Zindagi Tamasha does not consist of a star-studded cast, like some of the upcoming films scheduled to release later this year, but due to its sensitive subject and the treatment given by Sarmad Khoosat as director, it may well be the most important of the year. We are rapidly becoming a country that is inching towards myopic conservatism and preconceived ‘social’ values that are thrust upon people. In such a climate, Zindagi Tamasha and its subject is refreshing to say the least.
Meet/Greet
During the press conference, the Zindagi Tamasha trailer was shown followed by the premiere of the title track, ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’ (more on it later). Sitting in Karachi, we tuned into the live session, streamed on all Khoosat Films’ properties.
For the session, Sarmad Khoosat (director) was present along with actors Samiya Mumtaz, Ali Qureshi, Eman Suleman with Nirmal Bano (writer) and Ahmed Shah (Art Director) also present. Arif Hasan, the lead cast member, was unable to join because he was in Karachi, stated Sarmad.
Once Sarmad had introduced the cast and crew, veteran actress Samiya Mumtaz, cast in a prominent role, expressed how nervous she was before the film’s release. “The work was done according to what one understood; but until it doesn’t come before the world, there is a sense of fear,” she smiled.
Eman Suleman, who makes her big screen debut with the film, spoke about how the film will be liked by the audience.
Ali Qureshi, who makes his transition from modeling to film with Zindagi Tamasha, thanked Sarmad Khoosat for taking a chance on him.
According to Nirmal Bano, it took two years to write the film. Answering a question about why she chose to write on this particular subject, Nirmal Bano noted, “This is what we wanted to say…”
When asked about the trend of movies that emerged in 2019 and whether Zindagi Tamasha, as the first film of 2020, would be able to break the mould with the theme behind it, Sarmad noted: “God is not a fan of arrogance. Whether it can break any mould, the future will tell. You will decide; making a film is our responsibility; watching the film is yours but it can be said that the film has been made with clean intentions, and tells a story sensitively.”
When asked if Zindagi Tamasha will be different than most films released in 2019, Eman Mahmud nodded in the affirmative while Samiya Mumtaz answered that it will be different. “The habit is that this is a film: this is the start, this is the middle and this is the end; there’s no such thing in this film. The reason there is excitement is because you can’t predict what happens next within the framework of the film.”
Speaking about the festival circuit, Sarmad nodded that while that is something to be considered, his biggest desire was for this film to be screened in Pakistan. “The issues being talked about are our issues,” he said. “Going to festivals and getting it to that target audience and to tell globally what Pakistani cinema is capable of is a goal.” He then counted the festivals the film has participated in and some that the film could be participating in the future.
As for hosting premieres, Sarmad noted that he has a slight issue with premieres as he feels everyone should buy a ticket. “There is no brand placement or corporate funding in Zindagi Tamasha. There is no money transaction. So, it is important to not wait for a premiere but watch the film on a ticket instead.”
Sarmad recounted how he has received calls from Quetta and should he host a premiere, it will be in Quetta.
When cheekily asked that promoting a film is akin to prepping for a wedding and so what plans did Zindagi Tamasha team have, Samiya Mumtaz answered: “There are distinct-genre films in which glamour is sold, and that has a mission, which is you follow that lifestyle or try to copy it and it’s a way of throwing a veil on matters. Our film, Zindagi Tamasha, is about reality, it is not about people who live on the stars but live around us and it is essentially looking at a certain truth. It’s not a film where one wears gowns and goes to the mall.”
Sarmad went on to add that he didn’t make the film to anger someone, nor was it intentional. “I’m not trying to show controversy.”
– Zindagi Tamasha releases in cinemas across Pakistan on January 24, 2020
Speaking about Zindagi Tamasha, Sarmad Khoosat (seen above at the meet and greet session in Lahore) said in a statement, “It is a story of tolerance, forbearance and compassion, made only with a lot of love and solicitude over the past year. Film is a complex medium, and one for the masses, hence keeping in consideration as many opinions and sensibilities as possible, and maintaining respect for public institutions, I am most happy to present on all screens in Pakistan, a version cleared by all 3 censor boards of Pakistan. I request you all to please watch Zindagi Tamasha in cinemas and to let it speak to you as you please. It is a film about all of us, for all of us.”
The film’s title track ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’ also released
Having banked on a ‘mostly’ unfamiliar star-cast Sarmad Khoosat, director of the film, similarly banked on a relatively unknown band, Saakin, who had two songs to their release when they were roped in.
Their first release for the film, ‘Sik Mitraan’ – based on kalaam by Peer Mehar Ali Shah – is a colossal and profound success. Saakin outdid themselves and now Zindagi Tamasha has released the second vocal track. Titled ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’, the song is an ode to the “golden” years of Pakistani cinema, performed and composed by Nimra Gilani, with lyrics by Khwaja Pervaiz and produced by Saakin (Varqa Farhaid, Parham Farhaid, Ibrahim Akram) as well as music production by Ibrahim, Varqa and Shamsher Rana and mixing and mastering by Ibrahim Akram.
The music video, directed by Sundus Hashmi, with Sarmad Khoosat as executive producer, is homage to veterans Khwaja Pervez, Wajahat Attre, Afsheen and Mumtaz.
But just as it is a musical and visual ode to the days when Pakistani cinema held its own, the song also wraps up the story of the film, a truism that life is stranger than fiction. It also makes us wonder a great deal about Nimra Gilani – who has done an outstanding job as singer/composer. Like the music video of ‘Sik Mitraan’, this one is also interspersed with scenes from the film and of the singer against the backdrop of old glorious Pakistani movies.
Haunting and beautiful, ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’ just gave the film a darker hue while the video is both a great showcase for Nimra Gilani, Saakin (who produced the music but do not feature in the video) as well as the film. The lyrics by Khwaja Pervaiz somehow capture the film’s delicate subject with great ingenuity and the video takes the narrative of the film forward.
from The News International - Instep Today https://ift.tt/36vJY8a
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