SPECIAL REPORTS


LARKI PUNJABAN: BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Afzal Khan Speaks About His Movie With Syed Noor & Shashilal Nair


The forthcoming Pakistani film Larki Punjaban is breaking down boundaries within the film industry. The much-awaited movie caused massive controversy during its making when rumours spread that its contents degraded the Sikh religion. Many religious groups rallied together and called for an international ban.

However the film's producer Afzal Khan from Paragon Pictures took time out to meet Sikh community groups and explain the efforts taken to ensure Larki Punjaban was well researched and would not demote any religion at any level. "At the start there was considerable animosity," explains the UK-based producer Afzal Khan. "In one day I received over 400 emails from Sikh individuals and groups from around the world. I did assure them there was no religious or political agenda behind the movie. But it was not easy to relieve their fears."

Before the situation got out of control, special screenings were held in England to pacify any fears and sooth relationships. "We had two previews for the Sikh community leaders. One was held in Southall and the other in Bradford. The response was exceptional. It was so positive that posters of the movie are now displayed in Southall in Sikh owned businesses. One Sikh community leader called Kesar Singh Mand told me Larki Punjaban was the best portrayal of Sikh characters he has ever watched in a film. This was a great compliment for the director Syed Noor who had taken a lot of trouble to find out about the Sikh religion and culture before starting the movie," states Afzal.

Larki Punjaban is a story of a Sikh girl (played by Saima) who falls in love with Muslim (played by formed model Shamyl Khan) whilst visiting Lahore. The inbred hatred of their parents, stemming from the tragic events of the partition of 1947 threatens to keep the lovers apart. Will the painful memories of their elders come to haunt the young lovers 55 years on with tragic results? Or has half a century taught them to live and let live? The story is based partly on real life characters.

The celebrated Pakistani filmmaker Syed Noor has worked hard as director since this is possibly his most ambitious project to date. Bollywood director Shashilal Nair, a good friend of Afzal Khan, assisted with some of the shooting and was also involved in editing and releasing the film in India. The movie releases in the UK on 21st November 2003. It will also be released in India at the same time and then Pakistan on the 25th December 2003.

Following the release, Afzal has more ambitious projects lined up for the future: "Shashilal Nair is working on a project that will use actors from Pakistan and India and will start in early 2004. Syed Noor will assist on that movie and Paragon Pictures will produce it. I hope this will be the start of these type collaborations".




WRITTEN BY ROBEEL HAQ