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Pakistani theatre not a reflection of culture: Naseeruddin
Indo-Asian News Service

Islamabad, May 2 (IANS) Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has said that Pakistani theatre did not reflect the country's culture and history.

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According to Shah, a country's performing arts should reflect its cultural heritage. But Pakistan's movie industry and theatre had not done justice to the nation, which he said was a tragedy.

"If Pakistani theatre wants to evolve, it has to define its own identity, which must project its historical identity," he said at a press conference here.

The actor, who is here to perform in Pakistani cities, felt that people-to-people contacts would yield more positive outcome than bilateral pacts between Pakistan and India. 

"People-to-people contacts between Islamabad and New Delhi will go a long way to eliminate the existing distance."

He also said that matters of the past should be left behind and not be repeated or refreshed. 

"I have no words to express the love people of Pakistan have conferred on me. It will tantamount to sprinkling salt on wounds to speak about the bitter past. 

"(Talking about) Pakistan-India cooperation (from) a luxurious hotel will serve no cause. That is why we should work at the grassroots to bury the acrimony between the people of Pakistan and India," said Shah.

He called upon artists of both countries to play their role in improving India-Pakistan relations. He said he had no intentions to join the political scenario. 

Naseeruddin gets standing ovation in Pakistan
Indo-Asian News Service

Islamabad, May 4 (IANS) Bollywood actor and theatre personality Naseeruddin Shah, currently performing in Pakistan with his group and family members, has wowed audiences in this capital city with his wit and his talent.

He told audiences before his play "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" only three things.

"One, please put off your mobile phones; two, please put off your mobile phones and three, please put off your mobile phones," he said, much to the delight of the crowd.

Reporting the event, The News said audiences in Islamabad were not known to be very generous with their applause. 

"So when they give a standing ovation, it means they have truly appreciated the show in question," it said.

Renowned Urdu writer Ismat Chugtai's works were brought to life by Shah and his family; going from good - young Heeba Shah doing "Chhui Mui" - to better - Ratna Pathak Shah telling the tale of "a love story of epic proportions" in "Mughal Baccha" - and best - Naseeruddin Shah narrating the story of "Gharwali".

"Though the acting by the artistes was minimal - just enough to accentuate the storyline - it added a certain something which made the tales more interesting, not only to listen to but visually as well - actions speaking louder than words! A few props and a simple backdrop were all the additions needed. 

"All the human emotions were there - the audience was carried along on a roller-coaster ride from one to the other as the stories unfolded. We laughed; we sighed. We were saddened by the pathos in the lives of the protagonists and marvelled at their resilience, then, in the end, we were left thinking how time goes by but human nature does not change much," said the newspaper's reviewer.
   

Indian showbiz personalities' visit lights up Lahore
By Shafqat Ali, Indo-Asian News Service

Lahore, May 8 (IANS) The city of Lahore, where Pakistan's film industry is situated, was agog with excitement during the visit last week of a large delegation of Indian showbiz celebrities and the premieres of two Indian films.

A large number of Mumbai-based celebrities visited here to participate in the premieres of the Indian 1960 classic "Mughal-e-Azam" and last year's "Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story".

Large crowds attended the screening of the two films, based on epic love stories of the Mughal era in India. However, the people seemed more interested in seeing the Indian celebrities - film directors, actors, and producers - than watching the movies.

A number of programmes, including two painting exhibitions, a music concert, a play staged by Indian veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and a book launch, were organised in the past few days during the Indian delegation's visit.

Many groups hosted receptions in honour of the Indians. During the receptions, apart from exchange of pleasantries, hopes were rekindled that the film industries of India and Pakistan would be able to screen their films in each other's countries. There was also talk about holding a festival of Pakistani movies in India in the near future.

However, exchange of harsh words between Indian actor Feroze Khan and Pakistani TV anchor Fakhar-e-Alam over Khan's alleged comments on the plight of Muslims in Pakistan and the country's human rights record created some unpleasantness.

At a hurriedly called press conference at his hotel, Khan clarified that he had not said anything derogatory against Pakistan in a TV show. He said he was being maligned. However, Alam demanded that the unedited TV footage be released to resolve the issue.

Notwithstanding the unpleasant episode, the screening of the Indian films and the visit of Indian delegation helped in raising a donation of Rs.6.5 million for the president's relief fund for the October 2005 earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, Naseeruddin Shah, his wife Ratna Pathak Shah, daughter Heeba Shah and others from his theatre group presented a play titled "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" at the Alhamra Cultural Complex here on April 27. Directed by Shah, the play was based on three short stories by renowned storywriter Ismat Chughtai (1915-1991) - "Gharwali", "Chhui Mooi" and "Mughal Bachcha". The play was staged to raise funds for a non-profit organisation.

"I had long been wanting to come to Lahore along with my theatre group and perform here," Shah said at a press conference later.