Actress Ushna Shah is angry with the idea of Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali making a series based on Lahore’s infamous ‘Heeramandi’.
The actress questioned why Sanjay Leela Bhansali is taking away opportunities from Pakistani artists. In the comments section of the post about upcoming series, the Aakhir Kab Tak actress wrote that it is so infuriating that Netflix does not fund original projects for Pakistan.
She was quoted as saying, “It’s not his to make! It’s not theirs to make! This is so infuriating! Netflix doesn’t fund original projects for Pakistan. This is an opportunity taken away from Pakistani directors and filmmakers. Collaboration is one thing but this is appropriation.”
Read more: Will Pakistani filmmakers ever produce movies on social issues?
She continued that Heeramandi is set in Lahore which is in Pakistan, and even if we abide by the pre-partition argument, Mughal history is often denied by India and it is what Pakistani history is set on school. “India has a plethora of rich culture and history to base films on, whereas we predominantly relate to the Mughals. This would be like a Pakistani director making Mahabharata,” she added.
She further added that Pakistan has so many young filmmakers who have studied film and would dedicate their blood and sweat to make this as authentic as possible, they’re simply not given the chance.
