In Conversation with the Real Brains Behind Bin Roye & Diyar-e-Dil - Farhat Ishtiaq (The Writer)
Finally when I watched the trailer of the movie Bin Roye after an onrush of rumours, I became curious as hell to get to know the real person behind this project. And the first thing that came to my mind was about catching up with the writer whose pen has given birth to an outstanding script.
And when at the same time this was all going on in my mind, I had already gotten inspired by the ravishing endevours of Farhat Ishtiaq in Diyar-e-Dil. I just couldn't help praising her in each of my reviews regarding her writing skills for creating such a meaningful story like DeD.
And here I am in conversation with the very brilliant and talented Farhat Ishtiaq who has bestowed upon HUM TV some of her great writings in the face of hit TV serials like Humsafar, Diyar-e-Dil and soon to be launched Bin Roye- the movie.
Let's get started!!!
1. How did it all start becoming a writer? What's your story?
Ans: I think writing was in my genes. When I was a kid I used to entertain myself with my own created stories. I was always a dreamer. At night while staring at the stars from my window I imagined different characters & stories. It was something I did unintentionally, without even knowing what I was doing.
My elder sister was the only one with whom I shared my stories and she loved them. Later onwards I started creating stories for her. They were never written. Just like Qissa Goyi, I told those stories to her.
It was during my last year at Engineering University when I wrote my first short story and sent it in a writing competition to a monthly digest. To my greatest surprise it was published next month
2. Have you always wanted to be a writer? (And was there a particular moment you thought, I can do this!'?)
Ans: As I've told, I was an Engineering student so my chosen career was definitely Civil Engineering. But Allah had some other plans for me. Even after my initial stories & Novella got published, I didn't start thinking to pursue a career in writing. After getting my Engineering Degree I started working in an Engineering firm as a Structural Engineer but couldn't stop myself from writing. Later I left Engineering and became a novelist and then a screenwriter. So I guess Allah chose for me to be a writer.
3. What was your first novel? How did it feel then?
Ans: It was a short story with the title "Khushbu, Badal, Chand, Hawa". I was a student at that time and very young so obviously my reaction was a bit childish lolz. I screamed with joy. Had Bhangra wanted everyone to know that I'm a published author Hahaha.
4. What was it like writing Diyar e Dil and Bin Roye?
Ans: If you are asking about novels then honestly speaking Diyar-e-Dil as a novel was not my best thing. It could have been written better which I tried to do in the script. I personally feel Diyar e Dil s script is far better than the original novel. I'm planning to rewrite Diyar e Dil's novel with all the additions that I've made for the script. In my opinion Diyar e Dil's script is my best script till date. Diyar e Dil s critics can disagree with me.
Bin Roye Aansoo is amongst my best novels. I cried and laughed with Saba. Saba's character is very close to my heart.
5. What did you do when you finished writing?
Ans: I reviewed and proofread my novel /script. I am my own very harsh and brutal critic. So after the first draft comes the critic Farhat Ishtiaq herself. I have a habit of criticizing my writings a lot.
Sometimes I just wish to go easy on myself but the perfectionist in me never let me do so.
6. Did you have any idea that your characters will come to life on-screen? Or did you always write for TV?
Ans: No I never had this idea.
7. Have you ever thought about writing a sequel of your stories since they always turn out to be great hits on TV?
Ans: No. This thought never crossed my mind. Although viewers wanted a sequel for Humsafar but I don't think it's a good idea.
8. What did you have in mind when you were developing the characters of Diyar e Dil?
Ans: Family ties, relationships and love. It was a journey which my characters took to find out whether love is enough for us or do we need blood relations also? Can a person survive without his/her parents, siblings and family? My characters chose different paths and some of them later regret their decisions. How one generation's mistakes bring troubles to the next generation was also a big problem which my characters faced.
9. What have you been always fascinated of? Did anything ever influence or inspire you?
Ans: I've always been fascinated with the complexities of human nature. I love to explore human nature always. A lot of things inspire me. Sometimes just being alone and having a long walk inspires me to write. Rain, sea, a cup of coffee, a kind gesture anything can give me the inspiration to write.
10. Did you receive any kind of criticism regarding your work ever since Humsafar, Diyar e Dil and soon to be launched Bin Roye?
Ans: Any? Are you kidding? Lolz!!! I do receive a lot of criticism. I don't mind criticism as long as it is constructive & positive.
11. Have you ever been under any kind of pressure while writing?
Ans : Pressure. No. But I always feel a sense of responsibility. My readers / viewers love me. They have very high expectations from me. I don't want to disappoint them so I have to work harder & harder to meet their expectations.
12. Are you working on any projects right now?
Ans: Yes
13. Which character did you enjoy the most writing from the 3 dramas? (Humsafar, DeD and Bin Roye)
Ans: Humsafar: Khirad
Bin Roye : Saba
Diyar e Dil : Agha Jaan, Arjumand and Wali.
To pick only one among them is very difficult. You can't ask a mother about her favorite kid
14. Now that Bin Roye is about to hit the big screen and cast images seem to be everywhere, what are you expectations from it?
Ans: Expectations are very high. Insha-Allah it will be the biggest hit of Pakistani cinema. Everyone from the producer to the director & cast and the entire team of Bin Roye had worked really hard on this project.
15. Has your work ever affected your personal life?
Ans: No. Alhamdolliah it never happened to me.
16. Talk to us about your writing routine; what's a typical writing day for you?
Ans: usually I write for 8- 10 hours in a day.
17. People would love to know about your family life. Would like to share a bid with us?
Farhat Ishtiaq with mother
Ans: I have a very loving family Alhamdolliah. I have a perfect environment & atmosphere for my writing at my home. My family loves me, they tolerate me. YES!! TOLERATE me. Being a writer I'm very moody & temperamental. I have mood swings. Believe me, to live with a writer is not easy. But my family accepts and owns me with all my flaws.
18. Final question (promise!): do you have any advice for the yet-to-be-published writers reading this?
Ans: so you want to be a writer. Ok great! But are you prepared to travel on a long, lonely road? Yes writing is rewarding. It will get you fame but it is exhausting also. Writing is a very lonely profession. Are you prepared to be all alone with your fictional characters? If yes then come inside this beautiful world of imagination.
In the end I would like to thank all my readers / viewers for their love & appreciation. It means a lot to me.
Lastly thanks Zeresch Gill for inviting me to this forum.
Love you all!!
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