LAHORE: Veteran film actress Shabnam says that in the prevailing grim situation in the country, the industry needs to make comedy movies as they were in great demand.

Talking to Dawn by phone from Dhaka, Bangladesh, she said: “I think a good script is the essence of a good movie and Pakistan is producing excellent movies. A recent example of this is The Legend of Muala Jutt”.

She said Pakistani people still loved her and watched her films, for which she would always remain indebted to them. When asked about her plans to work in any upcoming Pakistani movie, Shabnam said, “I haven’t been offered any role yet, and the other thing is that age factor is also there. I have turned 76 and have to take care of my health as well, being my top priority.”

To a question that when she last performed in a movie, she said her last movie was a Bengali film ‘Ama Jaan’, screened back in 1999, that was a roaring success at the box office and people in Bangladesh still remember it.

“I worked for around 30 years in the Pakistan film industry and how can I forget movies such as Dil Lagi, Doorian, Bandish, Aaina, Lazawaal”. “When Dil Lagi was being produced, both me and Nadeem Sahib were of the view that the movie might not click at the box office. However, it did a great business,”she said.

Reminiscing about her heydays in the Pakistani film industry, she said those were peaceful times. “Now things are changing with time, so is the film industry and it is so allover the world,” she added.

“Whenever I get a chance, I watch my old movies on YouTube,“ said the 70s silver screen queen.

Asked about her most favourite songs from her films, Shabnam said though there were many heart-touching melodies filmed on her, some of the songs which she still found close to her heart include Mujhay Dil Say Na Bhulana, Hamay Kho Ker Bauhat Pashtao Gay and Hina Ki Khushboo Mehak Rahi Hai.

Mentioning Pakistani TV actresses Shehnaz Sheikh and Roohi Bano among her favourites, she said they were marvelous performers and their acting was spontaneous and effortless. “I would always love to visit Pakistan, it’s a place where I spent 30 years of my life and its people gave me so much love and respect,” she said.

“To me, artistes are not bound by any boundaries, what matters is their performance and the craft.”

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2023