West is West is for everyone: Ila Arun

Veteran actor Ila Arun believes Pakistani women will love her in West is West because she represents them in the film.

According to IANS, the actor, who plays Om Puri’s wife in the movie, said that films which put across the pain of women across the world should be screened especially in Asian countries.

The film is a sequel to the cult hit East is East (1999).

“It’s not just a movie for Pakistani women to watch, it’s for everyone,” Arun said, adding that her co-star, veteran Indian actor Om Puri was a “role model” for everyone.

Columnist Fifi Haroon recently wrote in The Express Tribune Magazine, “Sequels to a cult hit are notoriously risky and West is West can’t quite rise to the challenge of its predecessor. It’s perfectly watchable, even likable but just not as sharp or funny.”

The sequel sees George Khan (Puri) and his youngest son Sajid, move to Pakistan after Sajid’s behaviour worries Khan, who thinks Sajid needs to rediscover his roots. George and Sajid Khan head off to Punjab, where George’s first wife (Arun) lives with their daughters, who he had abandoned 35 years ago. West is West was shot in India. Its producer has said that a third film may also be on the cards in the future.

East is East was based on a play by Ayub Khan-Din, who scripted the film as well as the sequel. BBC Films’ Managing Director Jane Wright told the Telegraph in 2009 that she “couldn’t put the script down” when she read it. According to Wright, “I can’t think of anything more relevant or timely, as the idea of cultural identity has become hugely important.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2010.