Nargis finds bliss in ringing the curtain up

Returns to stage after three-year hiatus with drama starting Oct 30 and green-lights film ‘Dushman Rani’

LAHORE:

Back in 2012, in the presence of the media, Nargis had vowed never to return to stage and announced to become a preacher. As they say contradictions make us human; three years on, she is back in town and in business, having signed a stage drama and drumming up efforts to put together her film Dushman Rani.

Theatre activities will resume once again after the brief Muharram break and Nargis’ drama will be staged at Shalimar Theatre, starting October 30. Helming the project herself, she is busy finalising her cast these days. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Nargis shares it is the right time to make a comeback. “I was streamlining various matters and now I am relaxed and willing to work. Theatre has always been my field of choice; so I have decided to restart my career with a stage drama.”

It has been well over two months since Nargis returned from Canada. She was not seen at social events, let alone on stage, and was concentrating on her beauty parlour business only. Now that she is back, she is aware of how several new actors have arrived since her departure. But she is certain that her loyal fans will not disappoint her. “I know the audiences still want to see Nargis,” she says.

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There was a time when Nargis and her sister Deedar ruled the stage as the highest-paid actors in the industry. Audiences would flock to theatres to catch a glimpse of Nargis and she’d make the best of her popularity —  charging as much as Rs2 million for a single play. Her return has made fellow actors hopeful of a revival of stage drama in the city.

Shalimar Theatre’s owner, Malik Tahir, seems delighted with her return. “Nargis is still a big name in the world of theatre and we are expecting a huge turnout at the play. So far, actors Mahnoor, Sunahir Khan, Payal, Qaiser Piya and Nawaz Anjum have been roped in,” he shares.

On the film front, Nargis gave the green light to director Pervaiz Rana to start work on Dushman Rani during a meeting at her residence. “Kamal Pasha has written the script of the film and I have already finalised shooting locations. We are all waiting on Nargis’ directives to begin filming,” says Rana. He adds another meeting has been scheduled to happen after the Muharram break, where Nargis will give her input on the storyline. “She is very enthusiastic about the film,” he added. In fact, for her role in the movie, she has also begun following a strict gym routine.

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In an earlier conversation with The Express Tribune, Nargis said, “All those who are a part of Lollywood should play their part by producing good films. I stopped working due to domestic reasons, but always thought about the crisis in Lollywood and now, I will continuously focus on my film career.” She had added that she is a professional film actor and can’t stay away from the industry for long.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2015.

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