Latest news with #FatimaJinnah
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Underdogs with a dream
You can hear his enthusiasm and energy in his words upon interacting with Danyal K. Afzal, writer and director of the upcoming Fatima Jinnah series. One may chalk it up to inexperience or the nervousness that often accompanies an ambitious goal one sets upon himself, but you can see his passion for the project he's undertaking. For the last three years, there have been sporadic news and updates regarding the anticipated project. Rumours about possible release dates surface and then die down. Afzal clarified that he and his team prioritises "authenticity over deadlines". He said building historical sets for the production was a massive feat that took a lot of time. "Fatima Jinnah's birthday, her death anniversary, or even Quaid-e-Azam's birthday are all on the table," according to Afzal but he wants to focus on the post-production first and finish the project. However, he's grateful for the attention the series has been receiving. "To this day, Partition and its key figures, especially Fatima Jinnah, hold a deeply emotional place in the conscience of our people." It's evident the young filmmaker is quite fascinated by Pakistani history. In fact, he already has the next few historical series in the works. As for Fatima Jinnah, Afzal's interest in the figure began during his studies and once he was into it, there was no going back. "Here was a woman who gave up everything to stand beside her brother, the only guardian figure in her life. The more I researched, the more captivated I became by her choices, her stances, and her quiet yet fierce resistance," said Afzal. The series is divided into six volumes spread over three seasons. The director shared that the first volume "will barely scratch the surface of her legend", but he "cannot wait to introduce this version of Fatima Jinnah to Pakistan; a version often left out of textbooks." Sajal or Sundas? Early on, Sajal Ali was attached to the project. However, she left in 2023, leading Sundas Shaheen-Farhan to replace her. Afzal says Sajal "brought an energy and poise to the project that helped set the tone" for what they were building but emphasised that there's no drama to unravel behind her leaving the project. "We [series team as well as Sajal] both felt that the character's current arc wasn't aligning with her creative direction. And we respected that wholeheartedly. We parted ways on the best of terms. To us, she'll always be one of our Fatima Jinnahs forever!" Not a lot is known about Sundas, who will be reprising the role moving forth, and the director is thrilled about it. "I love the mystery. I want the world to meet her as Fatima Jinnah; not through hashtags and press articles, but through her performance. Once she's launched, I promise you she'll have people in awe." Writing process While Afzal wrote all six volumes during his college days, the screenplay was developed two years ago. He collaborated with a team of researchers, art directors and professors who "understood women's leadership from that era". "To understand Fatima, you have to understand the people around her. Especially the women. Especially Bombay. Our Volume 1 is rooted in Bombay," said the director, describing the titular character as a "true Bombay girl". The series has an ensemble of 58+ central characters, each with their own timeline that weaves into Fatima's. "Our history barely remembers Ruttie Petit, Jinnah's wife and Fatima's sister-in-law, and the first woman to lead a protest beside Jinnah after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. She is one of our founders barely mentioned in any of our textbooks. While the onscreen ensemble is big enough, there's an even bigger pool behind the cameras making it all come to life. Afzal credits his team for being the backbone of the project and addresses some particular concerns. "None of us came from the traditional TV industry or had built sets this massive before. We were new and ambitious. We were mocked for being inexperienced. But we brought the quality people didn't expect from first-timers. We stood by our vision when it would've been easier to give up. And today, we stand proud, not just for surviving the pressure; but for thriving through it." He says the labour of love is for "our awaam, our history, and for every underdog team with a dream." Visuals and production Head of Production Design Raza Shah, a university professor who one day "realised he couldn't play that role anymore", said working on the project "felt like Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, trying to find the Emerald City without her magical slippers and with no golden path to follow. But soon, we felt rescued. Our director had a vision for all of us." Shah, with his team, built historical sets across 92 locations, but said it wasn't just about creating sets but also "educating ourselves, diving diving into lost chapters of South Asian anthropology and history, then emerging with insights into the architecture, infrastructure, geography, climate, textile traditions, visual language, and color palette of that time." To supplement the limited digitised, monochromatic records of the era and source the right production materials, they studied paintings from the era, analysed vintage textiles and jewellery patterns, and visited architectural landmarks for visual references. "We didn't want our sets to resemble museum displays; we wanted them to feel lived-in and believable," said Shah. Salman Aslam stepped in as the cinematographer to capture the sets in a way that was authentic to the story. He said the director is "allergic to wooden sets and CGI" so they shot everything on location, which means being more mindful of the sites with no green screen. "Styles, colours, even interior lights behave differently depending on the time period. We aimed for visuals that today's audience could connect with, while still being true to the textures and limitations of that era," said Aslam, noting he wanted to keep it all "era-accurate". Aslam points out how all visuals should be dictated by the script. "They need to carry meaning," and his job was to take those emotions and express them visually. The key direction for him was to avoid making it look like a typical TV drama, hence no clean solos. With the cinematographer's dislike of the cliched sepia tone to achieve the "forced vintage tone" in period films, he believes he managed to "find that sweet spot between realism and visual appeal" to create images that feel real as well as cinematic.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Women's rights and freedom
Listen to article The question of women's freedom has remained a subject of controversy throughout history. The root cause lies in male dominance and centuries-old patriarchal traditions that have sustained women's dependence on men. There is no doubt that, like men, women have equal rights in society to live a life of their choice, pursue education, access healthcare, share in property, choose a life partner and contribute to social responsibilities for the betterment of institutions and economic progress of the country. However, a few distractions have compromised the core issues. Slogans such as mera jism, meri marzi (My body, my choice) and humein azadi chahiye, na ki izzat (We want freedom, not respect) have conveyed a misleading message, raising concerns about the nature of the freedom being demanded. This shift in focus has diverted attention from critical issues such as limited access to education, employment discrimination and gender-based violence. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right of women. They should be valued equally alongside men, enjoying the same recognition and standing as members of society. What is needed most in these testing times is to grant women their rights by raising voices for practical solutions — improved access to education, equal job opportunities, no to dowry, stricter laws against gang rape, and social parity for women across all regions. The real purpose of Aurat Azadi (Women's Freedom) lies in advocating for rural girls' education, eradicating child marriages and eliminating oppressive customs in underdeveloped areas. Unfortunately, the misrepresentation of the Aurat March in recent years has diverted attention from these critical issues faced by women. The dignity and status of women are non-negotiable. A strong argument lies in her revered roles as a mother, sister, daughter and wife — she is not only a pillar but also a builder of any truly civilised and progressive society. Women's rights should not be confused with the blind imitation of Western ideologies that may not relate to local socio-cultural values. Instead, efforts must be directed towards meaningful advocacy so that women in rural areas receive education, access employment and are empowered to contribute to national development. Whether in the armed forces, medical field, engineering, politics or sports, women must have equal opportunities to serve alongside men in a safe and supportive environment. Women are the architects of society, capable of contributing to socio-economics, politics, health, education and agriculture. History remembers Fatima Jinnah, who supported her brother, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in the creation of Pakistan and later emerged as a political figure, challenging the status quo. Benazir Bhutto, the lady with democratic principles, set the precedent by becoming the first female Prime Minister of the Muslim world. In recent times, fearless women like Malala Yousafzai, who advocates for girls' education globally; Justice Ayesha Malik, Pakistan's first female Supreme Court judge; and Nighat Dad, a leading digital rights activist, have been relentless in their fight for human rights and social progress. Their legacies continue to inspire women to step forward, challenge norms and demand their rightful place in society. The concept of 'Womenomics' redefines gender equality by linking it directly to economic growth. Women in agriculture, education, healthcare and entrepreneurship are actively contributing to Pakistan's development. Women-led startups are on the rise, proving that given the right opportunities, women can be powerful economic drivers. The inclusion of women in the workforce is not just about fairness; it is about progress, prosperity and national strength. The struggle for gender equality catalyses progress, and every woman who defies the odds becomes an inspiration and a role model for the coming generations. Now is the time to invest in women, protect their rights and create a society where every girl grows up knowing she can achieve anything.
Express Tribune
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Her role in building a nation
Listen to article The progress of any nation hinges on the active involvement of its women in socio-political, educational, business, and technological domains. In Pakistan, women are not just participants but catalysts for change. Overcoming cultural and societal hurdles, their contributions are pivotal in building a prosperous and progressive country. A society that sidelines its women is akin to a lion - strong and mighty in physical strength but helpless and dependent when caged. Women are equally capable and strong, ready to play positive roles that uplift the nation in every aspect, alongside their primary responsibilities. As caregivers, educators, professionals and leaders, they stabilise and uplift society. Their active participation fortifies the foundation for holistic national progress. Many women have achieved remarkable milestones in their lifetimes, particularly in leadership and resilience, when given opportunities to excel. Fatima Jinnah, the Mother of the Nation, played an active role in the independence movement, consistently supporting her brother, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his leadership to establish Pakistan. Similarly, Benazir Bhutto shattered barriers by becoming Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, leading the nation toward growth and progress. Asma Jahangir, a fearless human rights advocate, championed justice and equality for an equitable society. Education is a powerhouse of opportunities, yet many girls remain deprived of this fundamental right, falling victim to persistent illiteracy. Of the approximately 25 million children out of school in Pakistan, girls constitute a larger proportion, outnumbering boys. Poverty, inadequate infrastructure and restrictive societal norms often compel girls to abandon their education. When voices are raised for girls' education, attempts are often made to silence them, as seen in the case of Malala Yousafzai. Fortunately, she survived the attack and continues to advocate for the education of girls worldwide. In business, Pakistani women are breaking barriers and driving economic growth. Through initiatives like 'Womenomics', women entrepreneurs are promoting economic diversification. Women-led start-ups and small enterprises play a key role in revitalising both urban and rural economies. These efforts not only empower individuals but also strengthen the national economy. In technology, women like Arfa Karim Randhawa and Dr Nergis Mavalvala, have achieved remarkable milestones. Arfa, a prodigy in IT, became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in the world. Dr Mavalvala, a physicist at MIT, has earned respect as a contributor to technology and research, making the country proud and encouraging further female participation in these fields. According to the 2023 Pakistan Population and Housing Census, 48.51% of the total population is female. Rural women work alongside men in the fields, ensuring food security and sustaining the agricultural economy. Their contributions, though often overlooked, are vital for national progress. Gender disparities in education, economic participation, and health continue to widen. Pakistan's 2023 Global Gender Gap Index ranking - 143rd in economic participation, 139th in education and 132nd in health and survival - reveals the severity of the issue. Comparatively, regional neighbours such as Bangladesh (99th) and India (129th) have made more progress in bridging the gender gap. For Pakistan to achieve sustainable development, empowering women must be a priority. Policies promoting equal access to education, economic opportunities and socio-political decision-making must be implemented, with an emphasis on mutual respect, equality and shared goals. The contributions of women have laid the foundation for Pakistan's growth. However, urgent action is required to address the challenges faced by the majority of women today. Bridging the gender gap is not merely a moral obligation but a necessity for Pakistan to compete globally, alongside other nations where women play an equal role in societal development. Women are not just contributors to the progress of the socio-political and economic sectors; they are equal partners in building Pakistan's future. I ask the readers: do you support the active role of women, alongside men, in society?
