Iman Vellani Is the New Ms Marvel
By Umar Siddiqui
Iman Vellani was congratulated by fellow Pakistani actor, Kumail Nanjiani, who will be in Marvel’s The Eternals. She will be playing Kamala Khan, the first Pakistani-American supehero in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), in a series on Disney Plus.
The young newcomer will represent Pakistan on screens of the infinitely many Disney Plus subscribers. Pakistan is always being overshadowed but has a vibrant and infectious culture. It can showcase a lot—and it will. Being a proud Pakistani and diehard Disney fan myself, I was overjoyed to read this news and to share it.
Pakistani representation is important because, being pushed aside although it has rich and radiating livelihood and people all over the globe, Pakistan is getting its time to shine in what can be described as small segments. From time to time, whether it is in fashion with Christian Louboutin paying tribute to the Peshawari chappal or in cinemas with our American cinemas playing Pakistani films, Pakistan is being given a spotlight. It deserves to be recognized, just like many overlooked countries. Becoming more notable as a tourist destination, it should be hailed as the idealized dreamland India is.
Pakistan has its characteristic charm and will live on, but it needs to live in a light. Debunking myths and showing positive facets of its life and culture is one of the vital tasks a Pakistani American needs to undertake.
I remember when I was a high school student, in the school newspaper a featured article described Pakistani women as inferior. Irate with this being on the newspaper, I complained and no one batted an eye. If Pakistani women are given a platform and are showcasing themselves as competent and talented, the sky is the limit (sorry to bring in a cliché.)
Daily Times ads: Ms Marvel is about a Pakistani-American 16-year-old based in New Jersey who looks up to Captain Marvel aka Carol Danvers. In the midst of her normal life as a teenager, Kamala discovers her superpowers which include, shapeshifting, invulnerability, and elasticity. By using her prior knowledge of superheroes, she goes on to become one of the fiercest crime fighters.
The character was created by G. Willow Wilson for a comic books series that debuted in 2014. Wilson posted her congratulations to Vellani on Twitter, adding that “she is the real deal”.
The comics have been hailed as been a sensitive exploration of being Muslim in America, while also dealing with the challenges of coming-of-age and having superpowers. Wilson is Muslim.
Vellani isn’t the first Canadian to be joining the MCU family with reports last month Orphan Black Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany had been cast as She-Hulk.
After the critical and commercial success of Black Panther, the studio has greenlit a number of projects with culturally diverse casts.
Images staff reports: Marvel's first Muslim woman superhero has just been finalized and what better representation than to have a Muslim play it?
Cue Iman Vellani, Disney Plus' Kamala Khan, a Pakistani-American teen is based in New Jersey.
With her inhuman ability to extend her limbs, alter her appearance, and shift her shape and size, Kamala will work tirelessly to make the world a better place.
"In the course of becoming a local hero, Khan would encounter various peers in the super-powered community, always with enthusiasm and unbridled joy," Marvel revealed. before adding that Khan's character will also be a part of future Marvel films.Oscar winning Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy alongside Meera Menon, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are ready to bring this superhero's story to the screen.
Written and developed by British writer Bisha K. Ali, this marks Vellani’s first major Hollywood production, with hopefully many more to come.
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