Hope not always a bad thing?

Pakistan Film Writers’ Association office reopened after 10 years

LAHORE:

Located in the city’s Evernew Studio, the dilapidated old office of Pakistan Film Writers’ Association has stood eerily silent for over 10 years. This is not to say things have always been the same for this forsaken place. There was a time when one could witness the likes of Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and Josh Malihabadi engrossed in discussions, hear the laughter of Riaz Shahid and the chatter of Madam Noor Jahan, Mehdi Hassan, Reshma and countless others at this meeting place of those who lived and breathed cinema.

They say hope is not always a bad thing and perhaps this is exactly what the association’s incumbent secretary general, Rashid Sajid, had in mind when he reopened the doors of this office that was at one time frequented by some of the most prominent names of our literary and film circles. Hits such as Banarsi Thugg, Shaheed, Katari, Maula Jutt, Gandasa, Firangi and Tere Pyar Mein were all penned behind the very walls of this space that was set up almost 50 years ago.

“This is a historic office which back in the 70s and 80s saw film business at its peak,” the senior film writer told The Express Tribune. “I started visiting this office again in hopes that situation would soon improve. It may not be as effective, but our association still exists. We even organise our elections after every two years. The sole purpose of this association is to protect the interests of writers.”



Poet Altaf Bajwa said the association historically never catered to Lahore-based writers only. “Around 350 film writers from Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and other cities were also members,” he said. “There was a genuine reason for the closure of this office as the production of quality films in Lollywood ceased. It’s rather painful to see the office in this sorry state. The business of film-making has started once again in the country and I am hopeful that this will result in the restoration of film-related activity at the office.”

According to veteran film writers, many professionals associated with the industry were forced to quit when Lollywood got caught in its tragic whirlpool. Those who stood for quality productions and compositions became silent, much like the office itself, withdrawing themselves from the industry. “This office remained shut for many years,” recalled film writer Kamal Pasha. “It was once the centre of all literary discussions and saw many young film writers learning the skill from their superiors. One of the most prominent reasons behind the crisis and the closure of the office was poor script writing, something that resulted in the destruction of Lollywood as we knew it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2016.

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