Passage to Pakistan
By Prashant Singh
It's 10 pm in Karachi and cinelovers are still swooning over Naseeruddin Shah's artistic intelligence in his new flick titled Khuda Kay Liye. The talent powerhouse has been drawing house-full shows across-the-border, but the movie in question is a Pakistani venture, directed by Shoaib Mansoor. "Viewers want to see Indian and Pakistani actors together in a film. And thankfully, Bollywood actors are showing interest in our industry," says Pakistani actor-director Javed Sheikh.
FILMY ANGLE
In much the same way, the intense Nandita Das essays a powerful character in Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani. The film narrates the story of a Hindu dalit family living on the India-Pakistan border, wherein Nandita plays a housewife. "It's quite interesting, but I was the most experienced person on the sets of Ramchand Pakistani. They had different kind of energy level and enthusiasm. It was a big thing for them that such a film was being made," she says.
Shah and Das aren't the only ones on the Pakistan boulevard — actors like Anupam Kher, Neha Dhupia, Amrita Arora, Kirron Kher, Nausheen Sardar Ali, Pooja Kanwal (of Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai fame) are all bringing refreshing hope, vigour and even success to the fledgling motion picture industry of Pakistan. Even Aamir Khan is keen to act in Pakistani films provided "the right offer and opportunity" comes his way. "Initially, I had second thoughts about the offer as the Pak film industry is not as upmarket as Bollywood. But Javed Fazil is one of the topmost directors in Pakistan which convinced me to take up the role," says Nausheen, who has already finished her project titled Ek Din Laut Ke Aaonga.
Meanwhile, Sheikh is working on his next directorial venture with major Bollywood stars. "I will soon announce the name of two superstars working in my film," says Sheikh. "The quality of Pakistan film industry has not been good, but now most of the production work is being done in India itself. It has inspired Bollywood artistes to work in our films," he adds.
One reason why desi stars are crossing over frequently is because the hostile relationship between two countries are no longer fierce and brutal. Not only are Indian actors getting experimental and open, Pakistani artistes — singers, reality show contestants and actors — are establishing a better connect with the Indian audience forcing an image change about immediate neighbour. "They need us more than we craving for their films," says Kher, essaying an "interesting" character in Shashi Ranjan's comedy called Dhoom Dhadaka (earlier titled Mungeri Rocks), which is an India-Pakistan co-production. "When politicians and army fail, art and culture accomplish much more," he adds.
ARTISTIC QUALITY
It's a revelation of sorts, but the band of Bollywood boys have boarded the train to Pakistan in hordes. Plan director Hriday Shetty could well be called the early bird to Pakistan with his Pakistani directorial venture Godfather. Music composer Anu Malik has also been roped in to compose the music for a Pakistani film titled Tere Liye. "It's a healthy trend when the talents and ideas are exchanged between two countries," says Malik.
It's this kind of commitment that is lending momentum to this artistic exchange. Which is why stalwarts like Gulzar and Javed Siddiqui have agreed to pen the lyrics and story for Tere Liye. "It was only Gulzarsaab who asked me to do the film. And being his ardent worshipper, I can't say no to him. In fact, I have already recorded one song with Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik," adds Malik.
Much like Malik and Gulzar, others too have crossed the LoC with their voice. So, be it Udit Narayan, Kunal Ganjawala, Anand Raj Anand, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik or even Asha Bhosle, desi singers have no inhibitions to explore newer avenues. "Music has no language and barriers and artists know no boundaries. If our government allows, I would be happy to sing for them," says Narayan, who has already lent his voice to about five Pakistani films. "Art has always been separate from politics. But when it comes to Pakistan, we share more similarities than differences. Our food, music or even our facial looks are identical. As an artist, the nationality of musicians hardly matters. They could be anyone: African, American, Arab or Pakistani," says Ganjawala.
Indo-Pak filmy ties are enjoying a strong partnership. And the coalition has moved to this side of the border too. Pakistan's well-known comic talent Umar Sharif is the first to debut as a Bollywood director. Sharif is directing a love story titled Tum Mere Ho starring Rajesh Khanna, Anupam Kher, Ashmit Patel, Paresh Rawal and Aarti Chabaria. "Both the sides have enormous human capital. But we haven't utilised the immense talents in both the countries properly," says filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt.
But Bollywood's macho man Suneil Shetty intends to make the best of Umar factor. The actor-producer has invited the comic virtuoso to write the screenplay for a wacky Bollywood comic thriller. "We haven't given it a title. But what Umarbhai has come up with isn't short of brilliant. It's brilliant and sassy," said Shetty recently.
EARTHY MATTERS
The Indian entertainment industry has always lured a fair share of artistes from across the border. The Meera Alis, Zeba Bakhtiyars and Somi Alis crossed boundaries to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame. But now, Bollywood has literally begun to explore the uncharted territory of Pakistani soil.
The Indo-Pak ties took a different turn as Bhatts moved to shoot their latest film Awarapan in Pakistan. For the uninitiated, a substantial portion of the film, including the climax, was shot across the LoC. "We have a big lineup of movies to be shot in Pakistan. In terms of cultural relationship, both the countries have come a long way. Now, the process is irreversible," says Bhatt. "But the Pakistan market is still not big enough. The industry has to pull up it's socks to attract more Indian filmmakers," adds Bhatt.
Little wonder then, Vishesh Films is already planning to film their next project, based on Lahore's red light area — Heera Mandi, in Pakistan itself. "The film will be collaboration between Vishesh Films and Sohail Khan, our co-producer of Awarapan. We plan to shoot the film in and around Lahore. Sohail is trying to get the permission for the shoot," informs Bhatt.
Cross border charm is getting a new velocity as the talented Sanjay Leela Bhansali, too, allegedly wants to shoot his next film in Lahore. Busy with the post-production of his much-awaited Ranbir and Sonam Kapoor starrer Saawariya, Sanjay is reported to be interested in a movie based on Lahore's Heera Mandi. And filmmaker Meera Nair, busy with Johnny Depp-starrer Shantaram, is also working on a sequel to the immensely successful Monsoon Wedding to be shot in Pakistan, reports her website.
That's not all. Bhatts' much-publicised film, based on Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's death, Jannat will also be filmed across the border. The movie stars Vishesh Films' favourite boy Emraan Hashmi in the lead. "It all started with Kara Film Festival four years back. Thanks to repeated attempts, the government on both sides understood our seriousness and intent. And I am ecstatic that our hardwork is finally bearing fruits," adds Bhatt.
TELLY CHAKKAR
Much before filmstars fired up neighbour nation's imagination, a slew of actors — though not as high profile — had already lit up Pakistani small screen. Starting from Annu Kapoor in Gayegi Duniya to Shraddha Nigam in Kabhi Na Kabhi, telly Pak-s a new punch in exotic land. "More than films, the condition is much better for TV serials in Pakistan," says Kirron Kher, busy with her new Pak series Kaisa Yeh Junoon. "I think a lot depends on personal choices. When I did Sabiha Sumar's Khamosh Paani in 2004, I was sure of what I was doing. Kahin ka bhi production hota, I would have done that film," explains Kher.
The latest buzz on the small screen is Indo-Pak serial Khwaish created by soap queen Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms. Manav Gohil, too, has bagged a new job as an anchor of a Pakistani travel show. Gohil is the latest addition to ever-inflating list of telly stars jumping on the cross border bandwagon. While Tina Parekh starred in Kabhi Na Kabhi, Sudha Chandran and Cezanne Khan featured in Gulnar Bano. Likewise, Swapnil Joshi, Aamna Sharif, Sakshi Tanwar, Aman Varma, Shahbaz Khan, Raza Murad and Deepshikha have been there, done that. "I love Pakistani serials. They don't go beyond six-eight weeks while unnecessarily dragging the story. There's no scheming and bitching. Pakistani television serials might not be technologically advanced, but our soaps can't match their stories and emotions," says Nausheen.
Much like Nausheen, others too enjoy the different terrain. "It's a great learning experience. They want Indian actors because our faces work for them due to the huge public demand. And when political scenario is changing, it's the best time for us to work in each other's projects," says Tina.
Well, as Indian actors move across the border, they do more than just drawing applauses and whistles — the thespians bring real life bliss and happiness.
Book-ed for life
Indian filmmakers are turning over new leaf in the Indo-Pak saga. With three major directors adapting from Pakistan-based novels, desi dream merchants are writing a new cinematic chapter. For starters, Mahesh Bhatt is influenced by Fauzia Saeed's book titled Taboo, about Lahore's Heera Mandi. "The idea definitely came to us from Fauzia's book. She has done elaborate research on the area. We are planning to approach her for using parts from her novel," informs Bhatt.
Similarly, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, too, has allegedly bought the rights of a book written by Mayank Austen Soofi titled A Sudden Visit to Pakistan: Heera Mandi The Dream Home of The Whores. Meanwhile, Rahul Bose is busy adapting Pakistani novelist Mohsin Hamid's book titled Moth Smoke into a screenplay. "There is nothing to beat the impact of a film," said Rahul. So, gear up as desi dream merchants gear up to be booked.
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