“You haven’t seen anything like Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai before!” | Film

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Interview

“Where there is love there is life.”

Director Anjum Shahzad follows the same principle in real life. The actor-turned-director is all set to release his second feature film – Zindagi Katni Hussain Hai – and believes that the romantic film of youth and Adults will love both. They may have a point as the soundtrack of their film is first rate, the lead pair was chosen with the audience in mind. And the promotion is in full swing. Will the film be able to establish itself in the face of tough competition? Will this usher in the era of romantic films in Pakistan? Instep decided to meet Anjum Shahzad on Sunday to talk about his film, his upcoming projects and his most famous character Bobby. Quotes:

Instep: How scared are you of the competition – especially Actor In Law and Janaan – which is releasing on the same day as your film?

Anjum Shahzad: I am not afraid at all. In fact, I am happy that so many Pakistani films are releasing on this Eid-ul-Azha. However, it would have been better if the three producers had sat together, discussed the strategy regarding the release dates and all the films could have been released one by one instead of at the same time. We are still in recovery mode and we don’t have that many cinemas and unless we support each other, we cannot move forward.

Instep: What is the story of ZKHH … Wasn’t this kind of movie made earlier in Hollywood (Kramer vs Kramer), Pakistan (Aaina) and India (Akele Hum Akele Tum)?

AS: ZKHH belongs to the same genre of filmmaking as the films you mentioned but trust me it is unlike any film you have seen. It is about a teenage couple who fall in love but things go awry when they get married. The film depicts how two passionate people (played brilliantly by Feroze Khan and Sajal Ali) fall in love, are blessed with a son and then go their separate ways. When things don’t go as they expect. It is a kind of roller coaster ride, which the audience will enjoy as they haven’t seen such a movie in a long time.

Instep: Don’t you think Sajal Ali is too young to play a six-year-old mother?

AS: I will answer this question through my film (Smile) because she is not playing the role of Sajal Ali on screen. Both Sajal and Feroze have worked hard in the film and I must mention that the kid Gabriel has also done a wonderful job. His acting will keep you engrossed in the story.

Instep: How did you get hold of Sukhwinder Singh for the film?

AS: I am a big fan of Sukhwinder Singh, but Dr. Abdul Khaliq, who is also the writer/producer of the film, and Adnan Dhol (of Souch) must be credited for this decision. Should be given. Adnan, who composed four songs in the film, sang the song ‘Katni Baar’ but we felt that a voice like Sukhwinder would make the song stand out. The producer and music director spoke to Sukhwinder who sang what can be described as his first number for a Pakistani film.

Instep: The music of your film has become very popular after its release. Why do you think people appreciated the songs?

AS: I feel that without a director’s input, a film’s music cannot be popular because it is the director who envisions the way the song should be filmed. The music director should be on the same page as the director because you can’t make a good song without knowing how the visuals will be in the film. I sat with our music directors – Sohail Haider, Adnan Dhol and Rabi Ahmed (Soch) and Farhan Shaikh – while they were composing the songs and I guess that helped us in the long run. We looked for singers (like Mustafa Zahid, Momina Musthasan) who suited the song instead of popular faces and I’m glad the audience agreed with me.

Step: So you chose Momina Mustahsan purely on merit?

AS: Oh yeah (laughs). Adnan Dhaul suggested that we use Momina’s voice for the title track and I agreed as he had worked for a villain a few years back. Momina has a good voice which suits the situation but we didn’t know that she would become so popular after her ‘Afreen Afreen’ song at Coke Studio.

Instep: Most of the films released this year are flops. How do you think we can improve the situation?

AS: There are two things we need to do so that we can start making good films on a regular basis. First, we need script doctors in Pakistan who can look at the first draft and recommend changes. Second, we need to understand that reporters and critics cannot be the same. A reporter reports things as they happen while a critic must think objectively and analyze the film using all his knowledge. You cannot say that a movie is a hit or a flop because often a flop movie is not bad or a hit movie is not good. They should realize that making a film takes a lot of hard work and rejecting one is just not the right way.

Instep: We don’t have film writers in Pakistan. How difficult is it for a director who is asked to call for shots for a script written by a TV writer?

AS: There are many writers in the country who have neither written for TV nor films and that is what makes them unique. The screenplay of the film must be strong otherwise it will not work well and it can be improved only if the writer and director understand each other. In Shakar Hai Zindagi Katni Hussain Hai, the author is also one of the producers of the film and he helped me a lot to steer the script in his own way.

Instep: You were born in Islamabad, studied in Lahore (and Islamabad) and work in Karachi. Do you think the Karachi-Lahore divide between producers really exists?

AS: Karachi is the center of film production in Pakistan these days, as was Lahore in the past. There is immense talent in both the cities although Karachi is producing more films than Lahore but this is because Karachi is a metropolis and talented people from all over the country come to work here. However, I think a good producer who knows how to make a film will come up with a good film and it doesn’t depend on the city he belongs to. If the producer is not good, even the best actors, directors and writers will not be able to save it.

Steph: How do you transition successfully between TV and film – first Mah Meer, then Rang Laga, now ZKHH?

AS: I don’t have a problem with the switch but I don’t think I will be able to do TV very often in the near future due to my film commitments. I have several projects on my plate. But if some directors can do justice to both films and TV, I think they should do both.

Instep: Don’t you miss acting especially after playing a popular character like Bobby in Family Front?

AS: I love acting and what made theater and TV my passion for acting. When I was doing Bobby, I realized that with time acting would wear off and I would have to move on. Then I thought I would be better used behind the camera instead of in front of it and became a director. Now every day is a new day for me.

Instep: But people don’t recognize the person behind the camera?

AS: That was also one of the reasons I decided to go behind the camera. I am a very low profile person and I enjoy my life the way I want to live it. At first I loved Bobby’s attention but later it became annoying especially when I was out with my family and people would bother me. I am still up for good roles in theater and if anyone has a role for me I would love to do it.

Instep: You could have acted in your own film…

AS: I have done a small role in the film but it was not planned … the actor who was supposed to play the role did not come to the set on time and I took over because I had a film. There was a shooting. (smile)

– Omair Alvi is a freelance broadcast journalist and can be contacted at @omair78@gmail.com.