Pay that ticket amount, go to cinemas: Celebs at KLF panel talk revival of local cinema

A star-studded panel at KLF led to detailed insights

A diverse panel featuring prominent figures from the Pakistani entertainment industry, including Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza, Faryal Mehmood, Abid Aziz Merchant, and Bee Gul, provided insightful discussions at the Karachi Literature Festival. Moderated by Saba Karim Khan, the panel dove into various aspects of storytelling, and the current state of Pakistani cinema.

Bee Gul, a renowned playwright, emphasised the importance of storytelling in reflecting society's dynamics. She shared, "These days, there are many political and non-political stories to tell. We're telling a story but also, we're writing history through fiction. It is extremely important that as a playwright, I must dutifully write about what I see. I don't have to portray it as good or bad. I must simply tell it like it is and have it reach [the audience]. I think that is what a good story is all about. The reflection of society, what I see, where I've grown up, who my people are, stories around me - if, through words, I can tell that tale, this is a good story for me. It's an honest story, at least. That honesty is a good story, definitely."  

Mohib emotionally reflected on the significant role his father played in his life, being a source of inspiration in the creative arts. He said, "It's just been a year-and-a-half, two years since his passing, so it is quite an emotional situation for me. My father's role in my life is quite important, as is the case with all parents. Directly or indirectly, he is your first star. He is the first hero in your life. Due to circumstances, he could not practice the creative arts. This doesn't mean that due to this, I became an actor. But I got an environment where there were ghazal nights, talk about poetry, or Anwar Maqsood Sahab reading something on the TV, and if I had a question, I'd receive a great answer."  He credited his father for providing constructive feedback on his projects, contributing to his growth as an artist. Additionally, Mohib highlighted the significance of being in sync and rhythm, which he believes is the crux of being in an artistic field. 

Sanam discussed the recent shift in Pakistani cinema towards more realistic and gritty genres. She opined, "This recent wave of films that have just come out, like Faryal's Wakhri, or Chikkar, or Taxali Gate - these are the genres that we usually would want to see on TV but couldn't because of stereotypical or taboo topics that were being discussed. Our films would solely consist of entertainment. And very unrealistic, very fantastical, you couldn't really connect with them, it was pure entertainment." 

She furthered, "But I'm excited now that these four, five films that have come to the cinema, including Nayab, we've now moved towards the more gritty genre to show a more real side of life. The topics are darker, more relatable, and more emotional, because they show the underbelly of society, as opposed to this fantastical dance sequence in a village. Thankfully, we're steering away from weddings because that's all we see on TV, in life, and on social media."

The star continued, "I'm really excited because such genres were only available on online platforms, and here, online platforms aren't available in large numbers for Pakistanis, and everyone is not subscribed to online platforms. I encourage everyone to go to cinemas because initially we were disheartened by the kinds of films that were being made but I think it's important. People say that we say, 'Support cinema. Give us something good to support.' But it's very important that we still pay that ticket amount, and go to cinemas, so that cinemas can continue and cinema makers, actors, and filmmakers stay encouraged."

Highlighting the importance of films, Sanam said, "Films have changed perspectives, and opinions about different countries. Films have brought people together. They've had such a strong impact on our understanding of the world. No story lives unless someone wants to hear it. You have to keep giving them stories, someone out there will hear them." 

Abid expressed deep disappointment over the banning of his film, I'll Meet You There, in Pakistan. The film, starring Faran Tahir and Qavi Khan, aimed to challenge stereotypes by depicting Muslims as not being terrorists. Abid clarified that the ban was imposed because the censor board misunderstood the film's narrative. The board claimed the film portrayed Muslims as terrorists, despite the storyline actually highlighting the FBI's suspicion. Abid lamented the lack of understanding and called for a more liberal approach from the censor board. Despite the ban, he noted that the Hollywood Muslim Affairs Council honoured the film and its team. "Censor board has to be a bit more understanding and more liberal," he asserted.  

Faryal shared her experience working on Wakhri, a film paying tribute to Qandeel Baloch. "When I read the script, it made me think that it's crazy - would it run in Pakistan?" wondered the star. Faryal also denied claims of the film being "bold." She stated, "To receive such a script, where it's a tribute to Qandeel Baloch...and just to play her or someone like her and not be judged the way she was, that was my main goal. That somewhere, the audience has a soft point for me, for this character...And it was quite difficult to show skin and still have people feel for you in this society."

Showcasing her love for the film, the actor mentioned, "When people come to me and say they couldn't watch Wakhri, I say, 'Too bad.' It was actually a very good film." Rallying support for local cinema, Faryal shared, "If we aren't going to support our cinema, on which we work so hard and craft with love, then we shouldn't expect the same from outside. And here, it's the opposite. People don't even step outside to watch movies. We need a cinema revival." The star also retorted, "I don't know if I want to do an art film for Pakistan anymore because they get banned over the smallest thing, if the truth is told. And I don't want to do anything that's not honest." She also heaped praises on Jamun Ka Darakht. "We deserve to watch this cinema," lamented Faryal.

Mohib highlighted the importance of marketing plans and understanding social media algorithms in the success of films. He commended the massive marketing campaign of The Legend of Maula Jatt, emphasising the challenges faced by art films with limited marketing budgets. He also pointed out that trailers often fail to set the right expectations for viewers.

Moreover, Sanam spoke about her hiatus from television. "I haven't done TV in five years because nothing appeals to me when the scripts come and because when there is one good script, there are so many actors available for that." She highlighted the power of television in showcasing positive and diverse stories, shaping viewers' perspectives.

Regarding the term "bold," Sanam challenged the conventional definition. "Bold is the open corruption, ongoing violence against women, thinking marital rape is okay, cruelty against children by wives of judges and getting away with it - these things are bold," claimed the star. "These things should be looked down upon, should be shocking, and seen through the Islamic lens, because Islam doesn't justify any of this."

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