A 70-mm route to build bridge in troubled times

Pakistani actor and filmmaker Samina Peerzada8217;s visit to the Capital on Sunday seemed to aim at building a bridge over troubled waters after the attacks in Mumbai, through the glue that has bound the two countries for decades 8212; cinema.

Pakistani actor and filmmaker Samina Peerzada8217;s visit to the Capital on Sunday seemed to aim at building a bridge over troubled waters after the attacks in Mumbai, through the glue that has bound the two countries for decades 8212; cinema.

8220;How can we artistes turn our faces away when India bleeds because of some forces which are busy funding war?8221; said Peerzada, here as a part of the International Week of Justice Festival organised by Amnesty International India. 8220;We still can8217;t stop watching Shahrukh Khan movies,8221; quipped Peerzada

Talking about the current political situation that hampers creative interaction between the two countries, with a lot of Pakistani artistes returning home after threats issued from Hindu extremist groups and Shiv Sena activists, Peerzada iterates, 8220;Fundamentalists can8217;t quash the creative spirit. This is in fact the time I really wanted to be here: to support people, to confirm the solidarity that has always been respected by artistes and appreciated by people of the two nations.8221;

But keeping in mind the issue of Kashmir and the negative media influence, how do artistes work out things under the shadow of terror? 8220;Whether it is Marriot in Islamabad or the Taj in Mumbai, all terror attacks are the same. We cannot let these warlords win by jeopardising our own efforts to be together.8221;

Peerzada, who is also the organising member of the World Performing Arts Festival, said the artiste community from India had stood by them during the blasts at the festival in Lahore this year. 8220;Why should I flee when the situation calls for being together? Who knows better than the creative community that art transcends all barriers?8221;

Samina also plans to scout for the entire crew in India for her forthcoming untitled production that will be out next year. 8220;The cinema I am planning for is more of parallel cinema. I hope my plan of getting the entire crew from India works out.8221;

She is also planning to work alongside Mahesh Bhatt on a film. 8220;Mahesh and I will soon plan something. Our last project did not work out because of busy schedules,8221; she said.

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The artiste community8217;s efforts have managed to take the edge off the bitterness and anger people across the borders seem to harbour against each other.

In the words of Peerzada, 8220;We have to make the people on the streets endorse our friendship. An inevitable positive change is bound to happen.8221;