KARACHI: We have made a patriotic film as could be guessed from its title Azadi (independence). Azadi is not just to do with 1947, but even today we need freedom from many inhibitions which exist in society.

This was said by Anjum Chandna, the director and producer of the upcoming film on the occasion of the release of the first song from the project’s original soundtrack called ‘Markhor’ at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday.

Ms Chandna said she was an independent filmmaker and had no sponsor as yet. She said the characters in her movie were fictional and the story was ‘youth-oriented’ and ‘motivational’. She said the film was full of entertainment. Giving the reason for releasing the song on the eve of Independence Day, she said her team’s contribution to the jashn-i-azadi. She said the film had faced funding issues because a majority of those involved in the project were not aware of the ‘lobby system’. She emphasised that we needed freedom from that issue as well. She said her team members through their hard work had expressed their desire to passionately and honestly work for Pakistan.

Composer and singer of the song Nigel Bobby said he had known his colleagues for the last one and half years. He said the film’s story could prove to be inspirational for the youth. He said when he was briefed about the venture he developed a great deal of interest in it. He said the song was emotional.

Rahil Mirza, who has arranged the music of the song with Nigel Bobby, said the aim of the track was to make the youth understand the importance of independence.

Arttaghral Chaudhry, who’s playing the lead character in the film, said it was his first appearance on the big screen. Before that, he said, he had worked in television projects a bit which enabled him to understand how the camera worked. He said whatever he had done so far was appreciated by the director of the film and his teammates. He said he was hopeful that the message that the movie had would be conveyed to the audience.

Another actor, Shakil Hussain Khan, said he had acted in three films but in Azadi he was doing a romantic character. He said the film was shot during and before Ramazan.

The writer of Azadi and lyricist of its songs, Wasif Burney, said he and Ms Chandna had been talking to different production houses to discuss their project, but their response was not encouraging, so the team decided to do it on its own. He said when he first wrote the script he penned it as ‘commercial art’ and there were no songs in it. But, he said, as per Ms Chandna’s suggestion, he included the songs. He said the song being released was called ‘Markhor’ because it was Pakistan’s national animal.

Ms Chandna said if only three people were able to get the film’s idea, she would consider herself a successful director. Replying to a question she said 70 per cent work on the project was complete. Before the questions and answers session, the song was shown to the media.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016