Asghar Nadeem Syed optimistic of new lot of writer

Ace dramatist, poet and columnist Asghar Nadeem Syed says the new lot of writers and directors is very talented and hard working. They have knowledge of Facebook, Internet, are aware of latest technologies being used in filmmaking and drama worldwide.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Times, Syed said he was optimistic of the new generation that it would bring a revolution in the showbiz industry. He said recently he wrote an American serial, 'After the 9/11', in the backdrop of the 9/11 attacks. The crew associated with this serial is entirely American. It would be shot in the US and broadcast in English and Urdu, he added.

Syed said he has also written an American film called 'The Missing'. The film's producer is Younas Panwaar, and the crew is entirely American. The scripts of both these projects were complete and would be on the set within a few days. He said Pakistan was not competing with any other country. "We're doing our job and they are doing theirs," he said.

The veteran writer said Pakistani dramas were now being made for the international market. "My dramas are being watched in America, England and all over the world. The viewership of our dramas is rising very fast, but presently the viewership of Indian drams is better because India is a country with a huge population. Their budgets and market is many many times greater than that in Pakistan," he asserted. But, subject-wise, he said, Pakistani dramas were far better than Indian.

He went on to say that traditional filmmakers always complained that the government was not cooperating with them, while "I say that they should make films themselves". He said there was no doubt the Pakistan film industry had declined, and an international-level investor could make a film now. He also advocated making more and more multiplex cinemas.

Syed said he got his inspiration from literature as well as from good English and Urdu movies, besides his own observation. These days he says his dramas on air included 'Dil To Bhatkey Ga', 'Keemat' and 'Band Gali', adding that legendary actors Sahail Asghar, Abid Ali, Talat Hussain and Shakeel got their breaks through his dramas.