A lot of people are talking about the Bollywood ban in Pakistan as well as Bollywood’s own ban on Pakistani artists, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. One of these people is actor Aijaz Aslam.
The actor shared a throwback to when he was featured in Dost opposite Sweta Tiwari, that too for a collaborative project between India and Pakistan. Dost cast the Kasautii Zindagii Kay famed Indian TV stars Shweta Tiwari and Ronit Roy. Director Aehsun Talish was the man behind it and the serial was a hit.
“Many Indian TV actors were cast for Pakistani dramas because the local actors were just so expensive to get on board. So, when Humayun Saeed and Abdullah Kidwai approached us for a drama with Indian actors, we agreed because we believe art transcends borders.”
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Amid the Bollywood ban and the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) having forbidden all Indian artists from collaborating with anyone remotely Pakistani, people have been reflecting.
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A look at history
In the early 2000s, Ekta Kapoor’s soap operas were popular in Pakistani households with works like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki, Kavyanjali, Kahiin Toh Hoga, etc. She really dominated the entertainment sphere in Pakistan from across the border.
Historically Pakistani television productions such as Aansoo, Alpha Bravo Charlie, Dhoop Kinare, and Mehndi have dominated the region for decades. And then come these Star Plus shows.
The reason might be Indian content sticking to the typical ‘saas-bahu‘ storyline, supernatural plot twists, a sub-plot with someone returning from the dead, and endless loopholes from all these erratic script decisions.
Hell, even the actors wanted out after a few seasons. They were ludicrously written out of shows as the character getting plastic surgery or something.
In those days, cross-border collaborations meant Indian resources combined with Pakistani creativity. A win-win if we didn’t let politics affect art. That’s what Aijaz Aslam thinks too.
He told Express Tribune that rather than exporting talent to India, collaboration is the balanced approach.
“I am a firm believer that political scenarios shouldn’t affect art and entertainment,… but I also believe that there should be a balanced exchange of talent.”
Besides his drama serial Dost, other examples include Ye Kaisi Mohabbat Hai on Geo and Bay Khudi on ARY starring Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai famed actress Sara Khan.
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The Dolly Darling actor even pointed out that the reason India might stress on only importing Pakistani talent is that they might feel threatened.
“It makes one wonder if they are threatened by our talent? Our artists have always dominated the Indian counterparts. Be it Atif Aslam, Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, or any other, they have always garnered more praises than Indian celebrities.”
