Pakistani actress Samina Peerzada tells Divya Kaushik that she is now looking forward to collaborate with Indian producers and directors to come up with a film or TV miniseries
She is one of those actresses who has seen the transition and growth of Pakistani TV and film industry over the years. Actress, director and producer Samina Peerzada is as much famous for her theatre and TV work as for her films like Inteha. She plays the character of Rafia Murtaza in the ongoing show on Zindagi channel, Zindagi Gulzar Hai (ZGH), and will be now seen in the forthcoming show Noorpur Ki Rani. While in ZGH she is seen as a strong, supportive mother who single handedly raises her three daughters after separation from her husband, in Noorpur Ki Rani she will be seen as a poker faced woman who never reveals her true emotions and feelings. She says, “My character is a complete contrast from the one in ZGH. Noorpur Ki Rani is the adaptation of the English novel Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier. Since most of our dramas are adaptation from literary works, it is important to work on the script cleverly, incorporate modern issues and elements to make the show appealing. In this one, I was impressed by the way director begins the storyline. He has created a back story around each character and the story opens with that. I was very fascinated by the idea. The show is the story of paradoxes brought out by the contrasting characters of Noorie and princess Raina. like most of our shows, this, too, is very close to reality. That is our forte.”
The actress says that the golden era for the Pakistani TV industry was when PTV was the only channel, which used to telecast shows close to life. Most of them, like Dhoop Kinare, were adapted from literature and theatre. Change started to happen in the early 90s when channels like Star Plus made an entry and the content was revised. But then we wanted to bring back that drama, that slice of reality, which our shows were always known for. With the advent of Hum TV, the change started to happen. We saw the return of original dramas on the small screen. The aim was to recreate that golden era and dramas that we were known for, but while doing that we made sure that the shows are relevant to contemporary times. The writers and producers of the shows took note that subjects are socially relevant and they talk of emergence and development happening around us. So with all these things, our content again went for a makeover and we witnessed a revolution, which is a good balance between good and old. So today we have dramas that are adaptations but are yet very modern when it comes to their subjects and treatments,” informs the actress, who was one of those earlier women artistes to make a mark in Pakistani TV and film industry. She studied business and had a penchant for acting since her childhood. “I did theatre, modelling and TV shows. I performed on stage for successful productions like Raaz-o-Niaz and Gurya Ghar. I moved on to do films with Nazdikiyan. This was followed by many films, including Bazaare Husn and Khawahish. I initially directed a string of television productions such as Sophia and Karb for Pakistan Television, but later chose to move to the celluloid world with Inteha. Though the film was critically acclaimed and got into controversies but it was Platinum jubilee hit. I have got a lot of respect from the industry for the work that I have done. People respected me for my education and the kind of work I chose to do for TV and films. I have immensely enjoyed my journey so far and I am thankful to the industry for giving me so many opportunities to be part of brilliant productions,” she says.
In the last few years, Samina has been busy with her TV work but she is now planning to get back to film production and direction. She has a few scripts and is completing TV work at hand so that she can work on a few scripts in the coming months. She also has plans to visit India in August. She says that she is also open to collaborate with Indian producer or director to come up with a film or TV drama or mini series.
She adds, “I am waiting for right kind of script to act, too. If I would get something interesting I will definitely love to be part of Indian media industry. Indian shows like Uttaran, Balika Vadhu and Comedy Nights With Kapil have been popular in Pakistan. Since Uttaran is an adaptation of Pakistani story, it was really popular initially. I am glad that there is healthy exchange of creative content happening between the two nations now. Films are my priority right now. Most of the work that I have done is based on social issues and I am looking at such scripts again.”