Showing posts with label Mehreen Jabbar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mehreen Jabbar. Show all posts
Why sacrifice art due to political turmoil, asks Ek Jhoothi Love Story's Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar
8:08 AM
With Ek Jhoothi Love Story set to release on Zindagi, Pakistani filmmaker Mehreen Jabbar says cultural exchange across borders should be encouraged
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 18, 2020)
After Asim Abassi's much loved show Churails, Zindagi channel is set to follow it up with another Pakistani original, a rom-com titled Ek Jhoothi Love Story. Through its leads, played by Bilal Abbas Khan and Madiha Imam, the October 30 offering shines a spotlight on South Asia's favourite subject — weddings.
Mehreen Jabbar, who has taken the directorial reins, says she was itching to make a social comedy set against the landscape of arranged marriages. "This show is a commentary on the prevalent culture of finding 'rishtas' and the relevance of arranged marriages in times of social media. It tries to tackle the unrealistic expectations of a partner—some want the guy/girl to be a green card holder, others want a doctor or an engineer. Even young people start pandering to their ideas of Prince Charming, becoming people they are not," begins the director over a phone call from New York.
The Zee5 show comes close on the heels of Indian Matchmaking, which also focused on arranged marriages and received flak for glorifying regressive cultural practices. Having watched the Netflix series, Jabbar asserts, "Our idea was to explore the stereotypes perpetuated by rishta aunties, even our own parents. By the end of the show, I hope people walk away understanding the progressive stand we've taken. We have consciously decided not to fall into the trap of strengthening archaic ideologies."
The celebrated director is no stranger to Indian cinema, having collaborated with several Indian artistes, including Nandita Das in Ramchand Pakistani (2008). Despite the strained equation between India and Pakistan, Jabbar believes cultural exchange between the two countries must not be discouraged. "There is so much shared history between us, right from language and songs to beyond. Cultural exchange across borders should not be interrupted because cultural ambassadors are the most important means to forge peace and friendship. Music, art and cinema should not be subject to politics. The US and Iranian governments hate each other, but they watch each other's films. When trade and travel can go on between the countries, why should art be sacrificed due to political turmoil?"
Dozen directors from India-Pakistan will showcase their work on a common platform
8:33 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 8, 2015)
Yet another Indo-Pak peace initiative has been announced at a time when cross-border skirmishes are a daily affair and political controversies the staple diet for news hour debates. A dozen directors from Pakistan, and India each, will come together to promote harmony through hour-long shorts, which will connect the countries through a common theme.
A Zee brainchild, Zeal For Unity, will showcase their work on a single platform and facilitate an apolitical exchange. Some of the popular Indian names roped in include Aparna Sen, Ketan Mehta, Nikhil Advani, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Bejoy Nambiar and Tanuja Chandra. Their Pakistani counterparts who have come on board are Mehreen Jabbar, Sabiha Sumar, Khalid Ahmad, Shahbaz Sumar, Shiraj Ul Haq and Meenu Farjad.
Dhulia's short film, Baarish aur Chowmein, has been shot over eight days across Mumbai. Taapsee Pannu plays a back-up dancer and Vidyut Jamwal, an actor in a guest appearance. It also features Amit Sadh. The filmmaker said, “For me the Partition was one of the biggest tragedies of the millennium, the endeavour is our way of making people realise that we are still one.“
Mehta's Pankaj Kapur-starrer, Toba Tek Singh is based on a satire penned by Urdu writer Saddat Hasan Manto. “There will be events in both countries to promote our work which gives us a wider audience. I'm looking forward to this cultural exchange,“ he beamed.
Nambiar echoes his views, saying, “It's a great idea and I'm waiting for reactions to my film, Doobara, from both countries. I'm looking forward to making friends in Pakistan.“
Pakistani director Shahbaz, who will showcase his short, titled Khaeme Mein Matt Jhankain, stated, “It's a rare opportunity provided. It should be interesting if people fail to tell which film is from India and which from Pakistan.“
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