A film conceived in Karachi Central Jail

Farouq Mengal opens up on ‘Hijrat’, rumoured differences with Rabia Butt

KARACHI:

External stimuli play a pivotal role in the creative process. Screenplay writing is a serious professional pursuit that consumes the writer fully. Some of the world’s biggest screenwriters are known for the peculiarities of their methods. There are those who prefer solitude; then there are some who climb exotic locations, all in pursuit of channelising their thoughts in an effective manner.

Director-writer Farouq Mengal was exonerated from his deceased wife Afreen Baig’s murder case in 2009 when a sessions court put an end to the ‘whodunit’ story. He however did spend time in confinement at Central Prison Karachi and that is where he conceived his debut feature film – Hijrat. “I came up with the idea of the film when I was behind bars,” he told The Express Tribune.

While others may find troubled times counter-productive, Mengal said it was the very phase that inspired some of the major themes of the film. “Aadmi jaisa hota hai, log bhi usko waisay hi dikhtay hain,” he remarked. He said he was wronged by the system; hence, he saw many around him as products of society’s failure. “It constitutes a major part of Hijrat.”





The film also incorporates some of Mengal’s personal experiences growing up in Chaghi, Balochistan. “Man has created all these lines and borders which were never supposed to be there. The film also touches upon that,” noted the director. Not wanting to divulge the plot details, Mengal shared a one-line gist of the film, saying, “It is actually a romantic story set against the backdrop of political events.”

The film tells the story of a man who comes all the way from Turkey to Quetta to conduct some research and compile a report and, in the process, falls in love with the character essayed by Rabia Butt. “Basically, it’s about how a guy hailing from a very different world like Turkey falls in love in the most barren of places.”

The film has been in production for the better part of the past two years, sparking rumours that it was delayed because of a rift between Rabia and Mengal regarding some personal matters. “Contrary to popular belief, I share an excellent rapport with all those involved in the film, including Butt.” He said the film was being shot in anamorphic format and that might be the reason for the delay and subsequent rumours. “So the delay in post-production may have led to all these rumours,” he explained.



Mengal said Butt was a “pillar of support” throughout the film-making process. “Rabia has been like an arm to me throughout.”

Hijrat also marks Mengal’s migration to the silver screen after years of working on television. While many would have gone for more established actors with a film debut, Mengal instead chose to work with acting newcomers.

Explaining his decision to cast fresh faces, he said, “I have always worked with new people even in my television serials. The best part about working with all these newcomers is that I can mould them into my own style. So, if they are praised, we share the credit but if they are criticised, I take the blame up front.”

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

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.