Tribute to a showbiz, literary legend premieres in Karachi

The premiere of the documentary film, 'Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere', made on Pakistan's eminent actor, director, broadcaster, and the owner of a unique voice and diction, Zia Mohyeddin, was held at a cinema in the city. The film, completed after nearly 15 years of tireless effort, covers Zia Mohyeddin's higher education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in the United Kingdom, his role in the famous 1960s film, 'Lawrence of Arabia', his celebrated PTV show, the 'Zia Mohyeddin Show', and his many years of service as the head of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).

The 100-minute documentary, 'Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere', will be screened on January 30 in selected cinemas in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.

The film was recorded at NAPA, Karachi and various locations in Karachi and Lahore, while the editing process alone took nearly two years.

The premiere ceremony of 'Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere', which encompasses the artistic services and personal life of the late renowned actor, broadcaster, and director Zia Mohyeddin, was held at the well-known Nueplex Cinema in Defence Phase 8. A large number of admirers of Urdu literature and fine arts attended the event. Credit for creating this unique film—unprecedented in Pakistan—goes to its director, Umar Riaz. While studying drama in the United States, he decided to pay tribute to this multifaceted Pakistani personality in a distinctive manner.

Before fully realizing this idea, Umar Riaz made a short video of Zia Mohyeddin's recitation and took it to his academy in the United States. Despite not knowing Urdu, the English instructors there were deeply captivated by Zia Mohyeddin's recitation, which encouraged him to expand the short video into a full-length documentary. Work on the film began during Zia Mohyeddin's lifetime. Although thorough research and filming took considerable time, the final version of the film stands as a unique experiment of its kind.

Speaking to Express News, director Umar Riaz said that before beginning production, each frame of the film was envisioned conceptually from multiple angles. Extensive research was conducted on Zia Mohyeddin's long list of artistic contributions. The film highlights not only his work in Hollywood and Britain, but also his television career in Pakistan and, in particular, his enduring association with the National Academy of Performing Arts, where he remained active until the end of his life.

According to Umar Riaz, much of his inspiration for making the film came from watching Zia Mohyeddin's recitations of Faiz Ahmed Faiz's poetry and, at times, Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib's letters. These were occasions when audiences would arrive well before the scheduled time, often resulting in a shortage of seating. The rapt attention with which people listened to Zia Mohyeddin's recitation was a unique experience for him.

It cannot be claimed that the documentary presents Zia Mohyeddin's entire body of work, as time constraints made it impossible to depict everything. However, it can be said that an effort was made to 'contain an ocean in a small vessel'. The complete production took 15 years, with approximately two years devoted to editing.

The film shows that when Zia Mohyeddin returned to Pakistan after his role in 'Lawrence of Arabia', a large number of fans were present at the airport to welcome him. He was among the first Pakistani actors to appear in an expensive Hollywood film, playing the role of an Arab Tafas in 1962. Despite limited screen time, his impactful performance established his talent, and he came to be counted among the pioneering Pakistani actors to appear in a major international production.

According to Zia Mohyeddin's wife, Azra, during the first ten years of the film's development, most consultations were held directly with Zia Mohyeddin himself. Although he was able to see only a portion of the filmed material, much was conveyed in that limited duration. She is confident that Umar Riaz's hard work will not go to waste, as the film is the result of long and dedicated effort.

Renowned intellectual and cultural thinker Javed Jabbar stated that the manner in which this documentary has been woven together gives it a unique and outstanding dimension—an experiment never before attempted in Pakistan. He added that documentary films, often referred to as 'dast?vezi' films in Pakistan, have never been given the status they deserve. There is a common misconception that documentaries are limited in scope or confined to specific subjects, which is entirely incorrect. Through such films, a perspective can be effectively conveyed, as director Umar Riaz has done masterfully in 'Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere'. This experiment possesses a distinct and remarkable quality.

The film also includes reflections from Zia Mohyeddin's two former wives as well as from the daughters of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Conversations by Syeda Arifa Zahra and Daud Rahbar about Zia Mohyeddin are prominently featured, shedding light on habits and principles of his that are not widely known to the public.

At the end of the documentary, Zia Mohyeddin is shown travelling by car through the streets of Lahore, searching for his house in an upscale area. Years later, the house has changed its appearance entirely. He is seen reminiscing about the 14 jamun (black plum) trees that once stood nearby, most of which have since been cut down. Seeing concrete houses replace greenery in front of his former home, he expresses visible sorrow.

According to the film team, 'Rang Hai Dil Ka Mere' will be released on January 30 in selected cinemas in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore.