Published at:
http://dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/24-May-16/connecting-countries-through-cinema
https://kashmirobserver.net/2016/opinions/connecting-countries-through-cinema-6847
By: Ravi Nitesh
Cinema is always an effective medium that gives so much to society, and for India and Pakistan, it is also one of the most substantial mediums to reach people
Indian
and Pakistani hearts beat alike. The fact is that social bonding, cultural
similarities and linguistic approach are in such a way that both sides are able
to understand and to feel each other’s joy and sufferings without much effort
in understanding. People on both sides are very passionate to know about each
other. This includes their passion for fashion, fabrics, food, festivals and
films. They explore options such as websites, social media and books to know
about each other. When a new channel was launched in India that started showing
Pakistani television serials, its TRPs soared high, and not only the channel
but also even serial characters have become a household name. Many families
have named their newborn sons and daughters on the name of characters of these
serials. This is evidence of ‘acceptance’ that is very positive. It also shows
how it is a barricade of manmade systems in the name of security and other
reasons that actually restricts many things that should have been flowing
naturally across border.
But like water, our emotions also
find ways. When for a new project a few film directors of both sides were
approached by a new production house and they were told that it would be a
joint project, many of them readily agreed, excited to work with one another.
In the final bonding, it started with six film makers from each side, including
prominent names like Mehreen Jabbar, Meenu Gaur, Farjad Nadi, Khaled Ahmad,
Bejoy Nambiar, Ketan Mehta, Aparna Sen, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Tanuja Chandra,
Siraj-ul-Haq, Shahbaz Sumar, Sabiha Sumar and Nikhil Advani. These are the
people who bring voice to many untold and silent stories and many of these have
already proved their social consciousness through their works. This time their
being together has become more special in the sense that by their films it is
not only about awareness to people about a subject but also a connection of
hearts across border.
In view of the objective, the
initiative is named Zeal for Unity. With these 12 directors, people would be
able to enjoy 12 beautiful films. Their coming together comes with a message
“Main aur tu” (It takes two), and there are beautiful poetic style messages in
their own voice. These filmmakers also added their messages to the Indo-Pak
peace calendar of the Aaghaz-e-Dosti this year, thus showing their support
towards the process of peace-building between the two countries.
These films are not full-length
feature films, as the duration is from 30 minutes to two hours. In view of the
potential that is rapidly growing for short films due to various reasons, it
seems appropriate to have meaningful cinema in this format.
Cinema is always an effective
medium that gives so much to society, and for India and Pakistan, it is also
one of the most substantial mediums to reach people. A barrier that still
exists is about the reach of people to such cinema, as common people on both
sides do not have an easy accessibility to documentaries and short films. They
are able to watch some films through television, film festivals or social
media, but the fact is these kinds of films are largely unavailable on social
media and on mainstream television channels. Film festivals are still a not a
very popular medium, as it caters to a miniscule part of a large population,
despite piracy rackets being quite powerful. These barriers need to be
understood, and there is need to find new ways for making short films and
documentaries more popular and easily accessible.
During a special screening of
Ketan Mehta’s Toba Tek Singh in New Delhi at the fourth peace calendar launch
event of the Aaghaz-e-Dosti, the impact was such that some people felt as if
Manto himself narrated the story. The auditorium was packed with people from
all walks of life, with many seated even on ground. One of Bollywood’s most
respected actors, Pankaj Kapoor, played the character of Sardar Bishan Singh
who wanted to go to Toba Tek Singh, and finally ended his life on the border.
Toba Tek Singh is one of the most popular stories by Saadat Hassan Manto, and
in its dramatic forms is one is one of the most enacted theatrical productions.
However, bringing it on big screen with such splendid directorial skills as
that of Mehta’s, the story would reach of course more people.
There is a great deal of
potential in India and Pakistan in many areas of common interest, and
development of that would not only benefit people but also governments and all
other stakeholders of development in both countries. Connecting through culture
can definitely turn that potential into reality and contribute in the larger
goal of peace.
Pakistani artistes are popular in
India, but what is not there is an understanding of each other, the main reason
being unavailability of opportunity and absence of scope of working together.
More opportunities of interaction like filmmaking will help in developing
understanding of each other, which may result in minimising hostility. We hope
that work of Indian and Pakistani filmmakers may bring a new kind of cultural
connection of working together, of understanding and of moving ahead together.
- Ravi Nitesh
