Mahesh Bhatt’s memorable classic Arth is being remade in Urdu for Pakistani audiences. The sensitive yet hard hitting film has earned several accolades for showcasing infidelity and insecurities, bold subjects for its time, way back in 1982. The Pakistani version is being made across the border with Shaan Shahid as the director, as well as the main lead, along with popular actors Mohib Mirza, Humaima Malick and Uzma Haasan. Filming is 80% complete and both countries are curious about how much of the original’s essence will be carried forward in the sequel titled Arth 2.
Arth, starring Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil and Kulbushan Kharbanda in lead roles, is the story of a film director who falls in love with an insecure actress, despite being married. While the actress ends up making her own life miserable, the shunned wife bravely attempts to move on with life, despite her husband’s infidelity. Shahid feels grateful that Mahesh Bhatt chose to share the rights to the film’s script with the filmmaker. In an interview with the Times Of India, he talks more about how Arth 2 will be different from the original.
Shaan Shahid, Actor & FilmmakerWhen, Mahesh Bhatt saab called me to do the film Arth in a Pakistani version I was totally excited. The movie will be made in an Urdu version and it’s going to be a multi level movie, with actors from both the countries. The essence of the movie will not be affected at all. Bhatt saab was very kind enough to share the rights of the script of the movie to me.
But how will Pakistani audiences react to such bold female characters and an unconventionally hard hitting film about an extra-marital affair? Shaan Shahid seems confident that the people of his country will accept the film with maturity and a sense of realism.
Shaan ShahidEveryone has their own ideas and perceptions and people are all the same. Whether it be Hollywood, Bollywood or Lollywood. Such things are commonly seen everywhere these days and it is the reality of life. I’m sure people in Pakistan will accept the truth of what is happening today. Times have changed now. Today’s generation is far more advanced and they are open to watching such realistic movies.
Pakistani actress Humaima Malick will essay the role played by Smita Patil in the Mahesh Bhatt original. Shahid hopes to rope in Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for the film’s music while he himself will be playing the lead role played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda in the 1982 original. Co-producer and distributor Hammad Chaudhry of HKC Entertainment asserts that Pakistanis are just as modern as Indian filmgoers.
Arth 2 is looking at a summer release across India, Pakistan and international territories. While Indian films do well in Pakistan, as is evident from the popularity of the Khans and great openings given to the Dhoom and Krrish franchises, it seems to be only a matter of time when Pakistani films will make their way into the Indian market. Pakistani actors Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar have crossed borders successfully into Bollywood and Indian actors Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri have been celebrated in Pakistan too. Mahesh Bhatt is equally delighted by this partnership.
Mahesh Bhatt, FilmmakerI started my career with Arth and it makes me happy to see another filmmaker interpret it in his own way. Every director has his own world-view and I have granted Shaan complete freedom to reinterpret my thoughts and present his version of an iconic romance-drama.
We loved Shaan in Shoaib Mansoor’s 2007 thriller Khuda Kay Liye and haven’t forgotten Humaima Malick’s performance in Bol. Shaan is undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s greatest actors with over 586 films to his credit. With Mahesh Bhatt agreeing to be the mentor on Arth 2, the remake is likely to surprise us all.
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