The cast and crew of Udaaree at the press conference which was held on Thursday evening in Karachi.
TVTALK
Touching upon the sensitive issue, Udaaree sets itself apart from run-of-the-mill plays that seem to be crowding television screens in Pakistan.
Karachi: It’s common for important social issues like child abuse, child labour and domestic violence, to be brushed under the carpet in our society. However, what one fails to realize is that this will only worsen the situation and pave way for more crime. Hence, to see a television series take it upon itself to create awareness and make a difference is one refreshing sight. Kashf Foundation and MD Productions, has joined hands to highlight the issue of child sexual abuse on the small screen with TV serial Udaaree.
While Karachi’s fashionistas were busy dressing up for fashion week, the team of Udaaree, including co-producer Momina Duraid, director Ehteshamuddin and actors Ahsan Khan, Farhan Saeed, Urwa Hocane and Bushra Ansari, gathered at the Sky Banquet Hall at Ocean mall to talk to the press about their new venture.
After a brief introduction of the play, the show reel was presented and was well-received by the audience present. At a time when most TV serials seem to be only playing up on gender stereotypes and doing little to change things, the trailer of Udaaree came as a breath of fresh air. The serial not only sheds light on child sexual abuse but also ties it up with music and the right for any woman to pursue it without being looked down upon.
When asked how the play sets itself apart from others in portraying women, Duraid said, “From the child artist to Urwa to Bushra apa, every woman [in the play] is shown as strong and empowered. Through Udaaree, we want to convey the message that once empowered, you don’t stop there; you must take the responsibility to change the society. The characters of Bushra apa and Urwa are important in the sense that the two fight against the issues that has been highlighted in the play.”
A subject so pressing requires that actors not only depict what’s in the script but also dedicate themselves to propagating the cause. While speaking to the media, the cast reflected on how challenging it was for all of them to adjust themselves to the demands of the play. Quite opposite to what he is used to doing, Khan plays the antagonist in the serial; he is in fact the molester. Ansari seems to have an impactful role unlike what we’ve been seeing her do recently, whereas Saeed will be seen as a musician who discovers the artist in Hocane, an otherwise middle-class girl belonging to a rural area.
Penned by Farhat Ishtiaq, Udaaree is aiming high and promises to defy existing stereotypes against women by portraying all women in the play as strong and powerful. How it manages to do so by intertwining music with a subject so intense will only be revealed once it takes over our screens but it sure looks interesting. With a strong ensemble cast and a unique plotline, Udaaree is all set to hit screens on Sunday, April 10.