Tag: Shailja Kejriwal

  • ‘Want India and Pakistan on set together,’: Producer of Barzakh Shailja Kejriwal

    ‘Want India and Pakistan on set together,’: Producer of Barzakh Shailja Kejriwal

    Shailja Kejriwal, the chief creative officer at Zee Entertainment’s Zindagi channel, is on a mission to unite Indian and Pakistani artists and writers.
    In a recent interview with Press Trust of India, Kejriwal expressed her desire to see more collaborations between talents from both countries, despite the challenges posed by political tensions.

    Shailja Kejriwal said, “My ultimate desire, I don’t know whether it will happen or not, is that we collaborate… writers and artists from both sides should be on a set together. I am trying to follow that path. Hopefully, we will be able to do something because we flourish more if we are open and inclusive.”

    It has been a journey of one step forward, two steps back for the producer who was instrumental in making Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan, Sanam Saeed, and Mahira Khan household names in India by showcasing dramas such as Zindagi Gulzar Hai and Humsafar through the Zindagi platform launched in 2014.

    The channel Zindagi, led by Kejriwal, has successfully produced a number of projects with Pakistani actors and directors. Popular series like Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam, Churails, Mrs. & Mr. Shameem, and the new web series Barzakh starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are among the noteworthy productions. The channel has aired iconic Pakistani dramas like ‘Thakan’, Shukk, Pyarey Afzal, Meri Beti, Mere Harjai, and Main Bushra.

    Kejriwal highlighted her commitment

    “I felt my work would be incomplete if I didn’t play a role in bringing these artists back. My ambition extends beyond just pan India. My dream is to unite South Asians and Asians through collaboration,” Shailja added.

  • ‘If you find queer storylines distasteful, do not watch my content’: Asim Abbasi refuses to censor ‘Barzakh’

    ‘If you find queer storylines distasteful, do not watch my content’: Asim Abbasi refuses to censor ‘Barzakh’

    Director Asim Abbasi sent a clear message to the critics of his web series ‘Barzakh’.
    Asim Abbasi shared a picture of the show on his Instagram story, where a person replied saying, “Please don’t add more to the fire by saying he ‘chose’ Saifu. They’re asking to boycott the show, and you’re giving them more reasons to so it. Glorifying these characters in the name of art is distasteful. It was wrong churails, its wrong here.” 

     
    On which Asim Abbasi, who is also the writer of Barzakh, replied, “With all due respect, if you find queer non-heteronormative storylines distasteful please do not watch my content.”
    Fawad Khan is playing the characters Saifullah and Lorenzo. The statement comes in response to a scene in episode 3 featuring an almost kissing moment between two male characters.
     
    Asim Abbasi tagged the producers of web series with the caption on his story, “Shailja Kejriwal Waqas Ali and I will always champion rights of all, and tell stories that we believe in.”
     
    The main plot of Barzakh is to explore the mysteries of life, the afterlife, and the enduring power of love. Set in the beautiful Hunza Valley, the story follows a 76-year-old recluse who invites his estranged children and grandchildren to his remote valley resort for a special event his wedding to the ghost of his first true love.

  • ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ pair Fawad-Sanam set to romance in three projects

    ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ pair Fawad-Sanam set to romance in three projects

    Actors Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are set to be seen opposite each other in three different projects.

    The Zindagi Gulzaar Hai duo will be seen in a television commercial. Earlier, pictures of the actors from BTS (behind the scenes) were circulating on social media.

    Later, it was also reported that the two have signed the feature film Aan, directed by Haseeb Hassan.

    As per recent reports, the Humsafar star is reportedly starring in an upcoming Zee5 web series.

    Indian producer Shailja Kejriwal who has produced films like Qarib Qarib Single shared a picture of the Kapoor and Sons hero on her Instagram with the caption reading, ‘FINALLY!’ Pakistani director Mehreen Jabbar commented ‘excited for this one’ under the picture, further hinting towards the project being a Zee5 show since Jabbar has created the likes of Ek Jhooti Love Story for the same platform.

    While Saeed’s involvement in the project is yet to be confirmed, fans are already celebrating the rumours.

    The hit on-screen pair did a photoshoot for Sadaf’s clothing line recently.

    Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed are reuniting, this time for a movie - Film & TV - Images
    Sanam Saeed and Fawad Khan reunite for photo shoot | Pakistani Cinema – Gulf News
  • Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan to turn storyteller for Zee’s ‘Yaar Julahay’

    Mahira Khan is all set to be seen again on Indian screens with Yaar Julahay, a series of dramatic readings that will air on Zee Theatre.

    According to reports in the Indian media, Mahira will feature in the opening episode of the 12-part Zee Theatre series, which will be airing next week. She will be reading Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi’s classic story, Guriya.

    Guriya follows two best friends Mehra and Bano. Bano has a doll (Guriya) that resembles Mehra, but the latter doesn’t like that doll at all. With time, their fondness and hate for the doll grows. Towards the end comes an unexpected twist that unfolds the mystery around the doll.

    Yaar Julahay also brings to life stories of legendary Urdu and Hindi writers such as Gulzar, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Munshi Premchand, Amrita Pritam, Qurratulain Haider, Balwant Singh, Asad Muhammad Khan, Ghulam Abbas, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Intezar Hussain.

    Read more – Pakistanis can no longer subscribe to Zee5

    Other readers who are part of the series include Sarmad Khoosat, Sarwat Gilani, Nimra Bucha, Yasra Rizvi, Fawad Khan, Sania Saeed, Irfan Khoosat, Samiya Mumtaz, and Faisal Qureshi.

    Humsafar maker Sarmad Khoosat, who is directing as well as reading, said in a statement that the series is inspired by ‘Dastangoi‘, a tradition of creating and telling stories that defines South Asia.

    “We have interpreted Dastangoi in a contemporary way and there is also live and recorded music along with suggestive details articulating the theme of the story. For instance, when I directed Mahira Khan for Guriya, the set was strewn with dolls. They created an eerie atmosphere that augmented the narration and enhanced the mood of the reading”, he added.

    Read more – The ‘Churails’ are the superheroes we wish we had

    Chief Creative Officer Special Projects ZEE Shailja Kejriwal, while speaking about the project said: “Each episode of Yaar Julahay features the immersive reading of a remarkable story that is as unique and complex as the subcontinent we live in. Each one of the featured writers has processed reality through characters that we can still identify with.”

    “It was a joy to work on these classic tales with Kanwal and Sarmad Khoosat because we have collaborated with them before and they always approach a project with a certain artistic sensitivity and deep respect for the material they are working with. Their sensibility was needed for a project as unique as this,” she added.

    The first episode of the series featuring Mahira is expected to air on May 15, 2021.

  • Haseeb Hasan shares first teaser of Ahad, Sajal’s ‘Dhoop Ki Deewar’

    Haseeb Hasan shares first teaser of Ahad, Sajal’s ‘Dhoop Ki Deewar’

    Haseeb Hasan has shared the first teaser of the most anticipated upcoming web series Dhoop Ki Deewar.

    Wishing Ahad Raza Mir and Sajal Aly a happy first wedding anniversary, the award-winning director shared the first teaser of the web series and wrote: “Always make each other smile! Happy Anniversary Ahad and Sajal.”

    “Cherishing my favourite moment of Vishal – Sara from Dhoop Ki Deewar on this day,” he added.

    In the video, Ahad (Vishal) can be seen singing a song for Sajal, who is playing Sara in the series.

    “Sara don’t be mad warna India and Pakistan will very sad… Sara Sara Sara….”

    Earlier, Shailja Kejriwal, who is producing the web series shared pictures of the actors from the sets of the series.

    As per details, the series follows the story of two teenagers whose lives change forever overnight.

    Besides Sajal and Ahad, other actors who play key roles in the series include Adnan Jaffer, Zara Tareen, Paras Masroor, Hammad Siddiqui, Ainy Zaidi, Salma Hasan, Lubna Aslam, Raza Talish, Samiya Mumtaz and Zaib Rehman.

    Written by Umera Ahmad, Dhoop Ki Deewar is directed and co-produced by Hassan under the banner of Hamdan Films along with Shailja. Haseeb is one of the leading directors in the industry with popular drama serials including Nanhi, Mann Mayal as well as feature film Parwaaz Hai Junoon to his credit.

    Earlier, while speaking to The Current, Haseeb had shared his experience of shooting the series, saying that he had total creative liberty with the project.

    “It had creative input but I enjoyed total liberty which was becoming a challenge in the [local] industry each passing day,” said Hassan. “Indeed there were better budgets which justified enabling to achieve the required product and standards,” adding that the budget was “not crazy enough to buy an aeroplane”.

    Read more – Pakistanis can no longer subscribe to Zee5

    The series is expected to stream on Indian media platform Zee5. A release date has not been announced yet.