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I
By Samir Gupta
B R I E F S
Cultural
crossings
By Rubia Moghees
inger-actor Ali Zafar has had a
marvelous year. His latest Bollywood venture, the Yash Raj production Kill Dil confirmed him
as a versatile, multi-talented star
with the ability to morph into any role.
The return of the rising star to his native
city Lahore spurred much excitement
amongst his fans. Zafar's popularity in Pakistan is mirrored by his rising fan following
across the border in India, going by the
rave reviews by Indian critics and audiences for his latest film Kill Dil.
His role of an assassin in the film takes
him far from his sweet, boy-next-door
image, a 'chocolate-box hero' best suited
for rom-coms. And his clean image at home
and in India gives the media no opportunity
to embroil him in any scandal, rumour or
Congratulations to
Malala Yousufzai and
Kailash Sathyarti for
the Nobel Peace
Prize awarded in
Oslo, Norway, on
December 10, International Human Rights Day.
Let's work to eradicate the evils they are fighting
he veteran filmmaker MaMalik Aslam, an experienced direcActing from the Central School of
hesh Bhatt, in his ongotor with a host of well-received proSpeech and Drama, London, and a
ing attempt to find comductions to his credit (including
PhD in "The Inclusion of Folk elemon ground between
street theatre) will co-direct the play.
ments in Shakespearean Plays perIndia and Pakistan, is all
They plan to have rehearsals toformed in Hindi".
set to produce and present a play tigether in India as well as in Pakistan,
The last play he directed was
tled "Milne Do".
and stage the production in March"Daddy", a theatrical adaptation of
"I have always maintained that a
April 2015 in both countries with live
Bhatt's powerful 1989 film by the
movie or a play can be a greater vemusic. The popular acsame name, featuring Zahid in the
hicle of peace than all the lectures
leading role. He also played the
we give," he says.
lead in last year's stage
"Any message, if comadaption of Bhatt's
municated through
iconic 1982 film "Arth".
storytelling, touches a
"I think Imran has the
chord. We are also trydiscipline and the consising to do the same. This
tency required to take up
play will be an emoprojects and deliver qualtional transaction beity stuff," Bhatt says of his
tween industries on
protg. "Not everyone has the
both sides."
tenacity to take an idea from inThe cross-border colception to its finishing point".
laborative project across
"This is my first trip to Pakborders has been in the
istan and I'm really happy and exmaking for over a year. It
cited about it. I was a little neris an "intense love story
vous so I took extra care with all
between two culturally
my documents when applying
crossed individuals during
for the visa but the Pakistan
times of abject hatred, it is
High Commission officials
Malik Aslam were so warm, welcoming
ted
aimed at promoting the
ec
dir
to,
an
M
ssan
292" on Sadat Ha
core message of Aman ki
and helpful," says Zahid, who
Theatre: "Dafa
Asha," says the Delhi-based Azad
is keen to meet and interact with stumale lead Imran Zahid.
tivist band Laal is already on board
dents in Lahore.
On Dec 15th Zahid is going to
from the Pakistan side. From India,
"Mahesh ji had called the PakPakistan along with theatre director
Euphoria has given a positive reistani consulate beforehand so they
Danish Iqbal. During their four-day
sponse.
were expecting us. It was nice to see
stay they want to finalise the script,
Danish Iqbal has a distinguished
their great respect for him. They gave
cast -- including the female lead from
career in theatre as well as a solid
us the visa in just one day, and even
Pakistan -- and design of the play in
academic background in the field. A
exempted us from police reporting,"
collaboration with the activist group
graduate of the National School of
he adds. "Pakistan's Deputy High
Azad Theatre, Lahore. Azad Theatre's
Drama, he has an M.A in Classical
Commissioner Mansoor Ahmad
Ali Zafar:
Back in town
laughing, saying that it's an impossible dream. But now Indian movies
are being shown in Pakistan, and
Pakistani soaps are being shown in
India. There are actors and singers
from Pakistan working here. We
have moved light years ahead in just
10-11 years."
He hopes that such cultural exchanges will "eventually fulfill the
dream of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi of the two countries
walking hand-in-hand."
This vision, incidentally, was also
shared by Pakistan's founding father
who wanted India and Pakistan to
have the kind of relationship that the
United States and Canada enjoy.
Beena Sarwar
Destination Peace: A commitment by the Jang Group, Geo and The Times of India Group to
create an enabling environment that brings the people of Pakistan and India closer together,
contributing to genuine and durable peace with honour between our countries.