“How many woman-victim stories can you tell?”

Tell us about your upcoming TV drama serial ‘Jackson Heights’. What is the story and what is the inspiration behind it?

The serial covers about 6 characters who live and work in Jackson Heights, which is a part of New York where there is a large concentration of South Asian immigrants. Nauman Ijaz plays a cab driver married to an American woman. Marina Khan plays a Pakistani Christian woman who runs a restaurant, Aamina Sheikh is a woman who works in a salon, Adeel Hussain’s character comes to the US hoping to make it big, Ali Kazmi plays a con man who can’t get a break while Adnan Jaffar plays an Indian Muslim banker who can’t woo the woman he loves. There are many other characters as well making this a true ensemble serial. This story has been marinating for almost 3 years now. While I was filming another TV serial in NY, my friend and colleague Shehrazade suggested that we do something called Jackson Heights. The idea was then pitched to Humayun Saeed, and Vasay Chaudhry was brought on to write the serial, and I think he’s done a fantastic job.

[quote]Marina Khan plays a Pakistani Christian woman who runs a restaurant[/quote]

The diaspora is a relatively new theme in Pakistani drama serials, though not a singular one: in the last two decades the diaspora has dominated film and TV narratives across South Asia. How and why, in your experience, has this happened?

I think initially when our TV serials started being filmed overseas particularly in the US and the UK, it was primarily for location purposes. Producers and directors wanted the stories to get out of rooms and houses and shoot on the streets, next to lakes, castles, shopping malls, hills, etc. And then that trend died down primarily because it is more expensive to shoot in the US and UK. Then places like Mauritius, Turkey, Thailand, etc become more common. Now, the majority of serials are shot in Pakistan with some being shot overseas.

It is said that Pakistani popular culture, in contrast to Pakistani politics, shows a softer or more humane side of the country. Would you agree?

I’ve been blown away in recent years by the new voices in music, art, writing and now the visual medium. However, not all popular culture necessarily just portrays a softer side. I’ve seen and heard some pretty charged political and social statements coming out in music, in music videos, in art, etc. I am actually hopeful and curious about what is to come in this new wave.

How have viewers’ appetites changed since you started out in the 1990s? What are the new tastes, the new demands? Do you feel audiences have progressed or regressed in their general orientation?

That’s a tough one. While the audience now is far more exposed and aware and has that power of choice with so many channels and content, there is unfortunately a regression in the themes that are out there for drama serials. The dark side of the ‘ratings’ game has led to channels and producers wanting to make material that they think will sell and that has sold before. So, if Humsafar did really well, why don’t we make 100 Humsafars and have the same kind of theme or my favourite is ‘jab tak aurat par zulm na ho’ serial hit nahin ho ga, or ‘let’s have a theme of rich guy falling for poor girl’ , etc, etc.

[quote]Hopefully we can reverse our descent into crass commercial television[/quote]

Since the 90’s risk-taking has decreased, and producers are more unwilling to try out new genres. However, that said I feel this current situation will change. There are still some smart people in the TV industry who will want to experiment or try something new. How many woman victim stories can you tell. There are new people coming into the business and hopefully we can reverse or control our descent into crass commercial Television.

What, in your opinion, does the soaring popularity of Middle Eastern soaps like ‘Ishqe Mamnoon’ and ‘Mera Sultan’ say about TV-watching audiences in Pakistan?

You know I haven’t watched them so not in a position to give an opinion about the serials themselves but from what I’ve heard is that they are very well scripted and plotted so the interest doesnt wane and that the actors are gorgeous! I would say don’t underestimate the Pakistani TV audience and let not our own industry get complacent and think we know what sells, because we don’t.

2013 has been described as the year in which Pakistan’s film industry experienced a “revival”. What is your reading of the situation?

My reaction is a big smile and a prayer that we continue to support and encourage different kinds of cinema. Our films are still trying to find a voice. I hope we don’t fall into the trap of trying to be like Bollywood. One can learn a lot from Indian cinema and I think collaborations are a great idea but we should not try and imitate but instead create something that is unique to us. 2013 was very interesting because of the range of films produced, from Zinda Bhaag to Waar, from Main Hoon Shahid Afridi to Josh and all the others. So the diversity is very important and I hope we don’t get into that mindset that because such and such a film did great business, let’s make 5 more of the same kind.

What inspires you, Mehreen? Music, art, literature? What spurs your imagination into action?

Buskers in the subway, a new song, a gentle sun with a cool breeze, french fries, smart people.

Can we expect a feature film from you anytime in the near future?

YES.