Pakistan’s film industry is doing great these days; more and more directors from other mediums are trying their luck in reviving the industry and theatre veteran Shahid Shafaat is the latest person to do so. Not only does he have the credentials to call the shots, he has also penned the script of Two + Two which is slated to release on Valentine’s Day, next year. Instep caught up with the writer/director about his decision to delve into filmmaking and what the film is all about.
Pakistan’s film industry is doing great these days; more and more directors from other mediums are trying their luck in reviving the industry and theatre veteran Shahid Shafaat is the latest person to do so. Not only does he have the credentials to call the shots, he has also penned the script of Two + Two which is slated to release on Valentine’s Day, next year. Instep caught up with the writer/director about his decision to delve into filmmaking and what the film is all about.
What made you go for a film after spending three decades in theatre?
Shahid Shafaat: Ever since I have been part of showbiz, I have wanted to do films because it is one medium where the director has the final say. Theatre taught me how to deal with actors and TV educated me about various angles and the use of camera. So when I came across a chance to write as well as direct a film, I just took it. As for the film, Two + Two follows the comedy of errors pattern where four individuals become interrelated after their mobile phones are exchanged in chaos. Believe me, it is the characters and the interesting situations that happen due to the exchange of mobile phones that will keep the audience engaged.
What should a director possess if he wants to migrate to films from another medium?
SS: Self-confidence is the key when it comes to films because you can only deliver your best if you believe in yourself. Unlike TV and theatre, a lot of money is involved in films and that’s what makes it more challenging.
How difficult was it for you to write and direct your first feature film?
SS: It wasn’t difficult at all considering theatre has been my teacher and when the foundation is strong, you don’t have to worry about first or second film. If this film does well, I will gladly move on to the next project.
There were a couple of changes in the cast after the film was conceived … how did you deal with that?
SS: There was nothing to deal with in the first place (smiles). We had initially cast Iman Ali but later opted for Urwa Hocane and these things happen when you are making a film. Urwa plays a fashion designer in the film and gelled well with the working environment.
And the male leads – Bilal Ashraf, Saleem Meraj and Ali Azmat?
SS: Bilal Ashraf was selected after auditioning for the role of a doctor. His selection had more to do with our policy of inducting new blood in films. He is a young actor with a lot of potential and I feel that he has a bright future. As for the rest, well Saleem Meraj plays a terrorist who wants to go to ‘heaven’ whereas Ali Azmat plays a police wala, which is close to his personality. The character is full of life, witty and blunt – more like the Ali we know. It was a tailor-made role for him and he has done well just like the other leads in the film.
Is it true that the film has the same crew that worked in Jet Li’s Hero and other international films?
SS: I am not sure … there may be a few people in the crew that have worked internationally. Our Director of Photography, Kelvin has worked in many commercials with Ahsan Rahim and that’s why we went for him. The fight sequences in the film are sort of inspired from Jackie Chan’s films and that’s the reason we went for a Chinese crew, who are best at it. If you want international-level work done, you have to ask for their help because even today, we aren’t able to match the stylized stunts performed by the Chinese.
Where has the shooting of the film taken place?
SS: Most of the shooting has been done in Karachi and we have tried to highlight the Colonial Architecture of the city. Some sequences were done in Hyderabad while one spell will be shot at Hub Cantt after which we will move to post production phase. We are pushing for a 14th February, 2016 release and hope to be ready by then with a quality product.
People go for their friends and family when they turn writer-director in Pakistan. However you did not cast your wife Sania Saeed who is one of the best actresses around?
SS: The reason why I didn’t cast Sania is because she wouldn’t have fit in any character in the film. She is a wonderful actress but we couldn’t insert her in the film just for the sake of it. Aisa kuch banatay to maza nahi aata.
Who has done the music of the film – songs and background?
SS: We are still working on the background score but the songs are ready. Javed Bashir has composed the numbers and he will perform them as well; there will be a song at the start, at the end and somewhere in the middle of the film.
Veteran actress Babra Sharif is making a comeback in films through Two + Two; how did that happen?
SS: My producers Hamza Ansari and Hassan Azhar have more to do with her casting than me; I just told them that I hoped that Babra Sharif would act in my film and they made it possible. She plays Bilal Ashraf’s mother and I am as excited as you are about watching one of the legends make a comeback.
- Omair Alavi is a freelance journalist and can be contacted at omair78@gmail.com
