Indo-Pak filmmakers ready to cross the LoC
Yet another Indo-Pak peace initiative has been announced at a time when cross-border skirmishes are a daily affair and political controversies the staple diet for news hour debates. A dozen directors from Pakistan, and India each, will come together to promote harmony through hour-long shorts, which will connect the countries through a common theme. A Zee brainchild, Zeal for Unity, will showcase their work on a single platform and facilitate an apolitical exchange. Some of the popular Indian names roped in include Aparna Sen, Ketan Mehta, Nikhil Advani, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Bejoy Nambiar and Tanuja Chandra. Their Pakistani counterparts who have come on board are Mehreen Jabbar, Sabiha Sumar, Khalid Ahmad, Shahbaz Sumar, Shiraj Ul Haq and Meenu Farjad.
Dhulia’s short film, Baarish aur Chowmein, has been shot over eight days across Mumbai. Taapsee Pannu plays a back-up dancer and Vidyut Jamwal, an actor in a guest appearance. It also features Amit Sadh. The filmmaker said, “For me the Partition was one of the biggest tragedies of the millennium, the endeavour is our way of making people realise that we are still one.”
Mehta’s Pankaj Kapur-starrer, Toba Tek Singh is based on a satire penned by Urdu writer Saddat Hasan Manto. “There will be events in both countries to promote our work which gives us a wider audience. I’m looking forward to this cultural exchange,” he beamed.
Dhulia’s short film, Baarish aur Chowmein, has been shot over eight days across Mumbai. Taapsee Pannu plays a back-up dancer and Vidyut Jamwal, an actor in a guest appearance. It also features Amit Sadh. The filmmaker said, “For me the Partition was one of the biggest tragedies of the millennium, the endeavour is our way of making people realise that we are still one.”
Mehta’s Pankaj Kapur-starrer, Toba Tek Singh is based on a satire penned by Urdu writer Saddat Hasan Manto. “There will be events in both countries to promote our work which gives us a wider audience. I’m looking forward to this cultural exchange,” he beamed.
Nambiar echoes his views, saying, “It’s a great idea and I’m waiting for reactions to my film, Doobara, from both countries. I’m looking forward to making friends in Pakistan.” Pakistani director Shahbaz, who will showcase his short, titled Khaeme Mein Matt Jhankain, stated, “It’s a rare opportunity provided. It should be interesting if people fail to tell which film is from India and which from Pakistan .”
