Bohj
In Pakistan, where love should flourish, an unseen burden transforms marriages into transactions—revealing the heartbreaking stories behind dowry’s grip on families and relationships.
Details
Awais Malik
Post Production
Animator
Documentary Short
Genre:
Expository
Documentary
Duration:
09 minutes 31 seconds
December, 2023
Synopsis
Marriage is meant to be a celebration of love and partnership, but for many in Pakistan, it carries an unspoken cost: dowry. BOHJ uncovers the deeply personal struggles of families weighed down by this tradition, where love often takes a backseat to material demands. Through intimate interviews and heartfelt stories, it reveals how dowry impacts relationships, strains emotions, and sometimes leads to tragic outcomes. Yet, amidst the heartbreak, the film also shines a light on those fighting back—working to reclaim marriage as a bond of love, not a ledger of transactions.
Director's Statement
The director has long observed the weight of dowry as an invisible burden on families in Pakistani society. Witnessing the joy of marriage overshadowed by relentless material demands has left a lasting impression. BOHJ emerges from the desire to expose how such expectations tarnish the sanctity of love and relationships, often leading to heartbreaking consequences. By delving into personal stories and societal struggles, the film seeks to confront the norms that perpetuate these pressures and spotlight the collective efforts to restore marriage as a celebration of unity, not materialism.
