Khaled Anum, Mooroo to star in 'The Glassworker' Urdu version

With the animated feature film, The Glassworker, poised to release in cinemas across Pakistan this summer, Mano Animation Studios took to its Instagram handle to reveal both the English and Urdu voice actors comprising the cast.

The Glassworker is an upcoming original hand-drawn film directed by Usman Riaz and produced by Mano Animation Studios. Featuring anime-inspired visuals, the offering is the first hand-drawn animated film produced in Pakistan. Mano Animation Studios posted a visual of the Urdu version of voice actors, which includes Khaled Anam playing the role of Tomas Oliver, Mooroo playing Vincent Oliver, and Mariam Paracha playing Alliz Amano.

The studio also posted a photo of the English version of the voice actors, which includes Art Malik playing the role of Tomas Oliver, Sacha Dhawan playing Vincent Oliver, and Anjli Mohindra playing Alliz Amano.

Fans across social media are eagerly awaiting the release of the film, and have likened the animation style to that produced by Studio Ghibli. “While this movie obviously draws significant inspiration from Ghibli, I think it still has quite a few unique elements that differentiate it,” wrote one fan on the popular forum Reddit. “Like the local cultural elements sprinkled throughout the teaser/showreel, which I'm hoping we'll see more of.”

According to Mano Animation Studios, The Glassworker tells the story of a young boy, Vincent, and his father, Tomas, who run the finest glass workshop in the country and find their lives upended by an impending war in which they want no part. The arrival in their town of an army colonel and his young, talented, violinist daughter, Alliz, shakes their reality and tests the relationship between father and son.

The love that develops between Vincent and Alliz is challenged constantly by the differing views of their fathers. It is a time when patriotism and social standing are considered more important than free thought and artistic pursuits.