What did they ever do for our country?

Title card for the film 'Bleed' with the subtitle 'Verisimilitude Films,' featuring a black background with red, distressed text and paint splatter effects.

written and directed by sikander malik

Copyright Verisimilitude Films Ltd 2025 All Rights Reserved  

Kaleel (Kal) Awan, a British Muslim soldier, returns home after serving his country, only to face rejection from the far right, his community, and even his family. Forced to become homeless and disconnected from his sense of self, Kal must choose to fall apart, or rise up after uncovering a hidden and forgotten legacy.

That legacy? Millions of Muslims from British ruled India fought and died for Britain in both World Wars. But no one talks about it. They will now.

STORY

Historical black and white photograph of soldiers in uniform with equipment and weapons, smiling during a break or gathering outdoors.
Black and white photo of a young girl talking to seated soldiers, some with turbans, in a line on the ground.
A group of soldiers in uniform kneeling in prayer on the ground in a line with their boots in front of them, during a memorial or religious ceremony. In the background, civilians or other figures stand observing.
Nighttime scene of a man in camouflage military uniform walking past a blue wall with peeling paint and a streetlight casting a glow, with parked cars along the street.

OUR MISSION

BRING THEIR UNTOLD STORIES HOME

We want this film to highlight the sacrifice made by ethnic minority communities to defend Britain in WW1 and WW2 - specifically, the Indian Muslim community. Men that died so that we could have the freedoms we enjoy in this country. One which tells their descendants to leave and “go back home”. We want this film to help push for a national day of remembrance for this contribution that helped to bring both WW1 and WW2 to an end, and ensure peace.

“A NATIONAL DAY OF

REMEMBERANCE”

WRITER & DIRECTOR

A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a black t-shirt with white trim, sitting indoors with a brown wooden background.

Sikander Malik is a British actor, writer, and director whose work bridges powerful storytelling with a striking cinematic vision. Having appeared in projects ranging from Rocky Balboa to acclaimed British television dramas, Sikander has honed his craft both in front of and behind the camera. As a filmmaker, he is driven by a passion for human stories told with authenticity, style, and emotional resonance. Through his production banner, Verisimilitude Films Ltd, he is developing bold independent films such as BELONG - work that explore identity, resilience, and the extraordinary within the everyday. With an eye for detail, a commitment to truth, and a love for cinema’s power to move and transform, Sikander continues to shape a body of work that is as personal as it is universal.

THE TEAM

Black and white logo for 'Reel Cosmic' with the text 'Verisimilitude Films' above, featuring a distressed font with space and galaxy-themed paint splashes and a small astronaut figure within the letter 'O'.

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