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Mehreen Jabbar's short film Lala Begum to debut at Zee TV's unity initiative in India

Mehreen Jabbar's short film Lala Begum to debut at Zee TV's unity initiative in India

Titled Zeal For Unity, the initiative sees six Pakistani film directors introduce hour-long works to an Indian audience
09 Feb, 2016

Before Mehreen Jabbar began work on her sophomore feature film Dobara Phir Se, she had quietly begun work on a short film titled Lala Begum. It was said to star Marina Khan, Sonia Rahman and Humayun Saeed, Syed Mohammed Ahmed was writing its script, and the film was intended to screen at a short film festival organised by Zee TV. Interest was piqued, but Mehreen kept mum about the project - until now.

In a conversation with Images, Mehreen describes Lala Begum as a family drama, but not the kind we're tired of seeing on TV.

" [Lala Begum] is a story of two estranged sisters who meet after a long time," Mehreen tells us, and we're immediately relieved that the film focuses on familial relationships outside the context of marriage and its trappings.

Sonya Rehman, Humayun Saeed and Marina Khan in scenes from Lala Begum
Sonya Rehman, Humayun Saeed and Marina Khan in scenes from Lala Begum

"I was asked by Ms Shailja Kejriwal and Mr Vikas Sharma from Zee Zindagi to be part of [the Zeal for Unity venture]," Mehreen shares about her participation. "Actually Ahmed saab had written this as a short 40-minute film which I was going to work on with Marina and Sonia but when the opportunity with Zee came along, we felt that this would be an ideal film to showcase there."

The official poster of Lala Begum
The official poster of Lala Begum

Despite the ennui surrounding cultural endeavours for Pak-India peace, Mehreen still believes that films can help our neighbours get to know us better.

"Cultural exchange is one of the strongest and most effective ways of promoting understanding and respect while learning from what we can offer each other. I think this is an amazing venture and probably it's the first time that such an initiative has been organized," Mehreen said.

The Zeal for Unity initiative will see 12 directors from Pakistan and India screen their short films in film festivals across India, reports Mumbai Mirror.

Comments

Just here Feb 09, 2016 01:41pm
Pakistan does not share anything with India anymore, so what's up with this unity films from bollywood and Pakistan. Pakistanis obviously consider theirselves superior than indians!
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wellwisher Feb 09, 2016 01:43pm
Zee is expert in making money.Pakistani movie/drama goes well with muslim and migrants from Pakistan.
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Ahmad Feb 09, 2016 02:45pm
Great. Eagerly looking forward to watch this telefilm.
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Muhammad Ayub khan Feb 09, 2016 02:55pm
wish you Good Luck Mahreen Jabbar . you are a talented emerging film director . you have done a great job for promoting and understanding each others culture and developing understanding in between two neighbor counties for peace and friendship. Hope yours creative work would be appreciated in the public very much.
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Muhammad Ayub khan Feb 09, 2016 02:57pm
Mahreen jabbar is a talented emerging Film Director . Hope her creative Art and direction work would be Appreciated very much .
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Faisal Feb 09, 2016 03:06pm
Thankyou Zee for showcasing Pakistan's talent, last but not the least thankyou India.
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Omar Feb 09, 2016 03:34pm
Always a pleasure to hear about Marina Khan's works.
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Usher Feb 09, 2016 04:45pm
Marina look's so graceful, Why the fate of flower is to fade away?
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hellboy Feb 09, 2016 07:27pm
whatever positive side you have but negative image dwarf your positiveness.
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S.A.M. Feb 09, 2016 08:22pm
I disagree with those that consider Ms Jabbar as an emerging director or producer for she already has established herself as one that produces high quality stuff and certainly no nonsense. all the best to her
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SA Chandio Feb 09, 2016 10:56pm
The Mehreen Jabbar.
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a Feb 10, 2016 01:39am
Wow !! I cannot wait ...
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Sanjay bisht Feb 10, 2016 06:57am
Zee zindgi is third least popular channel in India as per trp ratings
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