Rafi Peer Theatre has previously been involved in multiple performing arts festivals. PHOTOS: PUBLICITY
LAHORE:
Think of theatre or puppetry in Pakistan and the first name that comes to mind is Rafi Peer Theatre. It has been over 40 years and the Peerzadas are still going strong. Sensing the tidal shift around them, they too have decided to take up the clapperboard and aim at producing at least three cinematic products that are at par with international standards. In fact, scripting for two has already been wrapped up and filming is to begin soon.
Talking to The Express Tribune, veteran actor-director-producer Usman Peerzada mooted how the company plans on operating both the purse and puppet strings. He is the one helming all three ventures, which is just the first phase of what the Peerzadas have in mind. “All three films will be rom-coms. Two of them will be shot in Pakistan, and the third, we plan on filming abroad,” he said.
The first movie has been written by Khalid Rahman Qamar while the second is the brainchild of Imran Peerzada. With casting well under way, the Peerzadas are on the lookout for a writer to pen the script of the third film. Usman went on to state that foreign performers will also be roped in for the projects, adding that the fans will have to wait for an official press conference for more inside information.
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With the aim of supporting the fledgling film industry, Usman hopes the new wave of film-makers keeps evolving with changing times. He feels there were multiple reasons why local cinema’s growth had stunted, with its resistance to adopting modern techniques being the prime issue. “Earlier, our cinema culture did not comply with changing trends. Now, the situation is different. We have state-of-the-art facilities in various cities and this is the reason we decided to produce films,” he said.
Usman said it is heartening to see the new crop of film-makers take charge of affairs. “A few elements ruined our film industry and it’s appreciable that a new crop of film-makers has set foot in this field and has been struggling for the revival of the industry,” he stated. He added that his own company plans on utilising modern technology and producing good quality films.
He said Rafi Peer Theatre has a history of representing Pakistani culture globally and that the time is ripe now to produce film content locally. “We have to our credit introducing Pakistani culture on a global level by organising cultural festivals. We now feel Pakistan needs to be represented through beautiful and well-thought-out films.” He said he has been planning the projects for a while now.
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A subsidiary company named Rafi Peer will be set up to handle the film business. Usman maintained the cinematic ventures will deviate operationally from their parent company’s methods and not incorporate puppetry. “I am negotiating with distributors for setting up the film company,” he noted. “We have a history of promoting the arts, particularly puppetry, but that won’t translate to the storylines of the films as they will be romantic-comedies.”
Usman is by no means a newbie in the film circuit. Having set foot in the entertainment industry in 1970, a time when the old school was still up and running, he has helmed a string of films as a producer. “I am basically a film guy. I have earlier produced Nazdikiyan and Gori Diyan Jhanjran that won several awards despite being made on tight budgets,” he said. The former bagged four national awards and the latter secured seven.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2015.
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