Hello bharatwasio and bharatbhakto,
Let’s talk about… the evils of cinema, sorry, Pakistani Cinema. As you know, Pakistan, with a lot 'chhal' and 'kapat', has been troubling us. Along the border, in Kashmir, basically wherever they can get their butt in. But now that 'chhal' and 'kapat' has entered our desh ka lifeline – our film industry.
Pesh hai… Pakistani ‘Chhal'chitra !
Mumbai will soon be hosting its film festival – MAMI (The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image). A recently restored 1959 classic film Jago Hua Savera was to be screened at the festival. But festival chief Kiran Rao has now pulled it off.
Yes, you are right… kyunki picture Pakistani hai mere dost!
Yes, the film was made by Pakistanis. Pakistanis like the great poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, whom both India and Pakistan celebrate. Faiz wrote the screenplay of Jago Hua Savera. Probably the only he wrote. The film’s director was a Pakistani, Akhtar Jung Kardar. Brother of legendary Indian filmmaker Abdur Rashid Kardar who introduced Naushad, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Suraiya to Bollywood in the ’40s and ’50s.
Also, the film is based on celebrated Bengali writer Manik Bandopadhyay's novel Padma Nadir Majhi. The film stars Bengali theatre legend Tripti Mitra in a lead role. The film's music was scored the bengali composer Timir Baran. That's quite a few 'Indians'. No?
And, what’s the film about? Well, I checked… and... It’s not about big moustache-iod, badass, mass-murdering Pakistani generals. Nor does it feature Fawad Khan, or any of those other ‘cheapo Pakistani artistes’ who’re living off Bollywood.
The film, set in then East Pakistan, present Bangladesh, is about the aspirations of poor fisherfolk living along the Padma and Meghna rivers, and the ideal island of one Hossain Miya.
Yeah, just a very touching story of human experience, which should have no nationality.
Dekho Kiran Rao, it’s rather simple, app jitna ragdo ge, chutney utni hi kadwi banegi...
Are we still sure we DON’T want to watch this ‘Pakistani’ film at MAMI?
Cameraperson: Shiv Kumar Maurya
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
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