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Mozaffor Ali Farrok Shaikh in Town

Staff Correspondent
Renowned Indian filmmaker, artist Muzaffar Ali and Indian actor Farooq Shaikh are in town to attend the joint celebration of 100 years of Indian cinema — by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka and Bangladesh Film Development Corporation -- and Soumitra Chatterjee retrospective. The festival that opened yesterday at the National Museum in Dhaka will continue till September 8 (excluding September 6).
On the occasion, noted Bangladeshi filmmaker and producer Catherine Masud, Muzaffar Ali and Farooq Shaikh met the press at Dhaka Club on August 31, took questions and spoke on several issues.
Asked about her reaction on the celebration of 100 years of Indian cinema, Catherine Masud said, “Bangladesh and India share many traditions. Indian films are appreciated here. I would like to see Bangladeshi cinema being celebrated in India too."
Masud also regretted that Soumitra Chatterjee could not attend the festival honouring him. About the veteran thespian, she said, "He is one of great film personalities still alive and his acting should be studied.”
On his preference for 'period films', Muzaffar Ali said, “I'm deeply rooted in history. Through the exploration of history, we can under understand what went wrong. In that regard, period films are significant.
“As a painter, it's another high to be able to create an ambiance. Doing sketches, choosing fabric...going over every detail — the whole process is deeply gratifying.”
Ali’s film "Umrao Jaan” (1981), considered a classic, narrates the story of a courtesan and poetess by the same name from 19th century Lucknow. The film had been acclaimed profusely for its in-depth depiction of that era and the high culture of Lucknow.
"Umrao Jaan” was screened yesterday at the festival.
Ali also said, “Bengalis are deeply impassioned about art. Needless to say, this was evident in Satyajit Ray too. His proximity alone was remarkable. One on the main objectives of cinema is to cross borders, creating a world without barriers. On that note, I would like to see more India-Bangladesh collaboration in films. Sharing writers and concepts could be a start.”
This was Farooq Shaikh's second visit to Dhaka. The consummate actor who had worked with Ray in “Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) said that the iconic filmmaker was “very methodical”.
About period films or historical drama, the actor said that he does not treat them differently from other genres. “Sure the costume is different. If the language is different, it needs special focus. Sometimes you need to deliver more melodrama without sounding fake but other than that a film is a film,” said Shaikh.
About his working relationships with leading ladies like Rekha, Shabana Azmi and Deepti Naval, Shaikh said, “These ladies are all remarkable performers. It's like a duet. In a duet when one singer delivers a brilliant note, his/her partner feels the urge to belt out a great pitch. Just like that, when your co-actor is delivering a brilliant performance, you raise your game.”
Having a theatre background trains one to memorise lines better and forget that there are people around when performing, said the thespian. According to him, he is comfortable in all three mediums — theatre, TV and films.
Farooq Shaikh is currently working on a film, titled “Club 60”, directed by Sanjay Tripathi. The film also features Sarika and Satish Shah, and follows a group of 60 something people who are trying to live life on their terms.