Arts Council plans setting up an independent production house

The 10th Karachi Literary Festival has set off in Beach Luxury Hotel on Friday. A session on “Pakistani Cinema: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was held later on the evening and moderated by President Arts Council of Pakistan Muhammad Ahmed Shah himself.

Expressing his views Mr. Shah said, “We are setting up an independent production house and film academy followed by archives”. He added, “Producers in Pakistan are objected on making huge budgeted films, film industry is commercial all over the world, our producers cannot make films only for passion”.

Actor Asif Raza Mir said that digital media has become a competitive medium for film and drama. Asif Raza Mir was hopeful of the new generation in industry and introduced Farrukh, a 21-year old producer whose film is in post-production phase. Actor in Law Producer Fiza Ali was inclined to make a feminist movie and answered a question saying, “Load wedding was also based on a female oriented topic; dowry but unfortunately we received criticism from women over the film.” Other guest speakers of the session were Satish Anand and Munawwar Saeed. Director Nabeel Qureshi was positive on making a film on women issues. He made a comment on movie techniques saying, “There is not one formula for film-making. We have to keep on experimenting”.

Meanwhile, famous comedian and stage actor Shahzad Raza was paid tribute for his artistic work in Pakistani industry. Mai Baraye Farokht actor was grateful to Arts Council and said that when artists are praised for their work they are encouraged to do a better performance. Bushra Ansari commented on her former co-actor saying, “Shahzad has always made people smile. Sometimes during the shoot, it was difficult for us to continue because of Shahzad’s great sense of humor and remarks”. Danish Nawaz, Ali Hasan, Anwar Iqbal, Ayaz Khan, Ayub Khoso, Rauf Lala and Saleem Afridi thanked Shahzad Raza for his memorable performances which were enjoyed by the people. Behroz Subzwari said that I canceled all of my scheduled stuff today to be here. He further added, “only thing by which artists can be admired is giving them due respect which has earned by them”. Famous comedian Umar Shareef did not attend the event but stated on a telephonic call, “I have traveled to many cities with Shahzad Raza for projects. He has introduced himself as a successful artist by brilliant work in TV, radio, and theatre”. At the end of the event, Shahzad Raza was given a flower bouquet by President Arts Council of Pakistan Muhammad Ahmed Shah. The person of the evening was also awarded an honorary shield.

Furthermore, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has said that Karam Abbas Khan and Rehmat Abbas Khan are promoting their ancestors talent among the youth. Mr.Shah reiterated that, “Ustad Ahmed Ali Khan will be missed forever but his sons are doing good to make his memories alive”. A special event was organized in the premises of Arts Council to pay tribute to Ustad Ahmed Ali Khan on his 19th death anniversary. Apart from the sons of the legendary classical singer, other performers included Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Nafees Ahmed Khan, Salman Alvi, Imran Abbas Khan, Waseem Abbas Khan, Ahmed Ali Junior and Ishaq Khan. The audience was mesmerized by the spell bound performance of the artists.

Sharing is caring

Leave a Reply