Pakistani Film Imagines Hitler as Gangster's Dad

The 1986 Pakistani Punjabi film 'Hitlar' explores a highly unconventional premise: Adolf Hitler's escape to Pakistan after World War II. Directed by Idrees Khan and starring Punjabi cinema icons Sultan Rahi and Mustafa Qureshi, the movie diverges significantly from historical facts.

In the film's narrative, Hitler successfully evades Allied forces, changes his appearance and name to Hitlar, and settles in a Pakistani village. He marries a local woman and fathers a son who eventually grows into a ruthless gangster. This gangster son, inspired by his father's legacy, becomes the film's primary antagonist.

Adding to its historical reimagining, 'Hitlar' posits that Germany, rather than the United States, was responsible for dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film further features elements like assassins in bear suits and a dramatic conflict that pits Sultan Rahi's character against Hitlar's criminal empire.

Mustafa Qureshi's portrayal of the gangster son is highlighted as a major attraction, known for his distinctive dialogue delivery and flamboyant screen presence. This iconic pairing of Rahi and Qureshi further cemented their legendary status in Punjabi cinema.