Making a film on a national hero; the one having fan-base in millions, and that too on independent basis, is really something where one must expect inevitable hurdles. Keep aside the resources required to make such a film, just the pressure of such a mammoth fan base to deliver what is really expected of the final product is something that can take nights away.
What GL says:
The independent filmmaking scene has never been on this height in the film history of the country. This recent realization of an important point that ‘we have to start from somewhere’ is something that is going to pay our industry for long time now. Josh stars some of the best
Usually when people see or just think of film stars or celebrities in general, they imagine; how they spend their all-time happy-go life with all the money in the banks and credit cards always available to be swiped, far away from the daily cries of a common man and near to all the worldly comforts. It becomes pretty hard sometimes to imagine of something that could be missing in such a life.
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
Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol gave launch pad for many actors to get themselves established in the 72x53ft screen world. But Iman Ali was one of those cast members in the film who already had an established career and were known for their talent and stardom. Cashing the same stardom, Iman is spending a lot of time these days in India. Although talks with filmmakers and interviews to the local media there is occupying most of her time but there is something else that Indian media is alleging her to be attached with there.
The idea of the controversial Veena Malik repenting for her sins on national television did not settle well with the awaam. From internet petitions calling for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to ban the show, which had been scheduled to air during the holy month, to comments on social media forums, the anger was hot and unrestricted.
The furor and resentment around the show finally made the production team rethink their decision to air it. “Hero TV is for theawaam. If the awaam does not want to see Veena Malik on this Ramazan show, then we will cancel it,” said a member of the team, adding that they respect the wishes of the populace.
A YouTube user by the name Hamza Imran uploaded a video of his reaction to Veena’s Ramazan promo. Cursing heavily, he appeals to viewers:
“Can you imagine Veena Malik, who not so long ago stripped half naked with an ISI tattoo on her? She hasn’t got any right to be entering Pakistan, let alone being on a TV show that has such religion significance,” he says, holding his head, clearly appalled. He also adds that he has uploaded his video to “spread the message” to the show’s producers for its cancellation. “I’m not just going to be Facebooking or liking things online because that’s not going to make a difference. I want people to email Hero TV and send them hate messages and ask them to stop this. She’s a disgrace of a person. How dare she?”
Amidst the hue and cry around this controversial show, a few questions come to light. If Hero TV was “heroic” enough to take such an audacious stance (by inviting the notorious Veena on their sets) in the first place, why didn’t they simply stick to their guns and see it through? Some commentors suggest that it is a publicity ploy to garner attention for a channel that receives none at all. “What depths will the media plunge to next in the ratings game? Is there any hope for an informed, progressive and responsible media?” asks one irked commenter on The Express Tribune website.
A Pemra official told us that he was just as baffled. “What do media owners want?” he asked, requesting anonymity. “Could they not find anyone else? If they want ratings, can’t they get scholars with good reputations instead of fuelling extremism by bringing such controversial figures on TV?” he asked, adding that Veena and other televangelists are “hypocrites”.
The provincial assembly decided on Thursday to refer to its Standing Committee on Women’s Development was tasked to probe the allegations that Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy did not fulfill her commitments to an acid attack survivor.
The house decided to summon all stakeholders in the matter to the committee’s next meeting.
The PA session resumed on Thursday at 12:08pm instead of the scheduled time of 10am and was chaired by Speaker Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan.
Sajida Mir, a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member rose a point of order and asked the speaker to form a committee to probe the allegations against Chinoy.
She said Rukhsana Bibi had reconciled with her husband and they were black mailing Chinoy.
Sheikh Alauddin, a Unification Bloc member, on Wednesday had moved an adjournment motion claiming Chinoy had promised Rukhsana Bibi Rs3 million, a home in Multan and free plastic surgery for her face to work in the Oscar winning documentary, Saving Face. The house had expressed sympathy with Rukhsana Bibi and suggested that she move a court.
Mir said, “I appreciate the house’s position but I want to ask: who will punish Rukhsana Bibi’s husband for throwing acid in the first place?”
She then suggested the house form a committee to probe the matter. She said she supported Chinoy’s decision not to provide cash to the woman since it would be used by her husband.
Law Minister Rana Sanaullah agreed that the matter should be referred to the standing committee.
Speaker Rana Mohammad Iqbal Khan forwarded the matter to the committee. When some opposition members said the committee had yet to meet, Sanaullah said a notification would be issued soon and this would be the first matter it takes up.
Perhaps the only institution in Pakistan striving to polish skills of young aspiring film makers would be The South Asian Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Television (SAAMPT), the only film school in the country.
Well-known in Karachi, it held an open house at Gallery 6 on Sunday.
The aim of the session was to provide an opportunity to the prospective students interested in film making, their parents and other professionals to meet with the faculty of SAAMPT and learn about academic offerings, international linkages and foreign study trips. One-on-one counselling was also available.
Danial Ali Khan, the dean of the institute, was present at the gallery to run introductory documentaries of the institute that provide an insight to the workings of the place and a brief introduction to the aims and affiliations as well.
SAAMPT was launched in February 2010, and with its successful completion of first and second semester, students graduating from SAAMPT hope to be an invaluable addition to the film and television industry in Pakistan. SAAMPT is also offering an intensive 8-week filmmaking workshop and a 6-week short course with William Gilcher, who completed his doctorate in Film Studies from University of Iowa in the US. Gilcher is SAAMPT adviser and a faculty member.
Although the turn up at the session was low, those present did voice a few concerns regarding the film industry and the way forward. One man, who owns a production house in Islamabad, said that although Islamabad holds a lot of talent, the lack of platform drives them towards mediocrity.“People don’t even know the difference between a producer and a director, [and in such a case] the end product becomes very mechanical,” he said.
Danial concurred, saying the academy had gotten just two students from Islamabad — one of whom dropped out — in the three years that it has been operating. “We have a 50 to 60% drop-out rate. Students come in thinking its going to be a piece of cake but it isn’t, its really hard work with high standards, and there’s a lot of theory as well. By the end of it the really passionate ones remain.”
While most people at the open house agreed that there needs to be a similar institute in Islamabad, for now, people interested in formally learning the science of filmmaking will have to make time and money to go to Karachi.
Well nobody certainly saw this one coming!
Will the show actually be worth-watching you see the trailer and decide for yourself.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYd4H7EqVj4&w=420&h=315]
A truly sorry state of Pakistan film industry has provided a chance to every other person to draft-out his own version of solutions for its betterment. I, like all other concerned people in the business also carry some solutions or two of my own. This time I thought why not share it with everyone else and checkout to what extent I stand correct amongst those who really feel
