Uks Consultations

This was the first panel discussion in the series of DfC, featuring the team of the then recently concluded Hum TV drama serial “Dar Si Jati Hai Sila” which centered round the story of Sila who is sexually abused by a family member, Joee Mama. Dialogue for Change initiative aims to turn passive viewers and audiences into active and proactive ones, and to determine as to what extent news and entertainment content influences the viewers. Ms. Ahmar requested the panellists to talk about their experience of shooting the drama on a topic considered taboo in a Pakistani society. Bee Gul, writer of the play, shared that she was told that her writing was too bold for Pakistani society. She said her writings often addressed topics considered taboo, and many a times her projects almost got her killed! Yumna Zaidi (character Sila) said that a lot of girls reached out to her after the drama and that made her realise survivors found strength in Sila’s character. Saman Ansari (character Saadia) shared that people came up to her to express how much they could relate to script because it hit so close to home. Gul also shared that it was surprising for them that their drama got such high ratings. She said the ratings further broke the myth that audience do not like to watch dramas on sensitive topics and that was a big success.

Though in Pakistan we haven’t seen many women-centric movies with a clear-cut progressive narrative, there is, however one movie that needs not only to be recognized but also applauded; “Motorcycle Girl”. It is in this regard that Uks held a second panel discussion in the series ‘Dialogue for Change” with the cast and crew of this amazing movie. Director and writer, Adnan Sarwar, Sohai Ali Abro who played the lead role and senior actor Shamim Hilali were present. According to Sarwar, the project was a difficult one to sell to financers as most claimed that audiences would not be able to accept the absence of a male lead character, and the movie would not be a commercial success. Sohai lamented that scripts similar to Motorcycle Girl were not being written in the industry. She said “When I first read the script, I was surprised that a man had written it as it was very sensitively written and took into consideration very small details about the life of a woman”. Shamim Hilali recalled the good old days of Pakistani television which were not driven by the ratings game so gave some brilliant productions. The aim of Uks in holding such dialogues is to turn passive viewers and audiences into proactive ones, and ascertain the extent to which news and entertainment content can influence viewers, both male and female. Some very interesting comments came from the very engaged audience.

Women politicians and leaders shared their experiences of the political arena and commented on media’s role in empowering women in politics.

“I have being involved in politics since childhood. When we do politics for our fathers and brothers it is a source of pride for them; but when we do it for ourselves it is a source of disgrace.” said Ms. Sumaira Khan, a political worker of Pakistan People’s Party.