As a producer, Shazia Wajahat has done both dramas and films, including Karachi Se Lahore, Lahore Se Aagey, Chhalawa and even Parde Mein Reine Do, the latter of which will resume production in a month. In addition to films, Shazia has also done drama serials such as Yaar-e-Bewafa, Qaid, Mein Kaise Kahun, Damsa and most recently has teamed up with Wajahat Rauf for their hit drama serial Raqs-e-Bismil which aired in late December.

We’ve asked Shazia Wajahat a few questions regarding her production career and most recent drama serial!

Q. How did you get into the field of production?

Wajahat has been doing productions since the early 2000s, so I used to go visit him on sets and take the kids too when they were small. When the kids started growing up and I had time on my hands we were doing Kya Life Hai for Cornetto in 2008; that's when he asked me to help him out in the production. So I did all the scheduling and taking care of production, that’s where it started and I started liking it, it kept me busy and I really enjoyed the work, so that’s where I stepped in.

Q. What is it like to work with your husband, Wajahat Rauf, on collaborative projects?

Working with Wajahat is a learning experience. I’ve learnt a lot from him to now be on my own, making my own decisions on sets etc. He has been incredibly supportive and very encouraging, I ask him a lot of questions! He also wants me to get into direction as well, since we’ve been on sets together and we’ve produced so many dramas that I’ve got that eye for direction now, but not sure about pursuing it at the moment. It’s always a lot of fun when we’re together doing a project, when he’s got his director’s cap on, production gets a little neglected so that’s where I step in and take care of all the other things so he can take care of his creativity and direction.

Q. How was the process of selecting the cast for Hashim Nadeem’s penned script of Raqs-e-Bismil? Are you happy with the characters chosen?

Raqs-e-Bismil is something I can call my ‘baby’. When I contacted Mr. Hashim Nadeem after seeing his dramas, he was kind enough to talk to me and oversee dialogues before giving us the script. It was the first time but he had seen some of our work so he said let’s give it a shot. I had to do everything on my own initially because Wajahat was not involved in the beginning, he said it’s now time that it’s your thing and you do it how you want to do it.

When I read the first few episodes it was so powerful and entertaining that I told Wajahat he should direct it even though he was hesitant because he has been focusing on films recently which have their own magic and way of doing things. Before he came on board I had already started casting and thinking of people in my head, as I tend to do because I could picture in my head. Then I requested Wajahat to do it again because he will do justice to this project. After I made him read it he agreed to it.

The names the Assistant Director and I noted down were thankfully really excited due to the characters being very strong, so there was no difficulty, everyone was on board and it was a great experience! Everybody joining us was known for their powerful acting, and worked incredibly hard, I think people will agree with me about the actors as the perfect choice for the characters they are playing.

Q. What is it like working with Imran Ashraf Awan in a role such as Moosa’s?

I was a fan of Imran Ashraf’s work when he did Alif Allah Aur Insaan. I told him he did a tremendous job and that we would eventually work together in person. When Bhola came out my son, Aashir, told me I just had to work with him, he’s a brilliant actor! When I received Raqs-e-Bismil and I read the script the first name that came to mind was Imran Ashraf. Hashim Nadeem Sahab was very involved in the casting as well, having options written of different characters, with Imran’s name there too. I just called him up and briefed him on the story and he agreed, saying he will do this character. This was all through lockdown and he got on board and I was very excited

The working experience with him (Imran Ashraf) has been really nice, I haven’t seen someone so hardworking, amicable and genuine. We work with a lot of actors who have their own qualities, with Imran, he takes everyone with him, it’s not just about him on set it’s about every character, he helps everyone around him, including the younger actors. He was so much fun to work with and did a wonderful job, which will be visible on screen.

Q. How do you feel about the tribal fashioned storyline of Raqs-e-Bismil? Did you expect such a great response to the first episode?

Yes it’s a tribal fashioned storyline, it’s happened before too. This is real life and it’s happening, educated people may have come out of this but it exists. We know the response would be huge but were a bit worried about it. It’s about the way you execute it, the dialogues, the way it has been written is beautiful and logical. When people see it they will see the different feel to it, despite it being a theme that has come on screen before.

Q. This is Sarah Khan and your 5th collaboration together, did you know she was perfect for the role of Zohra?

I hope we continue to do projects together because she is the most amazing person to work with. The characters we’ve done previously are completely different. In Sabaat her character was a bit bold and energetic, but her other roles have been a bit similar even in our own projects. Sarah’s always the shy one, she’s a bit careful with the character she plays. But when I read the script and about Zohra’s character my heart was set on Sarah playing it. When I discussed it with Wajahat he also agreed on Sarah as the choice, so did Mr. Hashim Nadeem.

Subsequently, I called Sarah about playing Zohra and she had a similar response to Imran’s about the role. As an actor I think she has transformed a lot, she is getting better and better with time which you will see in her performance, how she has done justice to the character. Our decision was right!

Q. How did you select the locations for the shoot?

We had 30-35 locations which is a little unusual for a drama. When you have a director like Wajahat Rauf who has films on board, selecting locations is a task! Every director has their own perspective but since he’s a film director too, he evaluates how to make it look grand for the shoot, what’s important and what’s not. The process was a bit difficult, you’ll see all kinds of locations on screen. Something funny which happened was when Mehmood Aslam Sahab asked us where we’re finding all these locations, which is up to the director, guaranteeing we see that grandeur in dramas.

We put in a lot of effort with the director’s input, there were last minute selections, scheduling issues but since we have a good team which has worked together before we were able to choose all the suitable locations.

Q. Was the character of the Pir Qudratullah Shah meant for Mehmood Aslam?

Pir Qudratullah’s character couldn’t have been any normal person. He’s Raqs-e-Bismil’s backbone and I had the late Abid Ali in my head for the role, who would’ve done an amazing job. Mehmood Aslam has worked with us as well in films before, and we needed to select the top of the top. When we called him he was a bit worried about keeping the beard in the heat, but we told him this character is his and he has to do it, he did a fantastic job in Khaani and we’ve seen him execute his serious side brilliantly. Wajahat was convinced that it has to be Mehmood Sahab and after guaranteeing we’d take care of the beard he was on board and has done a tremendous job!

Q. Is there any upcoming project in the works after Raqs-e-Bismil?

Yes, there is another project, a web series that is shooting currently. We also have Parde Mein Reine Do, our film which was halted because of coronavirus and will resume in February. Before Raqs-e-Bismil there was a concept I was working on with the writer Asma Nabeel, which has been delayed because Raqs-e-Bismil had come up. Now we’re back on track with a very different concept which Asma is writing, a family story, so we will start working on that.

We've asked Dur-e-Fishan a few questions to clear our curiosity, as fans want to know her view on things!

Q. How have people around you responded to this role of yours?

To be honest, I wasn’t expecting an enormous response from the audience People have loved Zoya more than I thought.

Q. Tell us something you like about Zoya’s character?

Her resilience and attitude towards relationships.

Q. The storyline for Bharas is not a typical drama we’d expect which reflects the usual societal issues we see. What do you think makes it stand out?

Contrary to public opinion, I still feel Bharas is not your regular story. It’s a depiction of how anything in extremes, be it love, can hinder and destroy many relationships.

Q. What’s something that this character has taught you?

I took a lot from Zoya but one thing that I’ll always remember is how she understands where and when to compromise and when to step ahead!

Q. In your opinion why is Zoya’s strong character compromised in front of her second husband Kamal?

At the end of the day, Zoya is a Pakistani girl. No matter how progressive we are, we tend to be more compromising when it comes to second marriages. Human beings tend to have their breaking points, no matter how strong they are.

With Bharas gaining in popularity these days, people are left in anticipation for what's to happen between Omer Shahzad's Hasan and Zoya. While we wait, we didn't want to urge Dur-e-Fishan for spoilers although we have our fingers crossed for what's to come!

On her role in Bharas, Dure has responded to sympathising fan comments regarding her character's tough ordeal and struggle, stating that we have more to see from Zoya yet.

"I really do feel you all but let the story unfold. Zoya will not disappoint you."

Starring in Rao Ayaz Shahzad directorial after her SeePrime short, The Bridge, Mashal is showing us a range of diversity as compared to her previous roles in drama serials as Hareem in Thora Sa Haq or Annie in Dulhan. Instead of a villain or hero role, we see the young actress in a complicated predicament, handling the spotlight and her personal life in a chaotic way, giving us a glimpse at the dark side of fame.

We've asked Mashal a few questions about her exciting venture and what we can expect from Lifafa Dayaan!

How is it different to work on a web series as compared to a drama?

In web series you get a lot of creative liberty and freedom of expression because there are no regulations as such. The director, the DOP, the writer, me as an actor - all of us had a lot of creative liberty to explore ourselves.

Have you based the character of 'Aleena' on any inspiration or model?

No no, I have not based Aleena on any existing human being. I've worked really hard on this character and I've made her from scratch - but it's all in my head!

In your opinion how do you think people will respond to Lifafa Daayan?

I think people will really love it! And I also think that they should watch it because it's a brilliant work of art from all sides - the actors have performed wonderfully, the director, the DOP, the music score, the script, everything is so brilliant. Just as a work of art it should be watched and celebrated, especially taking into mind the amount of effort everyone has put into this. I just feel like it's really special, it's a very special concept, special script and the best part is it's not a love story! Finally, we've come out of that love story concept and we're talking about other things because there's a lot more to life than love.

Will we be seeing more diverse roles of yours on OTT platforms?

Yes actually I have a couple of other projects coming out that I am beginning work on later this month so yes, keep an eye out, I'm looking to explore myself as an actor using these OTT platforms and I hope the audience will like them!

HIP IN PAKISTAN had a chat with the ‘most successful woman’ in Pakistan’s entertainment industry and found out what she had to say about her channel's trendsetting dramas, how she stays relevant, and the importance of creating a ‘safe’ environment so that females with aspirations to join the entertainment industry have no problems from their families.

How does it feel to be the only woman in a man’s world where every other channel is run by someone who is either appointed by the owner or handpicked by the Government?

It does add more responsibility on my shoulders because a) it is a man’s world as you said and b) I am also the only ‘female’ Chairperson of a Media Group who began at the grass-root level. One small step in the wrong direction would seem like a giant one because it was taken by a woman, but thankfully, I managed to avoid the wrong steps. When one comes through the proper channel, he or she understands the duty given to them and that’s how they achieve their goals, one step at a time. Whatever I am today is because of my elders, my colleagues, and my kids who supported me all the way. That's why at HUM TV we try to create a safe and healthy environment, especially for females who want to join the entertainment industry and use their talents to reach the top.

How is it that when one talks about meaningful plays, HUM TV’s name tops the list. Was that a conscious decision or it became your modus operandi as the network progressed?

When we started HUM TV, the viewers were watching Indian dramas that were neither our culture nor there’s. In order to make the audience switch to our kind of dramas, HUM TV began producing and airing quality plays. We knew that if we showed the audience plays that had some message, some meaning, some purpose, they would return to Pakistani dramas, and that’s exactly what happened. People still remember and imitate many of the plays that we aired nearly a decade back, and had we not done that who knows where we might have been in terms of TV dramas.

You are one of the most experienced ‘active’ directors around; why don’t you direct TV dramas now, especially after giving hits like Marvi, Doosri Duniya, and Zindagi Gulzar Hai?

For someone who has been around for as long as myself, it’s now our duty to hand over the reins to upcoming talented individuals and guide them with whatever we have learned during our days. I might be the most experienced ‘active’ director around, as you say, but I am also wearing other hats like heading a major TV network that deals with News, Dramas, and Food. That adds extra responsibility on my shoulders and that’s why I now want to concentrate more on the administrative side and leave the execution to the new entrants, who are talented as well as have the will to conquer the world. Since I was once like them, I like to mentor and monitor them now and that leaves less time for direction.

Do you agree with the ban culture that exists in our country, be it through PEMRA or other institutions?

Whenever you put a stop to something creative, both the mind and the pen suffer. Until and unless you show the evils in society on screen, it will not come into the public eye. Thankfully, we started the trend of new breed of writers with HUM TV who brought in the required change and helped our drama industry stand on its two feet. People might refer to them as digest writers but look at the number of hits they have delivered; if I am getting the message across the world with these writers, I would certainly continue with them. As for the ban culture, all I can say is in order to put across the message into the audience’s heart, one has to take the route that might appear distasteful but actually isn’t. We know that most of our dramas are watched collectively by families so we can’t show something that is vulgar and disgusting. If the drama is executed well and gets the message across, it should be applauded, not banned. PEMRA and other institutions have a job to do, but they should listen to both sides before coming to an educated decision.

HUM TV became a household name thanks to the many musical shows it aired during its initial days; why doesn’t your channel or for that matter any channel promote music like that anymore?

When we started HUM TV some 15 years back, we did the unthinkable by recording and airing private mehfils where upcoming singers used to perform and get appreciated by a private gathering. Since I had done countless musical shows on national television, I knew its importance and it became very popular with viewers from all walks of life. But now with the advent of different platforms, music is now mostly beyond the reach of common audience that enjoyed it not saw it to pass the time. It needs our constant support because it is not just an integral part of our culture but also paints a colourful picture of our country abroad. It hurts to say this but the way we have destroyed our city, we have destroyed our music as well.

Finally something about the awards you have been conferred upon by your first institution Pakistan Television and the Government of Pakistan; does it come as a surprise now that you are managing your own TV network?

I am glad that the Government of Pakistan named me as a recipient of Sitara-e-Imtiaz this year after being conferred with the Pride of Performance earlier. However, it neither comes as a surprise nor was it something that I was expecting; when you have worked hard all your life without specifically doing it for an award, acknowledgement like this does raise your morale. I am thankful to Allah for all the recognition and believe that good things come to those who work hard, and feel that everyone should make it their objective - do good work first, awards will follow later.

PEMRA wants to ban it, Sindh High Court has no issues with it, and Twitter has deemed it as 'vulgar' while a fraction of the audience believes the drama has a relatable story. However, T.V projects with controversial plots are not new to us. We are introduced to at least one drama every year that depicts ‘questionable content’, gets bashed, its makers are criticized and its cast bullied on social media. But that doesn’t stop either the writers or directors to work on such tales. For them, such stories need to be told to the world and are not supposed to be hushed.

The Curious Case of a ‘‘Wahiyat Drama’’

With so much of hullaballoo around Jalan, we contacted the writer of the story Sidra Sahar Imran for an unfiltered chat on the topic. Like most of the viewers, we wondered why Sidra penned a tale so contentious in nature. Consequently, we met with the lady behind the fiery plot herself and quipped her all the burning questions we so wanted to ask her.

Sidra was overwhelmed with so much critique on Jalan. But she divulged that the audience has shifted their focus solely on the scandalous affair between the husband and her sister-in-law. On the contrary, she aimed to project a larger matter with the story- the impact of ‘jealousy’ that can wreak havoc in any relation whatsoever.

“Jalan was bashed since its early teasers. People mused that it is a story of a young man having an affair with his sister-in-law. A Twitter trend of ‘Wahiyat Drama’ started against it. However, it is a story based on sister rivalry, jealousy between two sisters. The element of jealousy is present in everyone. There is also a case of bad parenting shown in the tale in Nisha’s case. We have exhibited this since the first episode that began with the scene of online shopping that Nisha always wanted the best for herself. She couldn’t stand her sibling getting better than her. Their mother just hushes the topic, depicting as if Nisha’s behavior is normal for the family. This conduct influenced Nisha’s psyche, making it an obsession for her to get whatever she wants by hook or crook.”

Sidra stressed that this is a true story and the theme of Jalan is not fictional. Thereby, she shouldn’t be blamed for maligning relations and penning a bitter reality of our society.

“People claim that I have targeted the sanctity of relations. However, in our religion, we have been told to protect these relations, which we don’t in real life. My point is to make the audience realize that a fire will blaze where there is a possibility of it to ignite. We, as writers, are not writing stories that are out of this world. These are tales of our people that live in our society. These are life stories and Jalan is a true story”, claimed Sidra.

Sidra’s intention might be all in good-nature. But Jalan caused a massive fire with its broadcast. Rising complaints caught the media watch-dog, PEMRA’s eye. How will she defend PEMRA’s motive to ban it and people’s perception of its story crossing societal limits, we couldn’t help asking her.

“There were a lot of complaints that caused PEMRA to release the notice. We have an educated audience and most of them are reacting without thinking. But they are watching it as well, either because they relate to it or they are watching it out of curiosity. The more Jalan is getting rejected, the more it is getting hit as well. It is the success of any drama that people get forced to watch it nevertheless. I don’t think there is anything unnatural shown in Jalan. The plot has been drawn as per the nature of the characters. Everything has been exhibited step by step because our intention was never solely focused on the affair between Nisha and Asfand.”

Grey Shades of Asfand & Nisha’s Problematic Streak

Those who have been following Jalan since the beginning will agree that they were surprised by how swiftly Asfand began falling for his sister-in-law, Nisha. Educated and a total dreamboat, Asfand had it all- the looks, money, a booming business, a sophisticated personality- everything a girl will desire in a life partner.

But his well-composed, good-natured persona smashed the minute he began responding to Nisha’s charms. He remained ignorant of how stubborn and bitter Nisha appeared to be towards his wife, Misha. It puzzled us: Why such a saintly husband turned out to be so weak? However, Sidra states that she never characterized him as the 'oh-so-perfect man'.

“Since the beginning, Asfand had a flaw in his personality and that’s why he went astray. He was never an angel and we never made his character as perfect. He was educated, handsome, appeared sober but he too had some faults. The minute Nisha provoked him, he started to lose it all. Men are claimed as the ‘bird of discovery’. He wants to explore the skies and new worlds. Man becomes helpless when it comes to a woman. When a lady will try to seduce a man, the probability is he will get allured by her. The same Asfand who denied to marry her earlier, later said yes when she tried to harm herself for him. He realized that she can go to any lengths to attain him and got smitten by her attempts,” asserts Sidra.

As per the writer, a corrupt Asfand was drawn to an equally immoral Nisha. However, it appears as if our female antagonist had a severe case of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Self-centered, arrogant, and cunning to the core, nobody noticed the problematic patterns in Nisha’s behavior. So much so, she manipulated everyone, broke her engagement, and ended up stealing her sister’s husband. Is it us or she really needs help?

Sidra too agreed that she didn’t fashion Nisha as normal, “Since the beginning, Nisha wanted everything to herself. Her parents never thought that she needs a balance in her life and teach her to do so. This happens so commonly in our homes. We tell the elder child to sacrifice for the younger. Our behavior has become normal that we compel one member to keep giving and enable the other to keep taking, which cause a big dent in relationships.

We have shown through different scenes that Nisha has certain abnormal traits. We don’t have much awareness in our country and we classify that only outwardly crazy people should seek therapy. Nisha’s parents are like common blind people of our society that didn’t realize that their daughter needs to visit a psychiatrist and that such people appear normal being abnormal.”

Waiting for Karma to Strike

Now that people have gotten used to Jalan and its stormy subject, the audience is waiting for the worst possible punishment for Nisha.

But what about Misha? Will she take a stand up for herself? Will Asfand realize his mistakes and return to his wife? Though we don’t believe he even deserves Misha, there is a possibility that the plot can surprise us with Misha and Asfand’s reunion.

“Since Asfand divorced Misha while she was pregnant, he has an option to pursue her as per religious laws. The audience is guessing that he might return to Misha. And we have kept this as an open-ended mystery for viewers. Now after all these episodes, everyone is craving to see how karma hits Nisha. They want to see her suffer for her wrong-doings” added Sidra.

Surely, we are waiting for what fate the writer has penned for Nisha. Earlier, it was Meray Pass Tum Ho that had ignited an even bigger brouhaha with its spicy love-triangle and portraying the heroine as the one who is disloyal in a relationship. However, the hero was the one who died in the end.

We couldn’t help asking Sidra what she thinks of such love triangles and Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar’s writing.

“Khalil Ur Rehman claims that a woman should be the ‘Goddess of Love’. He wants both his male and female hero to be loyal in love. But there is always a rival in between. It has been since ‘Habil’ and ‘Cabil’ that Aqleema came in between them. So the first murder in this world has been due to a woman only. It is a universal truth that there is always the third rival in love, making love triangles a universal truth.

I did agree with certain of his points and I like him as a writer a lot. Any writer who is willing to do something different is my favorite. Some of my most admired writers are Noor Ul Huda Shah, Fasih Bari, BeeGul, Zafar Mairaj, Zanjabeel, Umaira, Faiza Iftikhar, Saji Gul and Adeel Razzaq.”

Let’s hope that the ending is in Misha’s favor in the story. After all, she has been through a lot and shouldn’t pay for Asfand’s betrayal. What more furor Jalan plans to ensue, let’s wait and watch.

Anyone and everyone who follows her is a fan. Even though her super cute, candid pictures with her husband have a knack of irking social media vultures, there is absolutely nothing to hate about Sarwat. She has always tackled the volleyball of negativity like a boss woman! During the lockdown, we saw her much-tender side as she united all of Pakistani’s mothers and children with her creative activities on Instagram live.

When it comes to acting, she still has all the fire to steal the limelight. Our girl Gilani can be equally bold and passionate on-screen, recently proving it with her acting prowess in Churail.

Donning the role of the undefeated and strong-minded Sara, Sarwat is flamboyant, lovable, and empowered. From the perfect wife to a fearless leader, our heroine played an ideal role, one very similar to herself in real life. Craving to have a chat with her, we contacted Sarwat to know all about Churails. She just couldn’t stop raving about her girl squad of Yasra Rizvi, Nimra Bucha, and Meher Bano.

Read on to know all that she revealed!

This web-series will surely redefine the word ‘Churail’ for Pakistanis and so many other things. How do you feel being part of this massive change?

It’s been a fantastic experience from the word ‘go’. We rehearsed quite a few months before, we did readings and one-on-one sessions for character development with Asim Abbas, which happened two months before we went on the set. That was a lovely experience and Asim was very adamant upon the idea of rehearsing before going on set. Each minute on the set was enthralling with everyone focused on one goal i.e. Churails, without any individual interest. I feel very blessed and lucky to have been chosen to play ‘Sarah’ and have gotten the chance to work with Asim along with his entire production team. From the cast to the crew, it has been a dream team!

We feel you differ a lot from Sara in real life. Are we correct and how did you prepare for such a challenging avatar?

According to Asim, I am not different from Sara at all. I initially thought that there were quite a few things that I couldn’t relate to like Sara. But as I got involved in the character, I realized that like I am a motivational speaker in real life, discuss societal issues on behalf of women and love to uplift the female population, I felt that Sara feels the same way with the women she has taken on-board while feeling responsible for them.

She doesn’t want to put them down in any way and likes to bring everybody together. She is confident, she is very sure of herself, she has style and over the past couple of years, I have changed into becoming more stylish and found my own comfortable, chic wardrobe. Sara too had a specific styling in the series.

I am also OCD in real life and Sara is also like that. I feel that even when she is vulnerable and weak, I can relate to that too. I believe that even the strongest of women can fall weak at most times. This way, Sara was very close and very relatable to me.

How was it working with Asim and all the savage women in the cast?

It was an absolute delight to work with Asim. He was always sure of what he wanted. I have never met a director who has manufactured each and everything before coming on set. Not even the slightest of knits and pieces were done on the sets. He had a lot of confidence in me for playing Sara’s character. He is very chilled out but at the same time, there is a no-nonsense kind of behavior on set.

I have never worked with any one of the ladies in the female cast. But it didn’t feel like that at all that I am working with them for the first time. It felt like we have always known each other and it was great bonding, friendship, taking care of each other, and making it easier for each other. I met these amazing women who belong to the theatre and I learned so much from their performance.

So tell us who your favorite Churail both in real is and reel life?

I loved Batol’s character as it was very Bindas. I liked the transition in her character from being a firecracker to be lady-like. That is very much how Sara would have liked her to be. In real life, I like Batol, Bano, Yasra- all of them. There was no stardom in them and quirks like ‘Oh I am a famous person’.

So Batol is my favorite Churail for her character and all of them in real life for their amazing personalities.

Do you think releasing Pakistani content on an Indian streaming platform can again stir noise from extremist elements across the border?

It is about time we just make art and concentrate on that. For us, even if Netflix or Amazon would have approached us, we would have made Churails for them. We weren’t looking for an Indian platform to only put our content on. Shailja from Zee5 saw Asim’s Cake and wanted him to write something for her. It was a wonderful opportunity, the stars collided, they worked on a script and we ended up doing it.

How are you expecting the response to be? Do you think the web-series can be controversial for some members of the audience?

When I signed the project, the content in it does make one think if you want to jump in the pan. But to tell this amazing story, one has to gather a lot of guts. We were ready for it and when we are shooting we assumed that Churail’s response is going to be 80% hatred and 20% love but it turned out to be the opposite.

To our surprise, it was 80% love and 20% fine. That is–– fine for an equation. I think people are also ready to be told such stories and watch stuff like this, to be told worthy stories that are real and are a reflection of our society. We are not telling any alien stories but we are narrating tales of women who are around us. Women who are around us globally appreciated that fact and people are ready for better, more intelligent content.

People have surely underestimated her and some might even have dismissed her for being an not-so-glamorous performer in the past. Those who have an eye to spot a diamond would have realized that she is an underrated artist.

All those who follow her on social media are a fan of her moving poetry recitals. She is real, raw and her unpretentious style make her appear as a modest, humble and a natural beauty. So when we witnessed her shine as the savvy and swanky wedding planner-turned-detective agent in Asim Abbasi’s Churails, we were floored by her dynamic transformation.

But this change has been beyond the surface for Yasra. It has been a metamorphosis on an emotional level, one she is willing to stay close to!

We sat down with Yasra for a heart-to-heart and asked her about her experience working with her now close clan of Churails; Sarwat Gillani, Nimra Bucha, and Meher Bano. In blithe spirit, Yasra talks about her life being a Churail. Read on:

This web-series will surely redefine the word ‘Churail’ for Pakistanis and so many other things. How do you feel being part of this massive change?

I am also hoping that this change is also for non-resident Pakistanis, Indians all over the world, and people who understand Urdu in which the narrative is made. I feel great about being a part of this massive change. I am a proud Churail.

We feel you differ a lot from Jugnu in real life. Are we correct and how did you prepare for such a challenging avatar?

It’s quite true, especially superficially and how I look. I am not that high fashion in real life. I like to keep things simple and basic. That part was a challenge but it was taken care of by the production designer, Aarij Hashimi, and the stylist, Samya Ansari. They helped me not just with my outfits and making the whole look work, but they coached me all the way through. I fell on the sets a lot because I was wearing heels as I am not used to wearing them much.

But on an emotional level, there were a lot of common grounds and things I could connect to Jugnu- the whole deflection bit, letting the demons just hover and not addressing them. We are similar like that!

Jugnu Chaudhry is someone who evolves and when I read her on paper, I realized that there is a clear-cut evolution in her character. When I donned the avatar, I felt there was so much there in her persona to work on. What I loved the most about her was that she welcomed change. She was open and she remained open to changing herself, her life, and her world view. I found her very fluid and by playing Jugnu, I discovered that I was like that too but I lost that about myself. I have found it again and I am planning to keep it.

How was it working with Asim and all the savage women in the cast?

The savage women celebrated sisterhood on the sets. We had a great time and all the women got along. We grew much closer and became real-life friends through this project.

Asim is a tough negotiator and he doesn’t give in soon. As a director, he knows what he wants and it was a challenge as an actor to be with such a director. The good thing about it is that he pushes the actor to the best-possible potential. But the downside is that you are constantly wondering if you are doing good or not. This was good for me as a performer. Consequently, it was an emotional, creative, interactive, tense yet rewarding relationship with him as an actor. I broke myself down for this character and it was worth doing it. I needed that kick in the butt.

So tell us who your favorite Churail is, both in real and reel life?

It is impossible to choose your favorite Churail. We don’t do that in the Churail tribe. (laughs) In real life, my favorite Churail would be my mom, who is also a Churail. We took a lot of time to realize that we are both Churails and acknowledging and respecting that about each other.

Do you think releasing Pakistani content on an Indian streaming platform can again stir noise from extremist elements across the border?

The exchange of art is there to build compassion in the hearts of the audience. We follow Bollywood stars, they are followed and loved here. Similarly, our stories also need to be told to our neighboring nations.

Sadly, it is a long process with Netflix and Amazon. We don’t have a local OTT that is very prominent and is on its way to becoming huge. So when a global OTT platform offers you an opportunity, you seize that chance and spread your stories in 191 countries. That is the work of the artist. Now, if someone objects to it, then it’s the matter of those factions of society who deem it wrong or right. As an artist, it is our job to stay in reality and our work as well.

How are you expecting the response to be? Do you think the web-series can be controversial for some members of the audience?

Something or the other will always be controversial or scandalous for someone or the other. I see why the television has limitations due to its placement in the households and its communal viewing pattern.

There has to be a place to address realistic themes that exist in your life and your society, a medium where there are such no limitations. So the web is that place where it’s open for all, yet very niche. On such a medium, you must address such themes and actual problems that you live with it in a more up-close and personal fashion.

Even today, whenever a song that takes the listeners back in time is released, it generates a lot of buzz, because it provides the fans of the bygone era a trip down the memory lane. Be it Fuzon’s Khamaj or its many inspirations, they release to a thunderous applause each and every time.

That’s why when the grandson of Khawaja Khursheed Anwar – Rameez Anwar – collaborated with Zeb Bangash and came out with ‘Woh Umeed Ki Manzil, everyone loved the feel behind the monochromatic music video, the grand composition, the heart-melting poetry and above all, Zeb Bangash’s novel style of singing. HIP managed to talk to both the composer Rameez and singer Zeb about this collaboration and they had a lot to say how the song was conceived and why they decided to come with a music video that had nothing in common with the present, but everything in common with the past. Excerpts:

HIP: Rameez, your song seems like a perfect tribute to the era when your grandfather was on top of his game. Was coming up with a black and white video a deliberate decision to give it the vintage touch?

Rameez Anwar: Absolutely. When Maham Khwaja (another of Khwaja Khursheed Anwar’s grandchildren and a filmmaker) and I first began discussing the project, it was assumed that we would be doing this in black and white. There was no other question. Although after we filmed the video, we were very very briefly tempted to use the color footage, since the fall colors in the garden were in full force, making for a very picturesque setting. However, we stayed the course and stuck with the black and white color grading (along with some digitally added graining to give it that less sharp look of older films). We wanted it to feel like you were watching some lost footage from a 50s-60s film. Like Ghunghat or Intezaar; so the black-and-white was an almost automatic choice.

HIP: What made you go for a romantic filmi song in an era when people are into fast numbers?

Rameez Anwar: It is a bit of a paradox. A lot of contemporary music these days can sound homogenous, even if an artist is trying to do something new. In a way, by reaching back for these old, traditional methods of composition, I think I have been able to present something to audiences that feels simultaneously very familiar, and yet, very unique for this day and age. “Everything old is new again,” as they say.

For me, I look at examples here in the US and in Pakistan that show that people still yearn (at least every now and then) for traditional expressions of art. We see it a lot with some of the most successful songs from Coke Studio’s repertoire. In America, you have films like La La Land, or even better, The Artist, which was shot as a black and white silent film and which was critically and commercially successful. These types of works of art offer a respite from the breakneck pace of modern life, and I think that’s a good thing that people yearn for. So for me, this was a way of offering people something different to break the cycle of standard music/music videos they’re seeing these days.

Even beyond that, I wasn’t overly concerned with how the public would respond to this song. Of course, I wanted people to enjoy it and I want this song to do well with audiences and critics. I wanted to bring some nostalgic joy into people’s lives. However, I can’t control the audience response. All I can do is to put in the work to make the song as good as it can be. My guiding ethos as an artist is to make music that I myself would like to listen to. If I can accomplish that, then I’ve done my work. I wouldn’t force others to listen to something that I wouldn’t want to listen to myself. That would be disingenuous. So again, I try to do that, make the best song I can make within my abilities and limitations, and then the rest is in God’s hands.

Zeb Bangash: Yes, fast numbers usually cause a stir, get popular quickly and artists want to have them in their repertoire. Personally I think they’re fun and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the few I have sung in my career. Having said that, I am always on the lookout for ballads to sing and they have a special place in my heart. There is a lot more space for melody in romantic songs and as a vocalist I can really bring my emotive dramatic self. Also, as a romantic myself, I know that our people as an audience resonate with songs reminiscing on first loves and unrequited love. In my experience, these songs forge a bond with the audience that is personal and special and one that lasts much longer than a groovy dance number.

HIP: How would you rate the experience of working with a newcomer like Rameez Anwar?

Zeb Bangash: Rameez may have been a newcomer but he was highly accomplished as a musician and that was important to me. In any case I have met plenty of people who never ‘made it’ in the industry but are brilliant artists so my collaborators’ position in the industry is not a primary concern. With Rameez I found his work, his process and his artistic point of view inspirational and the minute I heard the melody for Woh Umeed Ki Manzil I was sold.

HIP: Rameez, tell us about the experience of working with Zeb Bangash?

Rameez Anwar: Working with Zeb has been an absolute dream come true. She is a true-blue musician, a genuine artist. She strives to be a better musician each day, and it shows. Her command of musical theory and her voice as an instrument is so impressive. She took a huge chance working on this song with someone like me who, aside from my Dada Jaan’s name, was relatively untested and unknown. So I’ll always be grateful to her for that.

When I arrived in Pakistan to work on the song, I made a list of all possible singers I had some personal connection to, however tangential, as well as a list of dream singers whom I thought would be out of reach but who would be perfect for this track. Zeb was at the top of that dream list. I did not think at the time that this was a realistic or attainable goal; I didn’t have the first idea as to who could put us in touch. However, fate intervened and an aunt of mine, Amna Zahid, put me in touch with Mr. Sharif Awan.

Mr. Sharif Awan was kind enough to meet with me, for which I’ll always be grateful. He asked me whom I had in mind for the song, and on a whim, I started off kind of embarrassed saying, “Well, I would love to have Zeb Bangash sing the song, but…” and before I could finish the sentence, he said “Okay done.” And he reached out to her and she was gracious enough to meet with me in Lahore, where we discussed the project at a broad level. She was intrigued, so I sent her a demo a little while after that. When she heard it, she immediately replied back saying she was in. I still remember how elated I was when I found out. I may or may not have run around the house a little bit to blow off all that excited energy. I knew with Zeb on the track, we would be able to work wonders.

I’ve been a huge fan of Zeb’s for years - ever since I first heard ‘Bibi Sanam.’ I actually attended a concert of hers in New York a few years ago. It was a magical evening, one of my favorite live performances. I was struck by her command of Desi as well as Western musical elements, something I picked up on in our first conversation about the song in Lahore. She’s got a very impressive and broad command of musical theory. I would be lying if I said I was not intimidated in that first meeting (laughs).

HIP: Zeb, your voice seems a little different in this song ...was that a deliberate attempt to sound vintage or there was another reason behind it?

Zeb Bangash: I did not deliberately change my voice for this song but you’re not the first person to point out that I’m sounding different on it. To my mind there could be a few reasons why. This track was recorded and produced with a deliberately retro aesthetic, with entirely live instrumentation and lush arrangements. Perhaps, the lack of overly compressed brightness in the production is giving my voice a different character. Also the melody, phrasing and temperament of the song is unique and I haven't heard this kind of composition before. Most significant is that I have been training my voice, which will always bring subtle changes in timbre and expression. I think it could be any or all these reasons. Personally I rendered the song according to the feel of the melody and the lyrics.

HIP: Rameez, your grandfather was a mentor to most of the music composers who came in the 1960s. Who mentored you when you were growing up?

Rameez Anwar: You know, I haven’t had one consistent mentor to guide me on this musical journey. If anything, I patterned a lot of my life choices off of Dada Jaan’s, though of course, I never met him as he passed away two years before I was born. I’ve studied western and subcontinental classical music, just as Dada Jaan did. I pursued academics and storytelling outside of music. Aside from Dada Jaan, one band I admired for a long time was Radiohead, and I’ve taken some lessons from their career arc. In addition, I’ve had many music teachers (piano, voice, sarangi) who have guided and shaped me as a musician.

And lately, I’ve been fortunate to be in touch with many musicians in the Pakistani scene who have been gracious enough to advise and guide me. I’m grateful to people like Omran Shafique, Asim Raza the lyricist, Sohail Abbas the producer, Javed Iqbal, Baqir Abbas, and Kami Paul, all of whom I’ve been fortunate either to work with or to get advice and guidance from or both. And, of course, Zeb has taught me so much, both as a performer and as a musician navigating the entertainment industry. So, I’m grateful to all of these fantastic and accomplished artists who have taken the time to guide me on my way.

HIP: Your grandfather was also a filmmaker... Do you have that in your genes?

Rameez Anwar: I do enjoy filmmaking and storytelling in other formats as well. Just as he was a screenwriter, I’ve devoted a lot of my time to writing short stories. A few years ago, I even spent a summer at the Iowa Writers Workshop, which is one of the premiere writing programs in the US. For a while, it looked like my career trajectory was headed towards a life as a writer. But then I switched course, just as Dada Jaan did. After all, he had a reputation at Government College of being a writer (mostly a poet), while his friend Faiz Ahmed Faiz had the reputation of a musician. They traded art styles, of course, and the rest was history.

As far as filmmaking, I’ve been heavily involved with directing and editing my prior work, and I’d love to return to filmmaking (and writing) someday. Though in the case of Woh Umeed Ki Manzil, I mostly stayed out of director Maham’s way other than a handful of spots where I had a long-held vision for a particular part of the song; after all, I’d been living with this song in my head for several years. However, the final product is overwhelmingly and almost purely Maham’s vision. She did a tremendous job researching all the visual details, developing a shot list, and executing her vision with her team (Brent Rowland as DP and Curtis Whitear as Production Assistant). I’m so proud of and grateful for the work she did for the video.

Some have serious issues with its plot, deeming it toxic and bothersome. The rest claim that the story is highly addictive. Curious, we sat down to review Jalan and analyze its story. Is it really controversial or just yet another clichéd tale that people are attacking? We found out!

A spicy sibling rivalry that has been burning the screens

Upon watching all of Jalan’s six episodes released so far, we concluded that its tale is not all that complicated. It a simple, plain old sibling drama revolving around jealousy, lust, and deceit. Similar plots have been made, for example, Hum TV’s Maat.

Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib) are two sisters that are as opposite to each other as day and night. Misha is sweet, simple, and down-to-earth. On the contrary, Nisha is a spoiled-brat and jealous rebel who could go to any length to get her hands on what she wants. Mostly, all the things she has her eyes on belong to her elder sister.

However, things go topsy-turvy the day Misha gets married to a wealthy and handsome man, Asfandyar( Emmad Irfani). He is the perfect guy, a partner ever girl dreams of. It was love at first sight for both of them and they happily get married.

Nisha, who is already engaged to her cousin Ahmer, now has eyes on Asfandyar. She wants his money, his lavish home, all the luxuries and of course wants to be his wife. One wonders that sisters can often be envious of each other’s life. But it’s disturbing to see them compete to the extent of stealing one’s husband.

Dramas with such stories are familiar. But surely it’s the cast and the sub-plots in Jalan that have made it one of the most-watched yet criticized drama.

The Good and the Bad

One of the most common complaints the critics have with Jalan is that it promotes a scandalous love triangle between a dreamboat of a guy, his wife, and sister-in-law. It also depicts toxic masculinity that thrives on our society. Time and again, we see Ahmer getting possessive for Nisha, to the extent he gets violent and people around him label him a psychopath.

Even Asfyandar, who appeared to be a gentleman in the beginning, made us doubt his character when he concealed some major details about Nisha’s visit to his home from his wife. We are still flabbergasted that if he is so saint-like, why the need to keep details from your dear wife.

Next, we witness the sister’s father constantly blaming their mother for being a bad influence on their daughters and not raising them well. He uses harsh words to admonish her that it is her fault Nisha has turned out to be a bad egg.

Slapping each other is shown as extremely common in Jalan-something we wish is not shown so much on screen. Nisha’s character also becomes a poisonous watch. Her darkness and shrewdness is extremely perturbing. Combine with that, the violence in the story can even give serious anxiety to some sensitive members of the audience.

Nevertheless, it seems like Minal Khan understood the vileness of Nisha and portrayed her perfectly. She has depicted herself as that icy-queen who is not afraid to destroy lives, be that of her fiancée or her sister. It won’t be wrong to say but it is her that is carrying Jalan so strongly as the antagonist. Her performance has made it addictive that despite knowing what is the story about and we probably all know the end, we will watch Jalan for her sake.

Areeba Habib and Emmad Irfani are an unconventional couple on screen but have strong chemistry. Our leading hero surely has looks that could kill. His tall frame and chiseled features are ideal for a guy like Asfandyar. Meanwhile, Areeba Habib too fits that role of the lovely, dainty girl who deserves all things good in the world.

But after Minal Khan, it is Fahad Sheikh who is grabbing all the spotlight as the insecure, crazy in love Ahmer. Fresh and rising, he boasts a lot of potential and will surely go places. Comments on his Instagram reveal that his reaping a massive fan-base for his portrayal of an angry young man.

Jalan might be a problematic story. But we bet that everyone who has started to watch it will continue to watch it or at least follow the drama. Like we mentioned in the beginning, a controversial story sometimes is all you need to make a drama become a rating magnet.

Sabaat maybe your second TV play but the way the audience waited for you make it seem as if they have known you for a long time. What do you have to say about that?

All I can say is that I am humbled by my fans, especially those who were waiting for my character to appear in Sabaat! The reason why I chose to do Sabaat was that the role was different than anything I had done before and that director Shehzad Kashmiri was doing it. In fact, while we were doing Anaa, he sort of mentioned Dr. Haris to me, and although I wasn’t sure whether I would be doing it, after a year it turns out I am the ‘good doctor’.

What can we expect from your character in Sabaat now that it seems that Dr. Haris might be in love with Miraal?

The writer Kashif Anwar must be commended for keeping Dr. Haris a mystery till late and that’s one of the reasons why it has gained so much attention. He makes his appearance after Miraal loses it, in fact, after sets her brother’s room on fire, chases away her fiancé, terrorizes his parents, and makes life difficult for her parents. From such an interesting buildup, Dr. Haris will take the story forward and try to find out what is causing Miraal to act in such a manner. Trust me, the way he will handle it will be both courteous as well as charismatic for the audience.

What was so charismatic about playing a psychiatrist; or did it have something to do with the stunning Sarah Khan as a patient?

Sarah Khan is a wonderful actress and we had some memorable scenes together in the drama. She is also a superb human being who is the exact opposite of Miraal, the character she is playing in the drama. However, my doing Sabaat has more to do with my character than any other person. Had it not been central to the plot, I might have declined it because I wanted something that steers the drama, not just be a part of it.

We do notice a change in appearance for Sabaat … how did you prepare for the role of Dr. Haris?

Those who have been following my career since theatre days know that I don’t stay long in one appearance. Altamash in Anaa was a different person than Dr. Haris so I gained a little weight to make them look different as well. I also met some therapists and asked them questions about their profession, their conduct, their codes and ethics, and how they conduct themselves while in a session with a patient.

Sabaat has so many senior actors performing together including Mohammad Ahmed, Seemi Raheel, Leyla Zuberi besides Moazzam Ali Khan who makes his debut. Didn’t it make you feel uncomfortable while performing in front of those who have been acting for a long time?

Not at all; in fact, I tried to observe these great actors when they were acting in the drama. The energy with which they perform is infectious in a good way and whatever I could learn from them, I tried to incorporate in my own performance. I must say, it was an absolute honor working with all these people and although I don’t have many scenes with Mohammad Ahmed and Seemi Raheel, I consider myself lucky to be a part of a star cast that includes them. As for Moazzam Bhai, well I have known him for some time since his younger brother Abbas and I have worked together on stage, but it was fun sharing the screen with him. You will see that in later episodes!

Care to give us a spoiler as to how your character ends up in the play?

Oh no, not at all. My fans have waited a long time for my character to show up, I can’t spoil the end for them. A lot will happen in the coming weeks so stay tuned and watch Sabaat every Sunday.

And then there is the good news we have been waiting for; your short film, 'Bench' won an award at the South Shore film festival. How do you feel on this achievement and were you expecting that your short film will emerge as the best from the rest?

It was one of the best things to happen to me as a filmmaker. When I directed Bench with Rubya Chaudhry in the lead, I knew at the back of my mind that we had something special on our hands but to win an award was something that would have been huge, and today it has become reality. We submitted Bench to most of the film festivals around the world but due to COVID-19, the jury sessions were held online. When I received the e-mail notifying me of winning the Best Short Film award at the South Shore film festival, I felt on top of the world. The achievement wouldn't have been possible without my team, friends, and well-wishers.

Featuring Aima Baig as the female vocalist and also as the lady love in the music video, Te Quiero has been making rounds both at home and abroad. Composed by Shiraz Uppal and penned by his trusted lieutenant Shakeel Sohail, the music video has been choreographed by the one and only Nigah Hussain, who is usually behind well-produced music videos, film songs, and dance (or item) numbers.

Directed by Saad Hashmi and shot featuring both cuties Haadi and Aima, the song leaves you in a happy frame of mine and that’s what it was supposed to do. It not only brings back memories of the Golden Era of Pakistani Music but also heralds a new one, where youngsters will carry the torch forward. And boy, the future sure looks bright with them!

Haadi Ali Uppal not only sounds like his legendary father Shiraz Uppal but also considers him great influence. Don’t be impressed just by his majestic physique, he has transformed from a Wannabe Singer Son to Singer Who Makes Daddy Proud with his achievements in no time. Three years back he released his first song Deewangi which introduced him to the world as Shiraz Uppal’s successor … while his father was still reigning the field! The song was appreciated by all where a young Haadi displayed his command over vocal cords and understanding of music at such a young age.

Last year he also made his film debut as a playback singer with Chhalawa where his song Madhaniyan with Neha Chaudhry was appreciated along with other songs in the album. And don’t be surprised if you believed that Shiraz Uppal was lending his voice to the number; the music composer was directing his son from behind the mirror.

Talking exclusively to HIP, Haadi Ali Uppal disclosed that the song was visualized to break the monotony of quarantine and it wouldn’t have been possible without Aima Baig who encouraged him throughout this project.

‘Music seemed like my solace during quarantine as I felt that I needed to do something. The mood all over the country was pretty gloomy and dull so I then came up with Te Quiero. I worked on this project with my dad and asked him if we could create something that was mellow yet romantic to brighten up the mood a little. While we were working on it, Aima Baig was there to work on another project for a movie song and she then heard my vocals. She really encouraged me through this project and it would not have been the same without her. Creating something romantic with a bit of a western touch only had Aima’s calling, so we worked on it and shaped what you see today.’

And if you are over the handsome hunk’s dashing looks, think about the fact that music was never his first priority. Yes, Shiraz Uppal’s son would not have taken up music had it not been for the lack of Sports activities in the country. The youngster wanted to become a professional footballer (soccer) and since Sports especially any kind of Football doesn’t have an infrastructure in Pakistan, Haadi opted for the next best thing.

‘My interest in this field developed a while ago. I wanted to become a professional football player, as it has always been my passion. I would say either fortunately or unfortunately being in Pakistan, this was not necessarily possible. The resources for this particular sports field are very less. This got my mind ticking and working on finding out where my desire further resides.’

Thank God Pakistan doesn’t play Football, otherwise, music’s loss would have been Sport’s gain … and there wouldn’t have been Te Quiero. The hip romantic number appeals to both the young music lovers as well as those who grew up listening to Shiraz Uppal. There are a few words here and there in Spanish, the music video has been shot in new-age style whereas the composition seems like an amalgamation of both the new and old style of songs. While talking about the song, Haadi Ali Uppal said that they used the Spanish words in the lyrics because they fit perfectly in every way. And he also spoke about the sizzling hot chemistry between Aima Baig and himself.

‘We toiled with the chorus, and then Te Quiero which means I love you is what fit perfectly right in. It flowed so well and when my dad composed the melody along with it just felt seamless. The chemistry created with Aima was very natural and there is no one who could have done a better job.’

Haadi Ali Uppal also credits his father for being more of a friend than a parent, and why he likes working with him.

‘Working with my dad has been very interesting. Even though it was friendly and very cordial overall, there were instances where he would be very particular about things as he is a perfectionist. Unless and until I actually deserve it my dad would never praise. We worked on each and every element in great detail and this really has been a huge learning experience. I would say it has been a fun and memorable project for me.’

How has the experience been?

It had been a tremendous journey. We started our career as fashion photographers, but the best part had been that we didn't stop there. We started brand consulting, explored film making, design thinking, data-driven creative & marketing, and so many other things:) some people think that we are mad. Still, our satisfaction is winning of brands that grew exceptionally during these years and admired our efforts.

You took part in Pak-US Tech Exchange Tour in February 2020, how was your experience, and what can our industries learn from this?

It was a great experience to present our case study of Data-Driven Creative & Marketing at Silicon Valley. We met very high-end diaspora and felt super proud of fellow Pakistanis who have raised the bar for the country. One crucial thing that our industries need to learn is Innovation Economy, Value Addition, and Marketing. Our industry needs to shift the mind-set to design thinking and invest in innovation; otherwise, in the future, we will be choked due to this old smoke-stacked industrial model.

The brand has evolved in the past 15 years, how have you seen this transition when it comes to your clients?

We have evolved with our clients, and they have grown with our futuristic vision. The successful journey of both of us was not possible with having faith in each other. 

Keeping in mind the dire constraints of industries today due to COVID-19, do you think there is a need for innovative thinking within the industry? If yes, possible to provide us with further details on how this can be achieved

Design Thinking enables us to resolve human-centered/consumer-centered problems through the wisdom of the crowd. This definition alone emphasizes enough to the need for innovative thinking. Not only within the industry, in fact, across the nation.  We are dedicating ourselves towards enablement; this initiative is all about helping the nation to resolve current issues and grow more in the future. We have worked out a digital platform as National Growth Plan. This is an integrated and unified digital platform. The core objective is to Trigger Innovation Economy in Pakistan through Knowledge of Design Thinking. This will be consisting of multiple apps & web. It will work as an Innovation Lab for Industry, as a school for Learners (Youth & working professionals) and a Community to connect innovative human resources with industry for freelance work, jobs and resolve more significant challenges through crowd knowledge. The platform will primarily be working on fertilizing the mind-set of Pakistani's for the Innovation Economy. 

Where do you see our industries heading towards if such innovation is practiced?             

I see ourselves producing robotic surgeries, driver-less cars, resolving human-centered problems, addressing consumer-centered needs, and a lot more. Pakistanis have a great opportunity of using design thinking as we already do it frequently in our daily lives. Almost everyone uses a particular type of "JUGAAD" to resolve day-to-day problems. That is the baseline of design thinking. We can do miracles, only if we just learn to make our Jugaads little structured and process based.

With this new concept of thinking and execution of a National Growth Plan, Guddu & Shani have implemented a platform to move towards an integrated and united industry where businesses, working professionals, youngsters, job management alike can come together to prepare effectively for the post-pandemic period.

The bold and the beautiful actress has been taking up strong characters that are pivotal to the script and leave an impact on the audience’s mind. There wouldn’t have been a Pyarey Afzal without Lubna, a Zara Yaad Kar without Mahnoor, a Khaani without Sanam (Khaani) and more recently, a Darr Khuda Se without Afreen. However, the character that heralded her career to the top has undoubtedly been that of Sameera in Ruswai where she played a rape victim who survives and seeks justice, even if it meant leaving those who she thought were her family. We met the talented actress who was the driving force behind the recently-concluded play and spoke to her about her Ruswai experience, winning an award for the character and what she thinks made the role a path-breaking one for all those girls out there. Excerpts:

HIP: Sana, now that Ruswai has ended, how does it feel being part of such a huge drama that tackled a subject that was till recently considered a taboo on TV?

Sana Javed: I feel honored to play such a character that represented all those women out there who have been victims of abuse, both mentally and physically. Ruswai became their voice, represented them and took their case forward even if they couldn’t do it themselves. The amount of love and respect I received from the audience has been unparalleled but my reward was the messages I received from actual survivors who termed the portrayal as both realistic and phenomenal. Some of those stories gave me goosebumps as I can’t imagine what they went through but it propelled me do work even harder so that they will not be disappointed by my performance. They told me that while they didn’t get justice in real life, Sameera’s happy ending gave them hope and courage to face the world and if that’s not a huge achievement, I don’t know what is!

By depicting a rape survivor, we have shown to the world that it is no more a taboo topic and a first step in the right direction. We must start treating the culprits as the bad guys here because the survivors are victims, they need their loved ones more than they can even imagine. The topic was something that had to be shown on TV because there are a lot of people out there who could relate to the story. We wanted to show them that by staying quiet, things will not get better and that’s why Sameera had to take charge, not only for herself but those who might have gone through the same process.

HIP: Did the strong-willed character affect you in any way, because from what we saw on screen, Sameera seemed to possess Sana Javed, not the other way round?

SJ: In the last year I haven’t done anything except Sameera and although Darr Khuda Se and Ruswai aired at the same time, I must agree that Sameera seemed to possess me. I couldn’t sleep for days which affected my health, my daily routine as well. However, due to the support of some really good people around me including my family, my friends and well-wishers I was able to come out of that phase and will be looking forward to doing something worthwhile in the coming days.

HIP: When a script is offered to you, what are the points that you consider before agreeing to it or rejecting it?

SJ: The first thing I consider is the impact of my character because if it is a minor character with no impact, it will both hurt my career and my fans. Whatever comes my way, has to be substantial otherwise there is no point in doing it. The second thing that I take into consideration is the team behind the project and the channel on which the drama will air. I have so far worked with all the major channels out there and hopefully, the trend will continue in the coming days. And finally, it is the director who would be guiding me in front of the camera because he or she would be the eventual captain of the ship. That's why my next project after Ruswai is a Big Bang Production to be directed Badar Mehmood who is one of the best directors around. Penned by Mohsin Ali, it also features Bilal Abbas in the lead, however, I am quite impressed by producers Fahad Mustafa and Dr. Ali Kazmi’s way of handling things, even before the project takes off.

HIP: First it was Khaani, then Darr Khuda Se and now Ruswai, you have played strong characters on screen that have inspired a lot of people. Is there a special reason behind opting for such characters?

SJ: How can I teach the audience to do something when I haven’t had the chance to go through it myself, that’s the philosophy I go by when accepting strong characters. Every time I become part of a project, I try to learn something new from it so that the audience gets to learn something as well. My fans also want me to take up strong characters as well because they want me to fight for what’s right, not cry on spilled milk.

HIP: Ruswai came, aired and became a sensation, so much so that you ended up bagging a Critics Award for your emotionally charged performance. Now that the play has ended, do you think it would change the way rape victims feel in this part of the world?

SJ: Change doesn’t happen overnight, it comes slowly and takes over when the time is right. I feel that Ruswai might be the step in the right direction and even though it might not change the mindset of the victims, it will give them a direction. As for my performance, all I can say is that people saw Sameera on screen, not another character portrayed by Sana Javed and that’s what makes me most happy. All the negativity that surrounded my health during the play is now gone and I am ready to help all those women out there who need Sameera to stand for them.

HIP: Sameera’s character was an inspiration for the audience, but what about Sameera’s inspiration. Tell us something about the experience of meeting the real-life Wonder Woman Mukhtaran Mai in the final episode of the play.

SJ: That was a surprise even for me when I was shooting the play since Mukhtaran Mai was the inspiration behind the movement Ruswai was part of. Both Sameera and I were elated when we did that scene last year because not only it showed that hope can do wonders, it also told all those women out there that if they stand by the truth, good things will eventually happen. I must thank the team for keeping it a secret for a full year, and that’s why when the episode aired, it hit the audience like an Alfred Hitchcock twist. I am also thankful to all those who appreciated my performance, gave it a place in their headlines and termed it as one of the most important characters of the year. The project wouldn’t have been possible without Naila Ansari’s script, Rubina Ashraf’s direction, Nadeem Baig’s advice, Sanam Mehdi’s guidance, and Humayun Saeed and Shahzad Nasib’s trust in my abilities, besides the excellent work by my co-actors.