PESHAWAR: PTV Peshawar centre has recently got the project of an Urdu serial play ‘Gul-i-Sang’ after a break of seven years where local actors would get an opportunity to reappear on mini-screen.

According to a PTV official, the equipment had gathered dust while local talent was being wasted and even local work had been affected owing to the worst law and order situation in the region.

The official while claiming anonymity added that PTV had updated its paraphernalia in accordance with modern technical needs. Local performers would also get a chance to display their talent and once again quench thirst of their fans with their performance. Senior actors, writers and viewers have hailed the decision and said it would give a new colour to the local culture at national level.

Written by Aziz Ejaz, former PTV producer and noted Urdu poet, the play revolves round a typical Pashtun society where social taboos clashed with so-called social values. Its cast includes Ghulam Mohiyuddin, Shazma Haleem, Shaamil Khan, Saima Salim, Najeebullah Anjum, Tariq Jamal and others.

A 50-minute Urdu play comprising 13 episodes was an interesting story portraying a true picture of the society reeling under the force of social taboos, Mr Ejaz said. He said that his play would send out a message that Pakhtuns were peaceful and wanted a terror-free society. “I believe, the script would prove strength of the play while actors are also doing their best,” he said.

Senior TV actor and chief of ‘Awaaz’, an artistes’ organisation, said that local artistes were depressed and disheartened as they had not been getting a worthwhile project at national level on television for long. He said that the participation of outstation artistes would also encourage local actors to work with them and would get a first-hand experience at a network play. “PTV is home to many artistes. Working with it gives us a spiritual pleasure and also a widespread public respect. Our guest-performers feel honoured to act in a play to be aired from Peshawar station,” he remarked.

Senior actor Ghulam Mohiyuddin told this scribe that he found people of Peshawar very friendly and hospitable. He said that during the shoot of the play at various locations he didn’t feel any fear. He said that artistes should be given opportunities to share their experiences through mutual projects.

“My role in the play gave me a fine knowledge and an insight into the chemistry of a typical Pashtun society and its social dynamics. Such projects can prove a ray of hope to raise issues of the masses on a large scale,” he stated.

Sharing her experience, Saima Salim said that she could equate the quality of work being done in Peshawar with that of Lahore and even Karachi. She said that coming to Peshawar for doing a project was no more than a big challenge for her and her family. She said that co-workers had boosted her morale and instilled confidence to overcome the situation.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2017