KARACHI, Oct 25: Veteran artists demanded on Friday that a film industry be set up in Karachi, whose performers are no less talented than those of Lahore.
Speaking at a function organized by the Pakistan TV and Film Journalists Association, artist Javed Shaikh said that a large number of performers working at the film industry in Lahore were already from Karachi. “If we had a film industry in Karachi, I am sure that we would be able to produce different types of movies. Besides, there are as beautiful locations in this city as are in Lahore. That is why the producers will have no problem in shooting.”
The function was held to mark the launching of a TV serial in which Nadeem, Meera, Javed Shaikh and Moin Akhter will perform.
Leading star of Punjabi movies Mustafa Qureishi observed that as a rule TV artists who tried their luck in films did not become successful. “It is actually the other way around. When film artists perform in TV dramas their adventure is greeted by success.”
He, however, admitted that acting on TV was difficult and more demanding than performance in films. He added that film artists were increasingly taking part in TV dramas. “In this way, TV has been instrumental in bringing artists to Karachi.”
He also urged the movers and shakers of the film industry to move to Karachi “which has a lot of talent and money”.
Syed Kamal, who recently lost elections, recalled what a popular film star had said about TV. “Twenty-five years ago I used to interview film artists and others at a TV show called Kamal Show. Performers such as Waheed Murad came on my show. When I approached the Punjabi film artist, Sawan, he spurned my interview request saying that it was beneath his dignity to appear on TV,” he said. He added that TV had so profoundly outperformed films that now a far greater number of people watched TV than films.
Veteran comedian Moin Akhter demanded that more light-hearted movies be made “because this nation badly wants entertainment stuff”. He added that the last comedy movie spell had started with Omar Sharif “but some more comedy films should be produced”.
Wearing a sky-blue sari, Meera said the TV play was an experiment which she was undertaking simply because it was giving her an opportunity to work with two legendary stars: Javed Shaikh and Nadeem.
Veteran actor Nadeem said the innovative aspect of the play was that it contained 13 songs — one for each episode. “In this sense, this play is a daunting as well as bold venture. It is very difficult for a TV producer to work with so many stars.”
Ather Javed Sufi and Adil Ibrahim of the Pakistan TV and Film, Khalid Shamsi and Abdul Rauf Tabani also spoke.