The first woman filmmaker in the United Arab Emirates, Nayla Al Khaja is teaming with Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman for her upcoming feature film Baab. The film is written by Al Khaja and Masoud Amralla Al Ali.

According to sources, the film follows the story of Wahida who is trying to make sense of the death of her twin sister, which is shrouded in mystery. As she attempts to unravel the threads through hidden cassette tapes, she finds herself plagued by a haunting rhythm in her ears. Her grief takes her deep into the mountains to decipher the complexities of the human soul.

Speaking about the film, AR Rahman said, “I'm delighted to be working with Nayla on her feature film Baab, she's a passionate and promising filmmaker and an important creative voice within the Gulf region. The script is enigmatic, thought-provoking and promises to be both visually and emotionally engaging for universal audiences. I'm looking forward to the journey."

The film will begin shooting in March 2023 in Ras Al Khaimah, with the Jais mountains serving as a backdrop. The team behind the film has stated they will cast locals from the region for authenticity. Elly Senger-Weiss and Sultan Al Darmaki are producing the film, with Muna Easa Al Gurg set to executive produce.