‘ For an ensemble piece it ’ s vital that all the cast members bond together and we got very lucky with this bunch because they were a riot to work with ’ - Mehreen
should continue . We should not only want one kind of film , whether it ’ s a rom com , or a buddy film or terrorism based . There is enough demand for variety and we must not discourage innovative and experimental work .
In terms of directors and producers , how can women be more involved in storytelling in Pakistan ?
Women who are in the position of being directors , producers or writers can affect the content on how women are portrayed in films and TV and not perpetuate the same old predictable story . We have a moral responsibility as what we put out there is seen by thousands of people who will be affected by it , either negatively or positively . Enough of ‘ rape serials ’, ‘ bad mother in law ’ s ’, obsession with marriage and mistress stories and enough of throwing the ‘ ratings ’ excuse each time someone wants to try something unique . If you give people different kinds of content , they will respond . One can create audiences as well instead of always pandering to what ‘ sells ’.
What sort of diversity can be improved or given more attention to across our industry ?
I think inclusion of minorities , positive role models of women who are housewives or working women , exploring themes that are not just household issue based will add that much needed diversity on television as well as cinema .
The ensemble cast is a heavy hitter ’ s line up of Pakistan ’ s most in demand talent , what was the casting process like ?
For an ensemble piece it ’ s vital that all the cast members bond together and we got very lucky with this bunch because they were a riot to work with . All of them , while being thorough professionals and dedicated to the project also brought in so much good energy and positivity .
Did you meet some of your cast for the first time on this project ?
Actually Hareem and I had never met in person till she reached New York ! We had skyped a lot and had many phone conversations about work , but this was the first time in my life that I had never met one of the main characters of my project . There is also a child actor Musa Ahmed , a Pakistani-American and who had never acted before , I met him for the first time while casting for the film in the US .
Where did you primarily shoot and how did that influence the performance of the actors ?
The film was shot in New York and Karachi and was an eclectic mix of US and Pakistani crew , some very experienced , some doing a film for the first time . We had an insanely tight schedule and I have to congratulate the entire team that they somehow made it happen . We shot in the US in August and in Pakistan in January , so got the best weather in both parts which I think inspired all of us a little more !. I think of sets as wedding planning , a lot of people bound together to get something of worth out there and between the tears of joy and exhaustion , lifelong memories are made .
As a producer and director for you what is the recipe for a great film ?
Integrity . Hard work . No short cuts . Passion . Luck .
Director Mehreen Jabbar in Mehreen & Menahyl separates and Prerto earrings
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