Planet Lollywood: 2011-07-24

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Reema: A conversation with Lollywood’s Golden Girl

KARACHI:

Referred to by many as Pakistan’s Aishwarya Rai and Lollywood’s Golden Girl, Reema Khan shares her experiences in the industry and her upcoming plans. A talented actor who has featured in over 200 films, Reema debuted as a director and producer with the award winning movie Koi Tujh Sa Kahan in 2005.

Now, after a gap of six years, she is back in the business with Love Mein Ghum, an upcoming Lollywood film, which will be directed and produced by Reema herself, who won best actor and director at the 2006 Lux Style Awards.

Talking about Love Mein Ghum, which has a potpourri of stars in the title track, Reema said, “Getting so many big stars together was a difficult task, but I really wanted it and when I am up for something, I just don’t let it go out of my hands.”

Reminiscing about the past when she first stepped into the world of films as a 13-year-old, with her debut movie Bulandi, Reema says she had to face a lot of harsh criticism before she could finally stamp her authority in the industry. “I had to put up with immense criticism from all sides, but two things helped me and made me what I am today. Firstly, my looks — my skin and hair — and secondly, my confidence went a long way.”

Recalling her struggles in the initial days, Reema feels she has not only evolved as an actor but has also learnt how to live through hardships. “I was a nobody without any connections or contacts in the industry. To be honest, I didn’t know what to say, how to speak, or how to even dance. The Lollywood stars of those days would often shun me, saying ‘Look, she is a small girl and will not be seen for long.’ But I stood where I was and worked my way up.”

However, the optimistic star also had bouts of uncertainty, as a result of which she decided to be selective with her films. “What Lollywood was offering was routine scripts and pathetic songs. I don’t compromise on work, on decency or on grace! Hence, I decided to do my own film, Koi Tujh Sa Kahan.”

With that attitude and work ethic, Reema has reached great heights of success. Not only is she a known film actor, director-producer, anchor, stage performer, she is also a columnist for Urdu newspaper,Khabrain. “I’ve been writing for the paper for the past six years and I discuss different issues.”

I’m still struggling for survival of Industry: Syed Noor

Film director Syed Noor, credited for revitalising Lollywood in the mid-90s, shares his opinion on the reasons behind the decline of the film industry and how he plans to reverse the situation. Noor, known for making issue-based films, has been praised for making some of Lollywood’s biggest hits, such as Choorian, Jeeva, Ghoonghat and Deewane Tere Pyar Ke.

Pakistan’s film industry is struggling, what are you doing to revive it?

I’m still struggling for the survival of the industry. Lollywood has given me so much, how can I not support it. The talent hunt show “Hero Bannay Ki Tarang” is one of the projects aimed to revive Pakistani film industry. Previously, not much thought went into the idea of rejuvenating the industry. Hopefully, this television show will bring new talent to light.

Additionally, I am opening an academy by the name of Paragon Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA). It will, hopefully, start functioning from September or October, this year. I also plan on doing experimental films in Karachi and my next production will be in the city.

Although there is no dearth of actors in Pakistan, why is it that we don’t see films like Jeeva and Ghoonghat?

Lollywood’s decline began 25 years ago. Currently, it lacks funding and support from the government. Add political issues and a dearth of technical facilities to this and you will have some of the factors which have contributed to the decline. The boom of Bollywood in Pakistan has also exacerbated the situation.

I believe both individuals and corporate entities should support the local film industry. Lollywood should also be promoted on television, in the same way that Bollywood is being promoted today. It’s a shame that the cinemas prefer screening Indian films instead of Lollywood films. This is the result of a mindset that everything about Lollywood is rubbish; this attitude has to be changed. We need to establish academies where actors, directors and writers can be groomed.

You chose to feature Saima in many of your films, why is that?

As an actor, Saima is pure genius. She is the best performer in the industry and ensures that she is professional in her work. For a director, it’s important to get the best actor in town. If, she hadn’t been what she is, I wouldn’t have relied on her.

You are opening a film street in Lahore, what is the aim of this project?

A film street is in the pipeline, which will be located at a locality that is the main domain of film stars. The film street will pay tribute to stars of by-gone days like Om Parkash, who was initially settled in this city before leaving for India post-independence. So there will be old memories, a food street, posters all around the place and a cinema where old films will be screened.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Is Fatima being compaired to Bol ?

With all the excitement about the imminent release of Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol, the industry is now abuzz with news of Award Winning Producer/Director Sean Ali’s Fatima.

Fatima is a women revolving story which captivates and shows how a women is suppressed in the society. The film is being produced by Universal Dream Pictures (UDP), Written by Michael Ray & Directed by Sean Ali.

The Film is starring Farhan Aly Agha, Ayesha Riyasat Khan and for the first Nazia Malik is acting the role of Fatima. Recently The main role Nazia Malik somehow isnt available at the dates of the shooting which she might not do the role anymore, Director Sean Ali has decided to replace Nazia Malik and to go for other actor for the character of Fatima, but the question is WHO?

Ali was always interested in the Women issues being faced in Pakistan for which he decided to go in history to make a movie of Fatima Jinnah sister of Mohammed Ali Jinnah who played a vital role in politics during the independence in 1947. Having the idea of Fatima Jinnah being the inspiration for all the women in Pakistan, Ali decided to portray Fatima in modern-day version in 2012.

In recent events, The release of Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol has made a coincidence with the movie Fatima being similar by highlighting the issues of women rights in Pakistan. All this issues of similarity between both movies have ruined the hype of Sean Ali’s Fatima, yet Sean Ali is being honored for his film to be compared with the movie Bol. Further more he stated the movie Fatima would hit the theaters.

E! News (Date:-28 July 2011)

E! News (Daily Updates)

Date:- 28 July 2011

Love Mein Ghum is surely one of those upcoming Pakistani films that people have some real hopes attached with that it will mark the start of a new era in Pakistani cinema. With a confirmed Eid-ul-Fitar Release all across Pakistan, Love Mein Ghum is now getting unfolded day by day and hopefully a proper television marketing of the film will also start soon.

The latest from the movie is that now Pakistani corporate giant LUX has stepped forward and has attached itself with the movie as its presenting sponsor.

This is surely something great to hear as Pakistan film industry badly needed such corporate giants to get linked with the film making business here, so that a much needed injection of finance in the industry can be done to bring it to the level of international film making business.

Lux has a history when it comes to its attachment with Pakistani entertainment industry. They have given us ‘Lux Style Awards’, that is considered as one of the biggest private entertainment awards in Pakistan. The brand was also initially attached with Shaan Shahid’s forthcoming directorial venture Chup, but they then pulled themselves out of the project leaving Shaan criticizing them for the delay of the movie. The brand also presented Katrina-Akshay starrerTees Maar Khan. And apart from all that, many Pakistani entertainment stars like Reema herself, Meera, Iman Ali, Shaan Shahid, Ali Zafar, Amna Haq, Humaima Malick and Mahira Khan have been part of the brand as its ambassadors in past and in fact some of them can still be seen in brand’s current 1000 gold coin ad campaign.

Announcing this partnership at the press conference, Reema said, “I am delighted that LUX made this wonderful move to support my film. LUX continues to be the soap of the stars and as the brand I am most associated with, I am thrilled that everyone gets a chance to see previews before it gets to cinemas over Eid. We’ve enjoyed making the film and hope you’ll love it too.”

Sabeen Fazli, the ‘marketing director skin’ at Lux, also spoke to the media and said, “ LUX’s association with cinema is undisputed and we are delighted to be able to take this forward by associating with Reema’s Love Mein Ghum.”

A large number of media personalities and showbiz stars including Nadeem Baig, Ali Saleem, Saqib Malik, Jaan Rambo and Sahiba attended this press gathering at a local hotel in Karachi, unveiling the promos and sponsorship of Lux for the movie.