Fawad Khan might have not been seen on the big screen in a while now (if we can exclude his headline-grabbing cameos), that in no way means that the actor has not been busy. Recently shooting Money Back Guarantee in Karachi while he awaits the release of long-awaited The Legend of Maula Jatt, Fawad launched a script-writing platform titled ‘The Next Big Story’ that is sure to take the film-making fraternity by storm.

Supporting the suave Humsafar actor in this venture were stars Humayun Saeed, Mahira Khan and Ahmad Ali Butt, along with director Asim Raza and Vasay Chaudhry who were also featured as guest speakers for an interactive session with the audience. Under discussion was the importance of good writing for films — for as observers of Pakistani cinema scene would agree, many film projects that have hit the theater screens in recent years have often been hampered by their half baked scripts.

Screenplay: The crucial element in a film

Screenplays arguably have the most direct impact on a film’s content — in short they ultimately determine the audience’s satisfaction at the theater. Addressing this important fact, Mahira and Ahmad spoke about their experience on script selection, while Humayun Saeed and Asim Raza explained their own views on what constitutes a good script from the producer’s and director’s perspective, respectively. Vasay Chaudhry, an accomplished scriptwriter in his own right, explained his own views on what is needed in a good quality film script.

Talking about ‘The Next Big Story’, Fawad said, “There’s never been a better time to be a writer – or to aspire to become one. With the rise of our local cinema and also immense opportunity in global digital cinema we feel there needs to be a platform for aspiring scriptwriters,” adding that the forum would catalyze infusion of skilled writing talent. “This will not only help them (the writers) break into the industry but will also provide them with a platform that will recognize them and overcome some of the challenges in content writing.”

The competition

Explaining how the project will materialize, Fawad said ‘The Next Big Story’ platform will be divided into multiple phases, with aspiring writers from all over the country being invited to take part in it. The first phase will be a script-writing competition. The scriptwriters will submit a synopsis of their stories in this first part and the shortlisted stories will then be asked to write full screenplays. A winning screenplay will ultimately be chosen, which will be produced into a full-fledged film by Fawad Khan’s production house Alteridom Films.

Final word

It is heartening to note that stars such as Fawad Khan, with the wider support of the filmmaking fraternity, are taking important steps towards grooming talent in the critically important scriptwriting department. The injection of talented new blood, not just in the form of stars, but also in the technical, writing and production department is vital for sustaining the film making apparatus in the country, and we are hopeful that tomorrow’s big writers will make full use of ‘The Next Big Story.’