Projecting reality through art

KARACHI: Sultana Siddiqui recently set the stage for viewers to mull over a powerful narrative of resilience and acceptance as producer of ‘Mann Jogi,’ the first of three mini-serials, currently airing exclusively on HUM TV. The former PTV director and now President of HUM Network who won accolades for her brilliant serial ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai’ on HUM TV, has ventured into this domain after 12 years.

Unable to bear the rising tide of intolerance, terrorism and bigoted issues prevailing in society, she took up the banner to bring awareness to people. Directed by the acclaimed Kashif Nisar, with a gripping script by Zafar Mairaj, ‘Mann Jogi’ stars the talented Bilal Abbas Khan, Sabeena Farooq and Mirza Gohar Rasheed, bringing together a cast that promises to deliver a powerhouse performance which has been garnering favourable reviews already.

A director with years of experience having produced many programmes on PTV including the enormously successful ‘Marvi’ based on a social evil Karo-Kari, Sultana Siddiqui shares insights on the casting process, the importance of careful subject selection, the need for collaboration and support within the drama industry, and how to improve it, keeping her project, ‘Mann Jogi’ in mind.

GLAM: How did the topic for Mann Jogi and the rest of the upcoming mini-serials come to your mind?

SS: The project was born out of a deep-seated desire to create thought-provoking content, specifically addressing the destructive tendencies within the society. We wanted to create impactful and meaningful content that would resonate with the audience. The overarching thought behind the project is to explore pervasive societal attitudes, particularly the anger and intolerance that often lead to injustice. The narrative reveals how individuals jeopardize others’ lives for personal gain, with some cunning people supporting these actions and ultimately destroying innocent lives.

While we thought about producing a 25-episode serial at first, we soon realized the multifaceted nature of the narrative and consequently decided to split it into three distinct mini-serials with eight episodes each, tackling different topics. The first serial, ‘Mann Jogi,’ has been brought to life by director Kashif Nisar and has received positive reviews, despite the sensitive and dark nature of the subject matter.

We are collaborating with Mehreen Jabbar and talented writer Saji Gul for the second serial, which centres on a similar theme revolving around the medical profession. The third endeavour has Saifi Hassan as the director and Mustafa Afridi as the writer, shedding light on yet another significant societal theme.

GLAM: Do you think such serials can make an impact on the viewers?

SS: Definitely yes! Overall, television dramas have the power to create awareness, challenge societal norms and inspire positive change. By addressing important topics and presenting them in a thoughtful and responsible manner, these dramas can have a lasting impact on individuals and society. Let me share a few examples; Drama serial ‘Zindagi Gulzar Hai,’ which inspired and encouraged many mothers to support their daughters in pursuing a career in the Civil Services of Pakistan (CSS); PTV’s ‘Marvi,’ which focused on the issue of Karo Kari.

Despite receiving threats and objections from people who believed it went against their traditions, the drama shed light on the issue and raised awareness about the consequences of such practices. One such viewer, a woman, approached me and shared her personal experience of domestic violence and said the drama provided her with information about an NGO that could help in such cases, giving her hope and a potential solution.

Having said that, I believe that it is important to handle sensitive subjects with care in television dramas. Messages should be conveyed subtly to ensure that the impact is positive and constructive. Moreover, while it is crucial to address serious issues, it is also important to balance them with entertainment to provide viewers with a variety of content.

GLAM: Were there any challenges that you faced while bringing the script to life?

SS: The course of bringing a script to life can be both exhilarating and challenging. The synchronization of ideas and the pursuit of a common understanding among various creatives often shapes the successful outcome of a project. When you are preparing a script, it’s a collection of contrasting ideas that converge into a masterpiece. When a director or a producer brings his thoughts to the table, there might be chances of small problems arising in reaching a common understanding of the script. That’s how the creative process works, though it can be a bit challenging at times.

GLAM: What was the criteria for the casting of this serial?

SS: When it comes to casting, we believe in a meticulous approach that begins with the story itself. We first engage with the writer and the director on how to handle the sensitive subject, and ensure that the vision for the characters aligns with the overall narrative. Once that’s established, finding talented artists to bring those characters to life is relatively easy. Obviously, a good artist can do any character well.

GLAM: What advice would you give to aspiring producers based on your experience with this project?

SS: In my opinion, not everyone is cut out for tackling sensitive subjects. There should be a balance while tackling social issues and wholesome entertainment like we did in ‘Suno Chanda.’ Carefully presenting sensitive subjects without glamourizing them, is the key to making progress in the right direction as was needed in this serial.

GLAM: How can the drama industry be improved?

SS: The drama industry, though small in size, holds immense potential for growth. I would suggest establishing training institutes and introducing initiatives like the Pakistan International Film Festival (PIFF) by HUM, to help potential writers and directors to learn the tools of the trade. However, I think this responsibility should not rest solely on our shoulders. Other channels should step up and collectively invest in the training of talented persons, which will enable the drama industry to compete on a global scale.

GLAM: Would you like to give any message to our readers?

SS: I would encourage readers to watch the whole serial before forming an opinion or reaching a conclusion, because by watching the serial in its entirety, only then the true message behind the narrative can unfold.