The play’s premise springs from history. In 1982, Paul H Nitze (USA) and Yuli A Kvitsinsky (USSR) left their official Geneva sessions for a private walk in the woods and achieved a breakthrough that was later rejected by their governments.
“The journey to peace, stability and interfaith harmony must continue...my love for Faiz Ahmed Faiz keeps me coming back to Pakistan. I will be performing here for the third time,” Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah said on his arrival at Wagha border on Sunday.
Shah arrived in Lahore with his theatre troupe, Motley Theatre, on an invitation from Faiz Foundation Trust (Faiz Ghar) to perform at Alhamra on The Mall, in the first week of December.
Shah said he would love to return to Pakistan every year to perform. “If film producers here made more films like Zinda Bhaag, I would work with them...presently there are no such offers,” he said.
Asked about the movie Waar, Shah said that he hadn’t seen the movie as it had not been released in India. “But I’ve heard it’s a technically sound production,” he said.
“Personally I am not fond of films that portray our countries in a negative light,” Shah said. “They present our nations as enemies.”
Movies that address the problems faced by people should be made on both sides of the border, he said.
Shah said theatre artists must keep up the good work regardless of whether they were appreciated for it.
“I am looking forward to enjoying Lahori food,” he said. “People here have always inspired me with their hospitality...I hope they continue to serve me good food.”
Shah and his theatre troupe will perform at an event organised by the Faiz Foundation Trust, Model Town, to raise funds for Faiz Ghar and the Faiz Museum and Cultural Centre.
A Walk in the Woods, directed by Ratna Pathak Shah, starring Shah and Rajit Kapur, will be staged on December 5 and 6. The play revolves around two diplomats participating in peace talks. They take a walk in the woods after negotiations break down and discuss the issues surrounding their countries.
The play’s premise springs from history. In 1982, Paul H Nitze (USA) and Yuli A Kvitsinsky (USSR) left their official Geneva sessions for a private walk in the woods and achieved a breakthrough that was later rejected by their governments.
Three plays will be performed from December 7 to 8, 2013: Bade Bhai Sahab and Shatranj Ke Khiladi, directed by Naseeruddin Shah, and Sankraman (The Circle of Life). The first two plays are based on short stories by writer Prem Chand. The third play is by Kamtanath.
Bade Bhai Sahab is a tale of two brothers narrated by the younger brother. Shatranj Ke Khiladi is a satirical play set in days prior to the 1857 war. It is about two indulgent feudal lords obsessed with chess and prepared to give up just about anything for the game.
Sankraman is the story of a middleclass family in Uttar Pradesh. It shows how people, when they reach middle age, are often startled by flash backs of their parents and how similar their actions and appearances are to theirs.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2013.
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naseeruddin shah is a syedzada from a royal lineage from sardhana state in pre independence india. his aunt was a congress MP in rajya sabha and was close to indira gandhi in the 1970s.
from a deeply conservative muslim background he happens to be an "outsider" who has surpassed all contemporary artistes in this field.
to begin jingoism and ultra nationalist discourse now, while naseer ud din is simply here to promote art across the border is in utter bad taste.
many of naseer ud din shah's aunts and uncles migrated to pakistan and are happily settled in lahore, karachi etc. just like shehryaar khan happens to be nawab of pataudi's first cousin.
why discuss non issues like Waar, a highly emotive and other controversial movies that are made to promote hate, warmongering and bigotry? naseer shah does not believe in HATE and let him be plez?
Positive people like Shah are always welcome to Pakistan. He will be remembered as a giant actor/performer who bring together two big nations.
December is 'Month of Defeat and mega-Surrender' for Pakistan.
Did the necessity of this article arise after WAAR's success? So it seems. Why do you people find it hard to praise your own films? Do you lot hate yourselves as a nation that much?