Lok Virsa Mandwa Film Club marks two years

Islamabad: It was back in summer 2015. Dr. Fouzia Saeed had earlier taken over as executive director of Lok Virsa in March. She wanted to enhance activities of the Lok Virsa, particularly where audience could be part of Virsa and the events could bring joy in the life of Islamabad residents. The folk essence of films was missing.

‘Mandwa’ to elder generations meant sitting under a tree and recalling the events of the day with a chit chat. The term later took off for cinema and movies ‘Mandwa dekh ker aya hoon’ or ‘mandwa dekhne jaa raha hoon.’ What could have been more appropriate for Lok Virsa film club, Dr. Fouzia Saeed picked up Mandwa for Lok Virsa Film Club.

Few expected Mandwa would turn up in just two years as a popular venue for screening Pakistani and international cinema. Cliche as it might sound but as the weeks passed into months and months into two years, one can now recall events and activities of Mandwa with a bit of nostalgia filled with passions and sentiments. This was the labour of love from Dr. Fouzia apart from regular Saturday screenings, Mandwa was also became part of annual Lok Festival Mela in 2016 and 2017 with its own stall. Film music, film quiz and singing competitions were arranged where winners received special mugs with images of our glorious film past. It was fun all the way. But this is not all.

Lok Virsa executive director made sure that every film screening came not just with tea and snacks but also bag full of popcorns(one core member Muzaffar Qureshi regularly pitched in with the popcorns) free for everyone. More came with film celebrities from Lahore and Karachi who were invited to Mandwa evenings. Even with budgetary constraints, the Executive Director made sure to treat the actors, directors and composers with dignity and VIP protocol.

It all began with the first screening. 1970 Punjabi classic ‘Heer Ranjha’ was selected for the occasion in august 2015. Actor-producer Ijaz Durrani and director Syed Noor were the special guests. Ijaz Durrani spoke on the occasion about making of ‘Heer Ranjha’ and how this epic came into being. In the following weeks and months, many other film guests joined the list ranging from Sameena Ahmad, Adil Murad (son of Waheed Murad) composer Wazir Afzal, Rabia (daughter of Rani) to Sangeeta, Saiqa, Naghma, Bahar, Nisho and Mustafa Qureshi. Their presence with bouquet, handshakes, hugs and selfies dazzled everyone. Ambassadors and Culture Counsellors from Japan, Korea and Argentina added more grace.

As we look back on images, music and dialogue from titles ranging from ‘Koel, singing in the rain’, ‘Naila’, ‘Lakhon Mein Eik’, ‘Pyasa’, ‘Meri Zindagi Hai Naghma’, ‘Roman Holiday’, ‘Bicycle Thief’, ‘Cinema Paradise’, ‘Andaleeb’ to ‘Malangi’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘Iron Lady’ and dozens of other notable and memorable films, we are left with a feeling that we have seen it all. With tears and laughter what else could be left that we have not experienced in the last two years. No ! A lot more to come.

More films from our glorious past which relates to our folk culture and traditions, more glimpse of international cinema, more dazzling presence of movie celebrities and more fun. Nothing would be complete without thanking entire dedicated staff of Lok Virsa (with special gratitude to Ehtisham Ahmad) who made it all happen in every possible way even when the chips were down.

Lok Virsa Mandwa Film Club celebrates second anniversary with music, movie quiz, food (Potluck) and lots of fun on Saturday (July 22).

The magic begins at 6 p.m. and its free.

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