She grew up watching the films of Bollywood’s ethereal beauty Madhubala, has enjoyed new wave Indian films such as Parineeta and Barfi!, and loves to catch up on Comedy Nights With Kapil. But Samina Peerzada, a veteran actor-filmmaker from Pakistan, says exchange of content between Pakistan and India has been “long-awaited” and will help find a connect.
“I think it has been long-awaited — this exchange of content from Pakistan to India. We’re glad that viewers in India will now hear the voice of Pakistan, will have a face to our country, see our lives, feel our emotions, issues and see our commonalities through our shows,” the 59-year-old said over phone from Lahore.
Indian shows have for long been lapped up in Pakistan — but viewers had to rely on pirated recordings.
The internet opened the gates and allowed people to access Pakistani shows via online video-sharing platform YouTube.
But Zindagi TV — Jodey Dilon Ke, a new offering from Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), is now taking stories from across the border to Indian viewers by treating them with some of Pakistan’s best shows.
With Zindagi Gulzar Hai, Peerzada has already found a fan following and one of her old shows, Noorpur Ki Rani, an adaptation of the English novel Rebecca, was telecast on the channel starting Monday.
Celebrating cultures
“It’s wonderful how, through art, dance and music, people across the world have learnt to celebrate each other’s cultures.
“Through Zindagi channel, we’re excited to showcase Pakistan’s stories to India. It’s a positive change,” added Peerzada, who was born into a Muslim family in Lahore, and had to convince her parents to let her pursue her passion for acting.
She started her career in 1976 with Nazdikiyan, following which she featured in Bazaare Husn and Khawahish.
She has also done theatre and gone behind the camera for films such as Inteha and Shararat, apart from working in TV shows.
Now she is hoping to plan a co-production with an Indian producer for some “great storytelling”.
“I hope India gets to sample the new wave of cinema in Pakistan. Our hope is that when you release your films in India, a Pakistani film gets a simultaneous release,” she said, pointing out the positive response that films such as Khuda Kay Liye and Bol from her nation received at the Indian box office.
Peerzada says she’s been visiting India since 1979 and has witnessed its economic, political and cultural development.
Friends across the border
“There are some wonderful people, and I have some great friends in Mumbai, from Bollywood, and then I have some friends in Delhi and Kolkata. I love visiting them,” she said, adding that she’s looking forward to coming back to India in August for a brief visit.
She believes “things will be different now”, courtesy Zindagi channel. “I think it will open new avenues for artists and talent, as well as facilitate more interaction and sharing of ideas between the two countries,” said the actress, who is willing to face the cameras as she is “free”.
“I can travel anywhere in the world to act. And India? Absolutely,” she said.
When she comes to India — there are two people whom she wants to meet — Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit and star stand-up comedian Kapil Sharma.
“Madhuri is so pretty and she dances so beautifully. I want to meet her when I come down this time, and Kapil for sure. When I come back home after a hard day at work, I unwind with Kapil’s show. It brings me back to life.”
