Khurrum M. Sultan

“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. “Help,” said the horse. - The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse This month marks 11 years since the bomb blast that changed my life forever. I’ve come face to face with death more than once - and each time, for reasons I may never fully understand, I was given another chance. That day took so much from so many. I survived when others didn’t, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of those lost. The years that followed were some of the hardest of my life. PTSD isn’t something that fades quietly into the background, it lingers. It changes the way you see, think, and even breathe. It can take the smallest sound or scent and pull you right back into the chaos. But through that fog, I’ve learned to live again, to find stillness in noise, and strength in vulnerability. And I could never have done that alone. It’s been my family, my friends, and the people closest to me who have been my anchor, the ones who’ve listened when words failed, and stood beside me when I wasn’t sure I could keep going. Their love and patience have been my light through the darkest moments. I made a vow that day to never take life for granted, to honour those who didn’t make it home, and to keep moving forward with purpose, creativity, and compassion. Trauma doesn’t disappear; it transforms you. It gives you a deeper appreciation for the fragile beauty of being alive. Healing isn’t about erasing the past, it’s about learning to carry it with grace. To those still fighting their battles: know that healing isn’t linear, and you are never alone. There is always light, even when you can’t yet see it. #11YearsOfSurvival #NeverForgotten #Resilience #LoveOverHate #StrongerTogether #PeaceWillPrevail #SurvivorStory #MentalHealthAwareness #Gratitude #Family #Support #Hope

Delighted to share my latest TV Drama Directing Showreel 2024. It only includes clips from: #Vera and #McDonaldAndDodds 🎥🎬🍿🙏🏽 #showreel #director #drama #dramadirector #crimedrama #tvdrama

How it started vs how’s it’s going - A Directors Journey: #watchthisspace #film #filmmaking #tvdrama #tvdirector #thejourney #blessed #justthebeginning ##drama #tv #directing #alwaysfollowyourdreams #nevergiveup #inspireothers

Soaps will always have a very special place in my heart. They’re where I started, my training ground, and the foundation of who I am today as a drama director. Because of that, I’m always keen to pay it forward and help open doors for others. When @film_london reached out about mentoring the incredibly talented @mariumjeelani , the aim was simple: could we find her real, meaningful shadowing opportunities on set? I spoke to the brilliant director @ashgadhvi , who very generously agreed to support my ambitions. Huge thanks as well to @dmstephenson21 , Audrey O’Reilly and @thomashescottdirector for giving their time and support. I then reached out to @itvstudios to see if there was a way for Marium to shadow Aashish on @coronationstreet something I’ve always been passionate about. ITV didn’t just open the door… they smashed it wide open. They agreed with what I was trying to accomplish and granted permission. Yesterday I visited ITV Studios to see Marium and Aashish in action on the Coronation Street set and to personally thank the Executive Team. ITV have truly shown how committed they are to supporting the next generation of drama directors and I can’t thank them enough. This is how we move the industry forward. Together. 🙏 #CoronationStreet #Corrie #ITV #ITVStudios #Soaps #DramaDirecting #Mentorship #PayItForward #FilmLondon #NextGeneration #Shadowing #BritishTV #TVDrama #OpeningDoors #GivingBack #CreativeCommunity #Grateful

🎬 Behind the Scenes, A Director’s View #7 I had the unexpected chance to step in as an extra and what I didn’t anticipate was how much I would learn before I even stepped onto the set of BBC’s Prisoner 951. For the first time in my career, I went through the full process that actors and supporting artists experience every day: the costume fitting, the hair and make-up chair, the waiting, the adjustments, the rhythm of being part of the machine rather than leading it. As a director, I usually arrive on set and the world is already built: costumes ready, actors prepped, every detail timed to perfection. But sitting in that chair, being styled, fitted, tweaked and scheduled… I finally understood just how much precision, talent, and coordination happens before a single frame is shot. The costume department, hair and make-up teams, and the ADs (along with all other departments) are incredible. An entire ecosystem working flawlessly to keep the day running, to make every character believable, and to ensure we stay on schedule. Watching them and being part of their process, even briefly gave me a new level of respect and gratitude. It’s a well-oiled machine, but one powered by human skill, care, patience, and speed. Seeing it from the other side opened my eyes. It reminded me that directing isn’t just about the camera, it’s about understanding, appreciating, and connecting with every department that brings a story to life. Stepping into the shoes of an extra was humbling, grounding, and unexpectedly inspiring. I’m walking back onto set with a deeper sense of empathy and a renewed respect for the teams who make the impossible look effortless. #BehindTheScenes #DirectorsLife #Prisoner951

🎬 Behind the Scenes, A Director’s View #6 BBC’s ‘Prisoner 951’, Episode 3 is released and with it, a moment I never expected. While working on the series as an additional director, the legendary Philippa Lowthorpe asked if I’d like to step into the background of a scene. I don’t usually go in front of the camera. It’s never been my comfort zone. But this felt like a chance to learn, so I said yes. Even though I was just an extra, in the background, not saying a word… it gave me a profound new understanding of what actors and supporting artists face every single day. Suddenly, I was the one standing under the lights with hundreds of eyes watching and waiting. And the pressure of knowing that if I messed up (even something small) the entire scene would need to reset… that was overwhelming. My acting was rigid, wooden, and awkward in ways that made me laugh afterwards, but also made me think deeply about the craft on the other side of the lens. This tiny moment reminded me of something essential: - Being in front of the camera is incredibly hard. - Actors and extras carry a weight of vulnerability we don’t always see. - Their discipline, emotional openness, and presence deserve immense respect. It’s made me want to learn more, to spend time in acting classes, explore actor training, and understand the techniques and pressures that shape their work. Because the better I understand their world, the better I can support, communicate, and direct with empathy and clarity. At the heart of storytelling is always curiosity. Always learning. And sometimes, it takes standing silently in the background of a scene to see things in a whole new light. #BehindTheScenes #DirectorsLife #Prisoner951 #OnSet

I don’t often talk about my family here, but on this occasion, it feels important. Last night, my father, Waseem Mahmood OBE, received the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Media’ award at the Asian Media Awards for his lifelong dedication, influence, and transformative work across the media landscape. As a son, I don’t think I ever truly understood the significance of what my father and his colleagues in the early days of the BBC Asian Unit achieved. At a time of racism, riots, and resistance, this small group of South Asians created the first ever programmes that brought our stories, faces, and voices to British screens. They paved the way for every South Asian creative working in the industry today - including me. The only reason I am able to do the work I do is because of the path my father and his peers carved out, often against the odds. There’s a deep level of gratitude I hold, which I sometimes forget as the son of a pioneer. Massive congratulations to my father a legend, a trailblazer, and the reason so many South Asians have a platform today. #AsianMediaAwards #RepresentationMatters #SouthAsianCreatives #Trailblazer #Inspiration #MediaLegacy #BritishAsian #FamilyPride #DiversityInMedia #HistoryMakers

Thrilled to share that I’ll be directing episodes 4, 5 and 6 of The Split Up - the brand new BBC drama from the creative team behind The Split. The series is being lead directed by @sarif_shamim , and stars the brilliant @rituarya and @tvsanjeev , alongside an incredible cast and crew. Produced by @sisterglobal for the @bbc , this promises to be a powerful, emotional and visually striking drama. Can’t wait for audiences to see what we’ve been working on. You can read the full press release and cast announcement here: /mediacentre/2025/ritu-arya-and-sanjeev-bhaskar-star-in-the-split-up-filming-begins-in-manchester #TheSplitUp #BBCDrama #SisterGlobal #BBC #TVDirecting #RituArya #SanjeevBhaskar

I’m absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this years Royal Television Society Midlands Best Director Award for my lead episode of McDonald & Dodds. I want to say that a director is nothing without the incredible team behind them, and I was so fortunate to collaborate with some of the very best. Thank you to Mammoth Screen, ITV, and of course to McDonald & Dodds creator Robert Murphy for entrusting me with this story. To the wonderful cast: Tala Gouveia, Jason Watkins, Pixie Lott, Daniel Lapaine, Dipo Ola, John Gordon Sinclair, Charlie Jones, Bhavik C. Pankhania, Claire Skinner, Toby Stephens, Lydia Leonard, Rico Canadinhas, Ace Bhatti, Ali Lidbetter, thank you for bringing such heart, humour and truth to every moment. And to the team: from Executive Producers Damien Timmer, Robert Murphy, Charlotte Webber, Producer Joseph Shrubb, Line Producer Bridget Goodman, Production Executive Lorena Wright, to Blair Mowat (composer), Andy Moore (location manager), Tony Coldwell (cinematography), Dan Edwards (camera operator), our brilliant editors Ian Davies & Derek Holland, Susie Parriss (casting), Richard Drew (design), Tess Raggett (costume), Carol Cooper (make-up & hair), Chris Stoaling (first assistant director), right through to every single department across art, sound, camera, stunts, production, locations, editorial, music, continuity, catering, transport and beyond, your artistry, dedication and craft is what made this episode what it is. A special thank you as well to my fellow block directors Samantha Harrie and Stephen Gallacher, it was such a privilege to share the series with you both. And finally, to my incredible agent Nish Panchal and my wonderful family, thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement and belief. I couldn’t do this without you. I can’t name everyone here, but please know how grateful I am to each of you. This nomination is truly a recognition of the incredible hard work and talent behind the scenes. Thank you all for making this such a special project. #RTSMidlands #BestDirectorAward #McDonaldAndDodds #MammothScreen #ITVDrama #DirectorLife #BritishDrama #Gratitude #BehindTheScenes #ITVStudios #ITV #Director

Excited to share that the new series of Shakespeare & Hathaway will be returning on September 24th at 8pm on U&Alibi and I had the pleasure of lead directing on this series. It was such a fun shoot, filled with laughter and joy both on and off set. What made it even more special was getting to film in and around the Midlands - a place I’m proud to call home. As a Midlands-based director, being part of a Midlands-based show is something I truly cherished. Looking forward to sharing with everyone. #ShakespeareAndHathaway #Director #Drama #TV #Midlands #Filmmaking #BritishTV #BehindTheScenes #bbc #uandalibi #bbcstudios

🎬 Behind the Scenes, A Director’s View #5
 Every director has their own process. For me, it always begins long before stepping onto set - what I call pre-pre-production.
 Whenever I’m given a script that I fall in love with, my responsibility is to tell that story as truthfully and authentically as possible. But no matter how much experience I bring, there are always gaps in knowledge. That’s where research becomes everything.
 My background in documentary shaped this instinct. I immerse myself in communities, environments, and real experiences that mirror the world of the story.
 This process matters because actors look to directors for guidance. If I’ve done the groundwork, I can guide performances with confidence and make creative choices rooted in truth.
 I deeply respect the years of research and development that go into scripts. My role isn’t to rewrite, but to align myself with the material - so I can direct with integrity and depth.
 Storytelling, for me, is about making new connections, constantly learning, and finding the real - whether in drama or documentary. Because at its heart, we’re always striving to bring truth to the screen. 
#FilmDirector #DirectorsProcess #BehindTheScenes #AuthenticStorytelling #FilmmakingProcess #DramaDirecting #DocumentaryToDrama #FilmCommunity #VisualStorytelling #OnSetLife #FilmmakersOfInstagram #DirectorVision #Research #ActorsAndDirectors #FilmIndustry #CreativeProcess #TVDirector

🎬 Behind the Scenes, A Director’s View #4
 In 2012, I directed one of my earliest documentaries: Samiulla’s Story. On October 28th, 2009, Samiulla’s father was killed in a blast at Meena Bazaar in Peshawar, Pakistan. During the funeral, his uncle told him: “Do not cry for your father, because now it is you who has to be responsible. Either go to school or work in a shop - you will have to grow up and be strong.”
 At just a boy’s age, Samiulla chose to give up on his education and work to support his family. His story carried not only grief, but resilience.
 The film was supported by the Open Society Foundation and made for the Global Survivors Network. Shot entirely on DSLR cameras - then a new tool that allowed us to work discreetly - it was just myself and my brother crewing in a hostile environment. 
 Samiulla was uncomfortable with a traditional sit-down interview, which presented a challenge but also an opportunity. To respect his feelings, I opted for a visual approach, letting his voice guide the story. It created a more intimate and layered way of telling his truth.
 This documentary taught me: - The delicate balance of building trust, especially when filming with young people. - The responsibility of navigating a minor’s trauma with care, understanding, and safeguarding. - That documentary filmmaking is never just about the images - it is about empathy, respect, and ethical choices. - How limitations of time and resources can sharpen creativity. - And that authenticity often comes from working around, rather than against, a participant’s comfort.
 “Samiulla’s Story” remains one of the most important early films in my career - it showed me that as directors, our first duty is not to the camera, but to the people whose stories we are trusted to share. #DocumentaryFilm #TrueStories #HumanRights #SocialImpact #BehindTheScenes #VisualStorytelling #FilmmakingProcess #DocumentaryDirector #EthicalFilmmaking #IndependentFilm #StorytellingMatters #Safeguarding #TraumaInformed #GlobalStories #FilmCommunity #DirectorsLife #CreativeProcess #DSLRFilmmaking #FilmmakersOfInstagram #VoiceForTheVoiceless #Pakistan #Peshawar