by Hasnat Afridi
Javed Sheikh. Who doesn’t know him? A tall debonair star who ruled the silver screen by giving out plenty of hits. He has been equally successful as an actor and director. His acting credits comprise of movies like Love Mein Ghum , Bhai Log, Mein Ek Din Laut Kay Aaaunga and even many international films like Om Shanti Om, Honour Killings etc. But now Javed Sheikh is all charged up. He absolutely loving the new breed of film-makers emerging from the TV industry and is also geared up for his next venture. Galaxy Lollywood got hold of him for a short telephonic interview amidst his busy schedule.
GL: Firstly, tell us your feelings about the current re-generation of Pakistan film industry?
JS: It’s great! I have always been vouching for Karachi film industry to get up and start making films as I knew they will play a pivotal role in the revival. I knew that alone Lahore cannot take the burden of providing quality content to Pakistani silver screens and both cities need to work together and its happening now. Youngsters from both cities are working on such exciting ideas and projects that if we can make a better drama than India, than surely in next 3 to 4 years we will be making better films as well.
GL: All your past films including your last released film Sultanat had experienced film production team. Your new film Na-Maloom Afraad comprised hugely of newcomers. How would you describe this paradigm shift?
JS: It was a very good team. We had Nabeel Qureshi as our director who has been making commercials and documentaries lately whereas Fizza Ali Meerza has also worked on few telefilms. So basically they weren’t ‘new’ in this industry but yes from a film perspective it was their first project. But they had full command over the whole process. I bet, by looking at the final result in cinema, a regular film buff won’t be able to guess that this film had first-timers as the production team. Haven’t you seen the trailer? It looks so professional that distributors from India and Dubai have been calling and asking for theatrical rights of the film.
GL: We heard that it was you who recommended Mehwish Hayat for the item song ‘Billi’ in Na-Maloom Afraad?
JS: Yes. Actually I and Mehwish were on the set of a local TV play. We were having a casual discussion where I mentioned about my experience of working in the film. After hearing what great things I had to say about the project and there is a space for an item number, she immediately jumped on that idea and then Mehwish was a part of our film.
GL: Having said that, when are you launching your next directorial venture?
JS: Hopefully by end of this year I will announce my next film. It’s too soon to divulge any details about the script our project.
GL: But why so much delay? Khullay Asmaan Kay Neechay was released almost 6 years ago. Hasn’t it gotten late?
JS: See I have been known for working lavishly on my films and due to this reason there is always a delay between my directorial ventures. I need some time for chipping money together and it’s very near when I starting rolling out for my next film.
GL: So should we expect to see the same grandeur in your next as so was in your previous films?
JS: Absolutely. Absolutely. Inshallah it will be at par with international standards.
With this statement our excitement reached to the top level as who didn’t loved the lush green fields or the Ferrari car racing opening scene in Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa… We surely did! And can’t wait for Javed Sheikh to bounce back and give us a hit which rules the local box-office.
