chatter matter
We often hear that by creating awareness about social issues, like child marriage, honour killing, child labour etc, we can stop these cruel practices that are still prevalent in our part of the world. So, what is the best way to educate people? The fact is that media especially electronic media is the easiest and fastest way to reach people. It has the power to transform the whole society and make people aware of their wrong doings.
In the past, we have seen a number of drama serials catering to women oriented issues like rape, child marriage, birth of transgender and women harassment. Such serials have broken boundaries in order to reach every nook and corner. A few months back, a serious issue of raping young girls was brought to the forefront through a serial. And once again, a private TV channel has come up with its brand new serial, ‘Sammi’ which is based on the heinous crime of ‘wani’, the ignorance of maternal and child healthcare and female inheritance laws.
Recently a ‘meet and greet’ session with the cast and crew was held in Karachi. We all know that ‘wani’ is a cultural custom wherein young girls are forcibly married as part of punishment for a crime committed by her male relatives. It is a form of arranged child marriage, and the result of punishment decided by the ‘jirga’. And drama serial, Sammi shows the journey of different female characters who rise above traditional and social barriers and find within them the courage to claim their rights and end their silent suffering. It is written by Noor ul Huda Shah and is directed by actor turned director, Saifee Hassan. The star cast includes Adnan Siddiqui, Mawra Hocane, Seemi Raheel, Saman Ansari, Rehan Sheikh, Madiha Rizvi, Irfan Khoosat, Nadia Afgan, Bilal Khan and Ahad Raza Mir.
At the event, the female cast members revealed a little about what the drama is all about and how such issues are over looked in our society. The event was followed by a question and answer session with the press during which director Saifee Hassan said, “It was a great challenge for me to be able to use my abilities for a purpose.”
Well, we hope that such initiatives can help put a stop to these unruly customs. Wishing the entire team all the best!