Film-making in the time of Indo-Pak tension

With prevailing tension along India’s borders with Pakistan, a film-maker and a group of artistes, including renowned actor Naseeruddin Shah, are working on a movie that focuses on the humane side of relations between the two countries.

The English film, titled “Mango Dreams”, paints a more harmonious picture on India-Pakistan relations and portrays the needlessness of bilateral animosity.

It is based on the story of a doctor, played by Shah, who lived across India for most of his life and went to Pakistan after suffering from dementia.

The film is shot mainly in Ahmedabad and other parts of Gujarat, where the doctor spent most of his life.

After realising his Indian roots, he returns from Pakistan and shares his good experiences, highlighting the existing yet hidden cordial relationships between people of the two countries.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, one of the central characters of the movie Izhar Khan said: “This movie, unlike others, has in no way made any attempt to put any country or individual in bad light.”

Khan’s role in the film is to help the doctor trace his roots in Mumbai. One of the writers of the film, Mazahir Rahim, has ensured that the movie will not hurt the sentiments of individuals or the community at large, Khan said.

Mango Dreams is the debut venture of John Upchurch, an American film-maker from North California.

He chose Ahmedabad to shoot the film in important places like the Sabarmati Ashram in the backdrop of the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Khan said parts of the film have been shot in the temple town of Shamlaji in North Gujarat, as the protagonist spent his childhood and youth there.

The film will be released sometime next year because a large part of the shoot is still incomplete.

Khan hopes that once the film hits the screens, it will ensure that the people of
both countries realise the need to bridge the gap between them.