After her mesmerizing performances at Coke Studio; the considerably new entrant in the music scene of the country, Meesha Shafi, is all set to take her already-diverse-career towards the big screen world too.
Although she has already made some headlines with the news of her role of Zoya in the much-anticipated upcoming action-thriller Waar, but her another project; an international production of New York based Indian director Mira Nair, Reluctant Fundamentalist, is also taking the media rounds these days.
The political-thriller Reluctant Fundamentalist has been selected to open the 69th edition of Venice film Festival next month on August 29th, where It will be screened out of competition with whole cast expectedly attending the red carpet event.
An adaptation of Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid’s bestselling novel of the same name, the film revolves around the story of a young Pakistani man named Changez (played by British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed) trying to find success at Wall Street when terrorists strike the World Trade Center (9/11). It is then when his bright future turns bleak and he gets deeply embroiled in conflict at his homeland.
Besides Meesha Shafi in the role of Bina and Riz Ahemd as Changez, the film also stars Shabana Azmi and Om Puri in Important roles. Not only this, renowned American actor Liev Schreiber; who recently starred in blockbuster films like Salt and X-men Origins: Wolverine, will also be part of the film. The cast also includes Golden Globe winner American actress Kate Hudson and British-Canadian actor and another Golden Globe receiver Kiefer Sutherland.
Festival director Alberto Barbera, while praising Nair’s work said, [Nair] had “made an exemplary film adaptation of a novel that deals with the topical issue of fundamentalism of any kind or nature”.
“The Festival’s opening night will feature a film that provides much food for thought. It is a choice that intends to highlight the growing role of female creativity in all spheres of culture and contemporary society.”…With great sensitivity, subtlety and remarkable sense of cinematic narrative, the director is never reluctant to take a difficult stand, inspired by profound ethical and moral reasons that, although choosing to face reality, still reject its compromises and aberrations,” Barbera added.
Adapted by William Wheeler and produced by Lydia Dean Pilcher, the film was shot in Lahore, Delhi, Istanbul, Atlanta and New York and will also feature renowned Pakistani singer Ali Azmat’s hit single, Bum Phatta. Ali, on the side note, is also part of Bilal Lashari’s upcoming action-thriller Waar.
This would be Mira Nair’s fifth work-display at the festival as she has previously presented her widely acclaimed films like Mississippi Masala, Vanity Fair and Monsoon Wedding (She won Golden Lion award for it), there.
