Atiqa Odho in awe of new crop of filmmakers but credits Pakistani dramas for invaluable contribution to culture industry . PHOTO: QURATULAIN KHALID
Having spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry, Atiqa Odho occupies a permanent niche in the hearts of Pakistan’s Generation Y which grew up watching her in one drama serial after the other. And when she successfully transitioned from television to the big screen in the early 1990s, her fan base was solidified even further.
“It was a time when Lollywood was suffering greatly and I wanted to contribute to it,” says Atiqa in an interview with The Express Tribune. Movies like Jo Dar Gaya Woh Mar Gaya (JDGWMG), Mommy and Mujhe Chand Chahiye propelled Atiqa to stardom and it was here that she received great respect and adulation for her work. “JDGWMG remained played in cinemas for six whole months,” says Atiqa, happily. “It was indeed a very wonderful experience. Today, I see our film industry on the road to revival. This is definitely the right direction.”
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An avid fan of cinema herself, Atiqa sings nothing but praises for the current crop of films that Pakistan has churned out over the past few years. “Our filmmakers have taken a keen effort to draw in the crowd. They are very talented and brave,” says Atiqa. “You cannot desire change until you master transformation yourself and allow the change to happen”. She says that cinematic history is such that there were no films in between but now, people are working hard to reestablish the industry once again.
“I have been a cinema buff all my life and grew up watching classics like Aina a drive-in cinema,” responds Atiqa when questioned about taking up more movie projects in the future. “We should make things that will leave an impact — something our children can remember in the years to come. Today’s television has, unfortunately, been hijacked by politics and offers no real entertainment. I hope to see good dramas on screen and believe channels are responsible for this.”
As a member of the prestigious United Producers Association (UPA), Atiqa believes the Pakistani film industry must organise itself as a community to gain strength. “We may be strong individually but as a community, we will be stronger. UPA works as a platform from where producers across the country can communicate and collaborate on different projects,” says Atiqa. It was launched seven years ago, and now includes 170 members.
Interestingly, Atiqa seems rather apprehensive about the cross-border exchange of artists between Pakistan and India and claims to have rejected many offers from the latter during her heyday. “My first Bollywood offer came soon after the serial Sitara Aur Mehrunnissa was aired but I somehow never felt comfortable with the idea,” shares Atiqa. “I always felt the need to work here in Pakistan as I love the black-and-white cinema from the time of Shabnum and Nadeem.” The actor firmly believes that Pakistan should consider itself lucky for how valuable its Urdu dramas are. “I think it’s great that we can now view these dramas on the big screen too. Besides, Pakistan and India differ in their social values and culture. We need to adapt and pick our own flavour to delight the world ourselves.”
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According to Atiqa, people who hail from the field of performing arts carry the social responsibility to deliver a positive message to the world. “Entertainment is a powerful way of educating a massive audience,” she explains. “Writers and actors and the likes should have utmost faith in their own talents and remain honest to their audience, instead of being faithful to their employers. The audience is the actual, real market which will access your creativity.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2015.
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