As India’s renowned director Sanjay Leela Bhansali prepares to reveal the untold stories of Heera Mandi, Lahore’s red light district, Pakistani artistes are questioning their own industry, saying that such stories are being told by Pakistanis. To be narrated by filmmakers.
Bhansali’s web series ‘Hiramandi’ is being presented and produced by online streaming giant Netflix.
Bhansali said, “‘Hiramandi’ is an important milestone in my journey as a filmmaker.” “This is an epic, first of its kind series set in the manners of Lahore. It is an ambitious, grand and comprehensive series; I am nervous yet excited to make it. I look forward to our partnership with Netflix and Hiramandi ‘ to audiences around the world.”
In Pakistan, the SLB movie is eagerly awaited, with even Pakistani actors questioning the lack of realization in the Pakistani film industry that such stories should be told by the country’s own filmmakers.
Pakistani actor Yasir Hussain said, “Heera Mandi is here in Lahore and Indians are making a film on it.” “And then we will criticize how Indians show false stories. God knows when we will talk about such issues, when will we tell our stories,” he said.
Actress Hira Tarin said, “We don’t make films on such issues because if we do then a fatwa will be issued and the producers will have to lose their money.” “Do you really think that PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority) can tolerate recounting of ‘real’ stories from Heera Mandi or any other such subject?” He asked.
TV actress Mansha Pasha commented: “INDA is making a film on Lahore and the infamous Hira Mandi because we live in a country where fiction is often censored and everyone keeps arguing about what is morally wrong. from what is an acceptable spec or not.”
“Others take most of the opportunities our country natives take to name the stories, brand them and sell them to the rest of the world. In the end, what will be left is our stories told from someone else’s mouth” , he added.
Pakistani actors are raising relevant questions as the country’s conservative religious elements have in the past reacted violently against any subject that would be significant and highlighted on the big screen.
This has certainly deterred filmmakers and producers from even thinking of telling ‘real’ stories as they become targets of people rushing to brand them as kafirs.
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