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Tete-a-tete
with
Samina Peerzada… |
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Television,
theatre and film actress, producer and director, and
more recently, television anchor, Samina Peerzada
ranks today among the most graceful show-biz personalities
our country can boast of. She is also one of the most
dignified, well-informed and culturally aware person
in her field, and is ever ready to spare time to bring
about a social change. Social Pages has a heart-to-heart
with her. |
Q: You moved to Karachi
because you wanted to make a film here. Have you made any
headway toward that end?
A: Actually, I hadn’t found a writer till now and
the base of any movie, as you know, is its writer. Instead
I started acting, so that I could become familiar with the
different styles of scriptwrights that are available and
also gauge how they would be able to interact with me –
as I am not the easiest person to work with. After ‘Shararath’
I’ve decided that unless I am hundred per cent sure
of my script, there is no point of working.
Q: And did you find anyone?
A: Yes, finally, after doing a full circle, I found the
person who understands me fully and whom I understand -
Noor-ul-Huda Shah. I’ve seen other people’s
work also and feel she is the woman for me, and there’s
nobody better than her for the story I have with me. Through
my entire career there have been only two people whose work
has touched my heart -- Dr Dennis Isaac and Noor-ul-Huda
Shah. Their dialogues are so powerful that you are ready
to emote. Their writing penetrates the soul.
After Dr Isaac left for Canada my team
broke up. I really miss the man and my creative process
came to a halt with his departure. But, now in Noor-ul-Huda
I’ve found someone who understands me completely.
Q: So, have you selected
the cast, etc?
A: I have, but if I make the film with India, then the
cast will change. I’ve met with a lot of people
and realize there’s plenty of money, but my script
has to be ready before I decide on the financier.
Q: Tell us a little about
the story of your forthcoming film.
A: I think I can’t do light films. I am a dramatic
person and feel for issues, so I’ve decided not
to deviate from my mind-set. I have a very sweet story
– a very different kind of love story, but haven’t
found a writer for it as yet. This one is a strange kind
of love story, based on a true experience. I want to make
sure that this time round there is no producer to interfere
with my story and change it, the way ‘Shararath’
was changed in Lahore, which was also based on a true
story. Do you know the original plot of ‘Shararath’
revolved around a ‘desi’ girl settled in the
US, who is in love with a black American and whose family
packs her off here, where she meets a country boy and
gets involved with him. And look what they did to the
story-line!
Q: Why did you agree to
the changes?
A: When you are agreeing to the changes, you don’t
realize what you are doing to the story. You keep making
compromises until the end product becomes something totally
different. I was fighting so many battles at the time
that by the end of it, I even forgot what the original
story was! I refuse to let that happen to me again, now
that I have moved here to make my film.
Q: Isn’t it difficult
to be on your own, while your family is in Lahore, just
to make a movie?
A: Initially, it was tough, but I needed to do this. My
younger daughter put me on this path because she saw I
was not happy in the Lahore film industry and she knew
that it was not what I wanted to do. Both my daughters
felt that it was better to have a happy mom than a sad
one who is of no use to anyone. And, I didn’t fight
it because I realized where my creative energy was taking
me. I think I needed to erase a lot of things and heal
and get back to being who I am. I feel now that nature
has paved my future path with love and has brought me
back to acting in order to make my mark again, before
making a movie. It’s like going back in time. I
am in no hurry – I don’t wish to make a hundred
films. At the most I’ll make four films.
Q: Moving away from films,
we met a day before the Lux Style Awards and you were very
excited about it. However, your entire attitude to the show
changed after the rehearsal. Why?
A: Because I realized then that there was nothing Pakistani
in it. Admittedly, there were glitches in the first two
shows too, and last minute hiccups, but this show was not
at all representative of our culture. Our history goes back
to Moenjodaro and Taxila and none of that was portrayed.
There were so many segments missing, and what they did project
was not history. Taj Mahal’s raison d’etre was
love and not Shah Jehan’s wife’s ‘akhri
mujra’ as depicted in the show. Also, I was put off
by the promotion poster which showed Sonu Nigam in the centre
and our bevy of female stars flocking around him. I feel
there should have either been a Pakistani director to the
show rather than Indian, or maybe, both.
We basically lost out because the director was Indian
who simply couldn’t project our look, culture and
history. Our women are renowned for their grace, ‘ada’
and beauty, but that grace couldn’t come through.
So, while I concede that the basic desire to go international
was right, I feel the organizers failed with the concept.
And, the final nail in the coffin was that there was no
audience!
Q: How do you feel your show - “Heart to
Heart with Samina Peerzada” – is different
from most talk shows?
A: I hope I have been able to create a certain ambience.
The set and lighting is unique and the way I talk to people
is different. The concept is very interesting –
to discuss those subjects that have not been broached
earlier and to touch people’s souls. I hope that
what I’m trying to achieve comes through.
Q: So are you enjoying playing the role of an
anchor?
A: This show has done a lot of good for me. I’ve
been hiding behind all the people I have been playing
and needed to do this show for myself. The show is ME
– it reflects my persona, questions and energy.
My confidence had been shattered after ‘Shararath’
and it’s been a confidence-building process for
me. I feel rejuvenated, although I have put myself up
again for criticism.
Q: What are your future plans?
A: To develop my script and limit my acting on TV as I
won’t be able to give it much time, although I plan
to continue with the show if it is successful. However,
I do plan to give theatre acting, production and direction
time and have been invited by festivals abroad, including
Norway and India. Shabana Azmi wants me to come with a
play in December. So God has a lot of things in store
for me and I hope to keep delivering.
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