So sitting at home one day in December 2011, having nothing to do (as I was jobless) I was surfing the channels and stopped at ARY. On screen was this extremely, beyond-words graceful woman named Shamshad Bibi (Hina Bayat) sitting with Fazila Kazi discussing the matters of a ‘bari haveli’ and ‘bari tai’ with such conviction that I ended up watching the entire show. In fact I ended up youtubing all 40-41 episodes the next two nights. The show was a mystery soap titled Dareecha and I was hooked. For the first time ever, I went on to television show’s facebook page and commented on its brilliance. Someone by the name of Syed Mohammed Ahmed replied to that comment and we spoke back and forth with all the other people commenting also. Not until a couple weeks later I realized that this person is actually the writer of the soap, not to mention plays the character of Shah Jee. Later I found out he is actually known as one of the best and most respectable writers and actors in Pakistan television…not just that, he also wrote “Tere Bin Laden” for India. It was amazing that someone of such stature was so humble, and friendly. He encouraged me to write my thoughts on the coming episodes and I did until the show ended. In fact he is the reason for the few reviews I have done in the last 2 years and he is the reason for why I am able to do today. Having written the scripts for Badtameez, Tum se Kehna tha, Shaista Shaista, Dareecha, Tanhaiyan–Naye Silsile and many many more dramas, telefilms, and films, he sat down with me for a Shype Q&A. Here goes…
Q: How did you enter show business?
A: Started in theatre with Sheema Kermani and Khalid Ahmed (Theatre Directors). Sheema discovered the writer as the first play ‘Aurat’ I wrote was for her. She told me to take it to Ghazanfar Ali, whom after reading it offered me “Mystery Theatre” for which I wrote 20 episodes. After that I produced and directed “Aurat,” which was on Talaaq, Halala, and Prostitution. Even though it was the late 1980s, newspapers gave very positive feedback on that telefilm.
Q: What are you writing or doing these days?
A: I’m the Head of Content for Geo Films these days…am writing and reviewing movie scripts for them.
Q: What was the first drama serial that you wrote?
A: It was Sahira Kazmi’s “Tum Se Kehna Tha” (an adaption of the Hollywood movie “While You Were Sleeping.”), starring Marina Khan, Ali Haider, Badar Khalil and had 7 episodes.
Q: How was the experience working with Sahira Kaazmi?
A: It was very scary…she is a brilliant actor, a brilliant director, and a brilliant person, but extremely strict. Meri to sitti gum ho gayee unke saamnay. She would speak in extremely high volume and I would just sit there saying nothing. It was an experience I will never forget, she was a complete perfectionist
Q: What was your first original script?
A: Rubeena Ashraf’s “Rehne Do.” It was about an actress named Rehana who moved to Pakistan after the partition. She used to be a movie star but after moving to Pakistan she just locked herself in her house. Saba Hameed played the role of Rehana. Rubeena Ashraf is another perfectionist and a brilliant Director.
Q: Thoughts on television these days?
A: It is not the best time for Pakistani television. All you see is women crying, sisters hating each other, or extra-marital affairs. Rarely do you see something worth watching. Ratings will only come if one out of the three aforementioned stories is shown. I cannot write like that. Morals are shown only if they are creating controversies; otherwise there is no room for morals and ethics on television anymore. It has become a state of ‘tehzeeb vs taaleem. There was a time when television used to educate the audience…now days the audience is teaching television.
Q: What shows are you watching these days, if any, and which one is your favorite.
A: Saw “Aaseerzaadi” and thought it was excellent. The director (Ehteshaam Uddin) has done wonders with the play. “Lamha” is also a good serial.
Q: Which actor and actress do you think are doing well these days…as in who can actually act?
A: In males, I really like Hamza Abbasi…very good actor and a very good person. He has a lot of potential. I’m waiting to see his upcoming movie “Kambakht.” In females I like Sanam Saeed, Amna Shaikh and Sanam Balluch, (who he says is one actress who completely matches the concept of a Pakistani mashraqi larki).
Q: Let’s talk directors since you’ve worked with the best of the best.
A: One of the best directors’ is Mehreen Jabbar. She is very honest in her work and there is no exaggeration in her work. Another one is Farrukh Faiz. Kahan music daalni hai, kahan kya karna hai, sab pata hai use. He’s very young, but very good. Another is Marina Khan…there is no need to say about her work; it speaks for herself.
Q: What about Sarmad Khoosat? Why haven’t you worked with him ever?
A: Sarmad ke saath kaam karne ka mouqa nahi mila, lekin woh eik zabardast insaan hai! I see him often at the Geo office and he is not only a fabulous person, but extremely funny. Woh eik choti si baat karta hai, aur sab hansna shuru ker dete hain.He is very well read, an intellectual, kaam bohut acha, bohut imaandari se karta hai. I haven’t worked with him, but am a big fan of his.
Q: One of my favorite soaps ever is “Dareecha”. How did you come up with that story? More so, how did you come up with the character of Shamshad Bibi (played by Hina Bayat)
A: I’ve always enjoyed writing mysteries. The channel wanted a script with the typical’ roti dhoti khawateen’ and without telling them I added the mystery aspect in there and it worked. As to Shamshad Bibi’s character…there was this lady who used to come to our house in Quetta. I was very young but was fascinated by her. She was very graceful and religious. She would look at you and start telling you what is going to happen. I based Shamshad Bibi’s character on that real life lady. In fact the telefilm “Ghoongat” that I wrote, was also based on a true story.
Q: What is the one story you have wanted to write, but haven’t been able to?
A: Chanar Ghati…I wrote it more than 15 years ago, but for one reason or another, it never got made, I’m trying to re write it
Q: Tell me about your family please.
A: I have four daughters…eldest is Ayesha who’s married and living in New Zealand. After her are Atika, Aleena, and Urooj. Atika and Aleena are also married and Urooj is studying in Lahore these days. And of course there is my lovely wife Alya. Allah se dua mangta hoon ke agar dobara kisi wajeh se mujhe paida kare, to mujhe biwi Alya he de. She is the best of everything…best wife, mother, cook, host. She loves having gatherings and cooking for people.
Q: Last question…if one of your daughters ever wanted to enter the industry, would you let them? A: Absolutely no!!
With that we concluded the interview. Like I said in the beginning, Syed Ahmed is one of the nicest people I have ever known without having ever met. Anything I have written and people liked, I owe it to him. He is extremely jazbaati and will yell at you if you are wrong or if he doesn’t like what you have written, but treat you like his own child while doing so. If anyone has seen him as Mutmaeen Uncle in “Coke Kahani” and the infamous Abba in “Durr-e-Shehwar,” he is actually a mix of these 2 characters in real life. Thank You Ahmed Uncle for the interview, and for everything else!!
