Hadid as Sub-Inspector Ikram. Ravel Imran, Ahmed Harkous and Aline Harkous play Mehmood, Farooq and Farzana, the next generation of the Jamshed family.
The wider international cast brings together performers from 13 different nationalities, giving the film a cross-cultural character. However, its emotional centre remains simple and relatable: a father, his family and the values that hold them together.
Filmed across more than 30 locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai over 104 production days, IJ: The Secret Parchment has been mounted on an international scale. Locations include Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed University, Masdar City, Reem Island, Aldar Headquarters, Al Khatim Desert and Sheikh Zayed Bridge.
The production brought together cast and crew members with a total production headcount of approximately 1,300 people. Shot using large-format Arri anamorphic lenses and designed for Dolby Atmos, the film combines investigative mystery, family adventure and grounded action.
Stunt director George Kirby, whose credits include Game of Thrones, The Batman and Doctor Strange, helped shape the film’s physical action. The Andy Long Stunt Team brought its martial-arts and stunt expertise to the production, while action director Amr McGyver led the car-action work, including the film’s driving and chase sequences.
The visual world was developed under art director Jordane Chedotal, whose credits include Dune: Part Two, Star Trek Beyond and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Her work gives the film a detailed, contemporary setting while connecting its mystery to a wider sense of history and discovery.
Omair Rana said: “Inspector Jamshed is a character many people already know and care about. I approached him as a thoughtful, disciplined man whose strength comes from observation rather than noise. I hope longtime readers recognise the qualities they loved, while new audiences discover why this character has stayed relevant for so long.”
Muhammad Adnan Butt, Executive Producer, said: “IJ: The Secret Parchment is made to bring out the hero who was ours first, but it was always meant for everyone. Inspector Jamshed has lived in the imagination of readers for decades. We wanted to honour Ishtiaq Ahmed’s work with a film for audiences around the world. It is a matter of immense pride to carry forward his legacy.”
Directed by Fahd Nur, IJ: The Secret Parchment is produced by Dot Republic Media, CreatorsOne Studios and Walnut Media. The film is planned for a worldwide theatrical release followed by an OTT release.
The first trailer is now available on the official IJ platforms.
Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/79LC4ih46XQ
