The world is watching what India is doing to its heroes: Sangeeta

Sangeeta says those who want to work in Bollywood should learn a lesson from Aamir Khan’s controversy

LAHORE:

The entire world is watching what India is doing to its heroes today. Those who want to work in Bollywood or are interested in co-production should learn a lesson from the treatment towards actor Aamir Khan.

This was said by film director Sangeeta during a press conference at Evernew Studio in Lahore. She said it is a shame that Indian extremists are now announcing prizes for those who would slap their own heroes.

“Mahesh Bhatt offered me to direct a film in India. In the past, even Raj Kapoor had offered me to work in Prem Rog. But I refused on both occasions because I am aware of their mentality,” she said. Sangeeta said she is committed to reviving cinema in her own country. “Our honour is associated with Pakistan’s well-being. There is no shortage of talent here. We saw that films that were made in Karachi did really well in the presence of Indian films on the box office.” She said its high time film-makers from Lahore also change gears and work for the betterment of the industry. “If we work hard, a time will come when India will start following us.”



She said Karachi’s media professionals changed the game for Pakistani cinema. “Films such as Wrong Number, Main Hoon Shahid Afridi and Na Maloom Afraad are all really well done,” she said. Sangeeta said she is returning from a hiatus to make films that are in harmony with current trends.



“In the past, I used to make films according to the prevalent taste of film viewers. Times have now changed and my upcoming film, Tum Hi To Ho, comprises all new faces. “I took a break from film-making to review the problems that the industry was facing. People no longer want to see the Meeras and Sanas and Reshams. All my actors are new and they are giving their 100%. It is now time for the new generation to take charge.” Flanked by her cast members including Danish Taimour, Lucky Ali, Mathira and others, she said Tum Hi To Ho is a musical love story for which filming will be complete by January next year. “The storyline revolves around the issues of college girls and I hope that people like it,” she said. A mass advertising campaign is also being planned, which will begin once the film’s post-production has ended. “The film is soaked in the gist of my own life experiences,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th,  2015.

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