Kalki’s Indo-Pak film gears up for an opening in Germany first
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 24, 2017)


Kalki Koechlin had crossed the border last year to shoot for an Indo-Pak collaboration, Azmaish, directed by Pakistani filmmaker Sabiha Sumar. The film is ready and the actress is determined to go all out to promote it now, bracing herself for some adverse reactions given the on-going tensions between the two neighbouring countries post the Uri attack last September and the ban on Pakistani talent by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA).

Kalki says, “I did an ‘Ask me anything’ session on the social media recently and was pleasantly surprised that most people were not bashing the other country or looking at it as the enemy. Rather they were quizzing me on how a film like this could help us. That made me realise that most people want to understand and heal.” She adds that mixing arts with politics is dangerous and it’s important that art and culture remain the voice of the minority. Talking about her trip she admits that she was surprised to see that Pakistan is still a largely agricultural society with feudal landlords owning and running entire villages. When Sumar came to Mumbai, Kalki took her around the city in local trains and on Holi they visited some slums before travelling to Haryana.

“The film will release in Germany first as it is co-produced by a German TV channel. I hope it releases in both India and Pakistan. If not there’s always the internet,” she signs off.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 17, 2016)

Mirror had earlier reported (May 18) about Kalki Koechlin and Pakistani director Sabiha Sumar teaming up for a documentary, titled Azmaish – Trials of Life, which sees the actress-director duo travel through India and Pakistan. Now, we hear the film, that has completed it’s shoot, is almost ready after Kalki and Sabiha, initiated a crowd-funding campaign to help the cash-strapped production that was stuck in the post-production stage. The team has so far raised Rs 11 lakh 80 thousand in two weeks and are aiming to take the figure to Rs 20 lakh.

Speaking to Mirror from Pakistan, Sabiha admits that she’s surprised to see people from both countries contribute in equal measures despite the tensions post Uri attacks. “Besides other things, our film is also about Kalki and I finding our positions within our own countries and asking ourselves where we stand in our culture as independent working women. Crowd-funding is a democratic process; you fund a film that you want to see made. There has been equal participation by Indians and Pakistanis in the crowd funding process. Honestly, I didn’t expect such a great response. I think people identify with the questions we are asking in the film. It shows that people are looking forward to it,” the director said.

Sabiha adds that she’s hopeful the film will release in both countries, “It’s relevant to people of both countries, we are looking at an April release. It was Kalki’s first ever visit to Pakistan, she got to see such a wide range of people, like those living close to the border of India, to those in a big city like Karachi. Our film really benefited by her being in Pakistan, too.”

Ask her how Azmaish came about and Sabiha says, “I had made a filmed called Dinner with the President and was looking to do a sequel in 2013. Then I felt it was a good idea to explore how democracy came to Pakistan. In 2014, Narendra Modi was elected as Prime Minister of India. I felt at such a time, it would be nice to look at questions of extremism and what it means to both our societies, why people are turning to religion, what kind of futures both countries can look forward to.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 18, 2016)

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.“