ChatDD Blog

The contingent of Pakistani models in Indian films is growing. First there were Meera Khan and Sana Nawaz . Now there’s model Mehreen Syed, who will feature in Sanjay Chauhan’s (who had penned the dialogue for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara) period film set in Rajasthan in the 1940s, followed by Shashi Ranjan’s romantic drama.

Dear mom She says, people have mistaken perceptions about Pakistan. Models and actresses there are as talented as those in India, it’s just that we don’t have the right platform. Besides Muscat, where she’s walked the ramp for designer Hassan Shehryar , Syed has also worked in Paris and Milan. She says, I m a Syed. Humare yahan agar ladki kaam karna chaahe toh maarne-kaatne ki naubat aa jaati hai. Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? - Mehreen Syed But Syed found a confidante in her mother, who is a lawyer. “I was abandoned by my family. Only my mother stood by me”, she says. Now, she has a toe-hold in Bollywood.

Beyond the kiss It’s an industry of dreams, it’s fascinating, she says. In the same breath, she explains the downsides.

The contingent of Pakistani models in Indian films is growing. First there were Meera Khan and Sana Nawaz . Now there’s model Mehreen Syed, who will feature in Sanjay Chauhan’s (who had penned the dialogue for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara) period film set in Rajasthan in the 1940s, followed by Shashi Ranjan’s romantic drama.

Dear mom
She says, people have mistaken perceptions about Pakistan.Models and actresses there are as talented as those in India, it’s just that we don’t have the right platform.

Besides Muscat, where she’s walked the ramp for designer Hassan Shehryar , Syed has also worked in Paris and Milan. She says, I m a Syed. Humare yahan agar ladki kaam karna chaahe toh maarne-kaatne ki naubat aa jaati hai. Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? - Mehreen Syed

But Syed found a confidante in her mother, who is a lawyer. “I was abandoned by my family. Only my mother stood by me”, she says. Now, she has a toe-hold in Bollywood.

Beyond the kiss
It’s an industry of dreams, it’s fascinating, she says. In the same breath, she explains the downsides.

Not many Indian directors know how to present a girl in the right manner. I often get offers asking me to shed my clothes before the narration of the script, she says. Why can’t Indian directors make films with Pakistani girls, which are not just about kissing and wearing skimpy clothes? she asks.

Playing favourites
Syed says she’s been cautious about choosing both her films, I was supposed to work with Sanjay Chauhan in his film, Lahore , but I fell ill. Now I’m going to make up for that. This is an arty film, and I am really excited about it.

Details about Ranjan’s film are yet to be finalised. Ask her about Bollywood’s men and Syed says, I love Shah Rukh Khan as an actor.John Ibrahim is smart, but if there’s one actor I’d like to work with, it’s Aamir khan , she gushes.

On The Beat

An Angelic Return
Isn’t it Strings everywhere? Turn on any music channel or even Geo News; one finds their latest venture Koi Aanay Wala Hai airing in massive frequency. Of course the video is special in many ways:
firstly it’s a ‘STRINGS’ video that are always concept oriented. Moreover, the presence of Indian star John Abraham makes this video an extremely irresistible affair. How the team up happened and also about
the insights of the video, MAG catches up with the band in a brief chit chat.
How did the team up with John Abraham happen for the video?
Ever since Zinda, we have become very close to John. When he listened to our new album, he simply loved it and there we decided to work together on the title track video.
Who has directed the video and where was it shot?
It’s an Indian director, Ravi Udyavar, who is quite a popular figure in India. It was shot in Malaysia.
Who came up with the concept of the video?
It was basically Ravi’s concept but while composing the track Bilal had in mind a character with wings. So when we shared this thought with Ravi there we came up with a concept of an angel falling in love with a human.
How do you find Ravi as a video director?
It was the first time we have worked with him and we find him as a very professional director. His vision is very broad and it was great working with him. He came up with various important ideas that we were thinking about. What is interesting about the video is that its Ravi’s 1st video in 7 years and the same goes for John. Also, we have shot a video in nearly 4 years so it was good understanding among all of us.
How was it working with John Abraham?
Over the years, we have become great friends with John so its always enjoyable working with a friend. Its always good fun.
Are you planning to work with any other Indian actor in near future?
Even before Koi Aanay Wala Hai, we had not thought about hiring any Indian actor in our video. But when John showed interested and as we are such good friends with him we thought of giving it a go. Our videos are always concept oriented and John fitted in as the lead character who is an angel.
When is your next video coming out?

By the 20th of this month!

Depicting the difficult situation in which Pakistanis - and the Muslims in general - found themselves in after 9/11, registering its outright success in Pakistan, Dubai and London, Pakistani film KHUDA KE LIYE is the first film from that country to invade into the Indian theatres from March 28.

The interesting thing about the film, produced and directed by Shoaib Mansoor, is how it connects the happenings in three continents. Unlike the usual Indian and Pakistani films based on romantic sagas, dances and songs, this film is based on some very serious issues, raising a lot of controversial questions engaging the Muslim minds these days. It helps the Muslim youth find a direction… the right direction, for which all are looking towards.

The film’s themes include the role of Muslim in Islam and the balance of Muslim values with moderate Western enlightenment.

KHUDA KE LIYE (In The Name of God) has Pakistani actors Shaan and Iman Ali in the male and female leads, while India’s Naseeruddin Shah appears in a prominent role of a Muslim cleric.

This low-budget film, covering a vast canvas, stresses on the fact that it is more important to be a true Muslim at heart.

(more…)