E X C L U S I V E
Shaz Khan: Art reflects life. When you speak to young actors and filmmakers,
there is so much inspiration in these kids, so much work is still in the pipeline.
Now the question is who will bring these stories to light? I personally feel this
change in Pakistan will support the youth in completing the stories that live in
their minds, to bring them on the big and small screens. There is a lot of creative
energy in the country at the moment which I think will be a big help for the
industry to flourish.
Ahad Raza Mir: I think Parwaaz Hai Junoon is a very important film for the
young generation and every Pakistani in Pakistan and abroad as well should watch
it. Our PR is from news channels, not from films, unlike India. Everyone across
the world knows India through Bollywood and the face of Indian cinema, we are
yet to get there. I think all the young people should watch Parwaaz Hai Junoon, so
they can spread the message of the true face of Pakistan, which is lively, colourful
and positive, not what the news media shows.
Haseeb, TV stars are running the show in Pakistan for now, as a director, how
can you differentiate between the two mediums?
The international audience may not notice this, but Pakistanis watch both dramas
and films, so perhaps the two mediums look alike to them. Our drama industry
is cinematic, and we shoot our dramas like films. We shoot in real locations, not
sets, the technology we utilize in dramas is one that is used in films, so it is a
challenge to differentiate the two, but our point is to deliver entertaining stories
and performances.
How advanced are the CGI resources available in Pakistan?
Haseeb Hassan: At the moment, we have limited availability of CGI technology
in Pakistan, so some work of Parwaaz Hai Junoon was done in Pakistan and some
in Thailand.
Shaz, is there anything you would say the Pakistani industry has a stronger
hold on compared to what you have experienced in the States?
Pakistanis know how to get things done. Despite some disorganization in the
manners of how things are processed sometimes, the energy of the people gets it
done. It is very akin to indie cinema, it is this guerrilla affair where everything is
done on the go, and creativity is born from this madness. It’s like when things are
too organized, there is not a lot of risk, but when it’s not, a lot of creative choices
come out of it.
Ahad, you are debuting as a singer soon, is music your true calling?
Music has been a part of my life since I was a teenager. My focus went on acting
because acting is my passion, but music is something I have always done. I did my
BFA from Canada with a lot of musical theatres, played a number of instruments
like the guitar, the bass guitar, the drums, keyboards. Music has always been a
huge part of me and it is something I wish I pursued further, but fortunately or
unfortunately I have been very busy with my acting projects, so I am very lucky
that I can finally explore music through a renowned platform now.
Describe the movie in one word.
Hamza Ali Abbas: Substance
Hania Aamir: Hania
Shaz Khan: Zabardast
Ahad Raza Mir: Passionate
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