It’s still chilly out here in Lahore, but a morning chat with seasoned actress, writer, director and activist Nandita Das from across the border promised to invigorate.

Das was in Lahore for a screening of her cineplay Between the Lines on Tuesday. The cineplay was screened for a select audience at The OLO Junction, and before that she had a chat with media at a press meet.

Dressed in a bright red and orange khaddar kurta pyjama and speaking fluent Urdu, Das exuded affability and creativity — but she was also very modest.

Nandita Das with Sania Saeed in Lahore. — Photo courtesy author

Recalling the year 2012, when she was heading a film society for children and also working as a columnist, she stated that it dawned on her that working women juggle too many responsibilities.

"I decided to write a play on the many roles that a woman plays at one time; it's all about multitasking," explained Das.

"My husband, who originally hailed from the corporate world, also got interested in acting when I wrote the cineplay. We formed a production company and did many shows across India when my husband suggested filming the play. We did it as an experiment and shot it in a cinematic way, the way a shoot works with cuts, retakes and costumes. One can observe new content emerging out of this hybrid genre," she added.

Das with he husband, Subodh Maskara. — Photo courtesy: ibnlive.in.com

Das also talked about Kanwal Khoosat’s documentary Teesri Dhun, which opens at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore on 19th March. Teesri Dhun is about the struggles transgendered persons face as theu negotiate a third space in society. Das said she intended to collaborate with Khoosat, who produced Teesri Dhun.

She shared: "It is an interesting subject and I have come to see if it can be converted into a cineplay. In this way, the limitations of watching a theatre play will also be overcome and people across the globe can watch it with just a click of a button."

What makes Das stand tall amongst her contemporaries is her sheer commitment to advocacy for social service. Das remains unfazed when people mostly refer to her as an outspoken activist: "Art cannot bring a revolution but it enters into our minds softly and steadily and changes our perceptions."

Das also talked about future projects, saying: "I’m currently working on a project based on Manto which will definitely bring the countries [India and Pakistan] together."

While talking exclusively to Dawn.com, Das revealed that cineplays will immortalise theatre.

"There are so many great plays that have come and gone into oblivion. We have missed them completely as they have not been documented so the importance of this cineplay is also archiving and making it more accessible."

Seasoned actress Sania Saeed, who joined the conversation later, said she hoped to work with Das on projects but cites certain practical problems that are "always in the way to hinder such joint ventures".

"It’s always great when one thinks of such alliances and it would be just fantastic working with her. One day, I hope," she said on a parting note.

Rubia Moghees is a freelance journalist based in Lahore and writes about fashion and lifestyle.