Here comes the sun: The good side of the bad guy

Legendary actor Mustafa Qureshi talks about the decline and recent revival of Pakistan’s film industry

LAHORE:

For someone who will be best known as the villain in seminal Lollywood production Maula Jatt, Mustafa Qureshi is much-loved by movie buffs.

Born in Hyderabad on May 11, 1940, the legendary actor has starred in nearly 500 Punjabi and Urdu films. Initially known for his versatility, Qureshi’s character of villain Noori Natt in Maula Jatt set the path for his popularity as Lollywood’s most famous antagonist. Now, at the age of 75, Qureshi still exudes a youthful exuberance, especially when talking about all things filmy. When The Express Tribune catches up with him to discuss the past, present and future of Pakistan’s film industry, Qureshi is brimming with optimism. For, according to him, there is good reason to be so.



“New talent has given hope to a dwindling film industry in the country. Qualified youth from Karachi, in particular, has done a wonderful job to revive it,” he says of the recent barrage of local productions gracing cinema screens. “We ruled the film industry with our hard work and talent, but the lack of government interest let us down. The attitude of the ruling class is also a major reason for the crisis that afflicts this industry,” he adds as a caveat.

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“I am happy to see two Pakistani films, Bin Roye and Wrong No, attract moviegoers to cinemas. The success of these films on Eid sends a message to all producers and directors: people still want to go see good films,” says Qureshi. “In our time, we would work on six or seven films for Eid; we were addicted to hard work. But our film crisis began once we kicked the habit and failed to keep up with modern trends,” he laments.

Qureshi says there is now a need, more than ever, for good scriptwriters, poets, musicians, directors and actors to step up. They are the basic components of success for any film, adds the actor. Not one to sit on the sidelines and be content just giving advice, Qureshi is all set for the screening of Shor Sharaba, a film he has directed and co-produced, next month.



But as his mood turns sombre, Qureshi delves deeper into the decline of Pakistani cinema. “After the creation of Pakistan, we did not establish a strong department with regards to the film industry as it was not a priority. India’s film industry is so strong because successive governments established departments and institutions to support it. A national film authority was established during Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s tenure, but the government ignored us afterwards. If we want to revive Lollywood, we should allot healthy budgets for it. We can generate considerable revenue, as we did in the past.”

When asked if he feels the lure of Bollywood, especially now that so many Pakistani artists have crossed over, Qureshi says he’s waiting for the right film. “I got some offers from Bollywood, but my priority is to work on a good film. Whenever I get the opportunity, I will.”

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But Qureshi makes it clear his heart is where his home is. “No doubt the Indians have a big industry and are doing a good job, but I am hopeful our youth will compete with them as we did in the past. We have started realising our shortcomings and world-class cinemas have also been constructed in Karachi, Lahore and other cities of the country.” All this makes Qureshi feel golden days for the silver screen lie right ahead.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd,  2015.

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