“Cinema is a risky business.” – Mehreen Jabbar

US-based director Mehreen Jabbar, who recently won the Best Feature trophy for Lala Begum at the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) 2018, is known for her strong narratives and unique storytelling techniques. From TV projects like Daam, Mata e Jaan Hai Tu, Rehaai and Jackson Heights to films such as Ramchand Pakistani, Dobara Phir Se and the most recent Lala Begum, content has been a major focus for Mehreen. She is currently in Karachi for the shoot of her upcoming TV project, Dil Kiya Karey that features an ensemble cast including Feroze Khan, Yumna Zaidi and Maryam Nafees.

“It’s about love, loss and survival; it’s about growing old,” Mehreen shared about the project in an exclusive interview with Instep. “The story is about moving on after a loss and doingsomething for society.”

Refraining to call it a ‘love triangle’ as it was reported earlier, Mehreen informed that the play talks about selfless love and revolves around multiple themes. It has an extended cast that includes the likes of Marina Khan, Sonia Rehman, Sarmad Khoosat, Shamim Hilaly, Abid Ali and Tanveer Jamal.

Speaking of her experience with the cast and the project, Mehreen observed, “Some of the actors I have known for two decades while some I am working with for the first time so, it’s fun. We are shooting outdoor and the weather is too hot; it’s challenging but it is fun.”

“Feroze has a very positive energy on set,” she continued. “We’ve developed a good chemistry and working relationship. He invests in his character and will be seen in a role that he hasn’t done before.”

Moving on, Mehreen also spoke about films and the current state of Pakistani cinema. With multiple films to her credit, she is of the view that relying on commercial films is not the key to success.

“Apart from a few hits like Punjab Nahi Jaungi and Na Maloom Afraad 2, most commercial films have failed to recover the money,” she asserted. “Cinema is a risky business. One can’t guarantee if they have put in all the necessary elements and that the film is going to be a success. Commercial cinema isn’t the key; it is important to make films that need to be made alongside commercial ones. Viewers should be exposed to a healthy range of subjects; there is no growth if we stick to just one kind of films.”

Reflecting on two recent local releases, Asim Abbasi’s Cake and Adnan Sarwar’s Motorcycle Girl, Mehreen said that a lot of people loved these films and it is important to make films that viewers can relate to. “Such films are a beacon of hope for Pakistani cinema as they tell stories that need to be told,” she expressed. “Adnan [Sarwar] and Asim [Abbasi] attempted to do that and if we keep up with that, eventually audiences will come out to watch them too. This will lead to originality and sustainability for Pakistani cinema while copying Bollywood films will not take the industry forward. The key is to get more cinemas, lower tax prices and cut ticket cost for the audience; there is a huge market and eventually the industry will develop.”

When asked if there are any film or TV projects lined up aside from Dil Kiya Karey, Mehreen informed that she is working on some ideas while her telefilm, earlier titled Dino Ki Dulhaniya, will air sometime later this year. As far as films are concerned, the director shared on a concluding note, “Whenever there is something I feel absolutely passionate about, I will go for it. At this point in my career, I wouldn’t go for something that doesn’t move me. I’m not in a hysterical rush, it will happen organically.”