Please introduce the character of Azad and how is it different from all other characters you have played so far? I try and select characters that undergo some sort of inner journey in the story. I deliberately attempt different characters each time but Azad is also different as I wrote the script too but still left a lot of questions about the characters and empty spaces that I tried to fill as an actor. Please elaborate on the theme of the film and specifically on the word “offbeat” in one line for the film. The film is about the notion of freedom this person has and as the film progresses, he realises he is not “free” not even from his own past, let alone anything else. Offbeat means unconventional. Not clichéd or formulaic! ‘Azad’ features actors from all generations like Salman Shahid, Sabreen Hisbani and Sanam Saeed being in the younger lot. How was the experience? These people have been handpicked for the roles and they were all fabulous in what they brought to the movie. Also there are newcomers in the film. ‘I guess February has become the month of romance due to Valentine’s Day and the film has a strong poetic and romantic theme to it. So you never know it may become the movie to watch next month’ When do you plan to release this movie? Well after a few delays, most of which were beyond our control, we are finally happy to announce that the film will be out in the cinemas on February 9, 2018. I guess February has become the month of romance due to Valentine’s Day and the film has a strong poetic and romantic theme to it. So you never know it may become the movie to watch next month. How do you see independent cinema growing in Pakistan? I think it has scope and possibilities as long as the focus on developing original and challenging content is there. The talent is there and audiences are there but the need is to nurture original content and filmmakers with new ideas. Why did you venture in this genre instead of going for a commercial movie? Well, we did not do it as a business venture. It was more of a passion project and we wanted to make a low budget indie film Guerilla style. So the script developed rather organically. It’s a no formula with 12 masalay ki chaat. We did not make a film for the sake of making a film, but we made a film within a limited budget to tell a story, that people will remember and take home with perhaps and they will maybe think about it afterwards. How was the journey of making the film as it was your first feature film? The journey as a producer has been crazy. It’s like dancing on an ever shifting carpet. Luckily, I have a fabulous and supportive co producer and executive producer Hassan Naeem and for both of us it has been a great learning experience. What do you want the audience to take away from this film? The film has humor, comedic moments, beautiful music, poetry, love, comment on relationships, sadness and loss. To me, it’s like a piece of music or a poem I want people to feel and take a piece of it home with them and reflect on it in their time alone. ‘We did not make a film for the sake of making a film, but we made a film within a limited budget to tell a story, that people will remember and take home which perhaps and they will maybe think about afterwards’ When we talk about the craft of acting, tell us how do you approach the character when doing an independent film? Be it film, theatre or TV, any character that I attempt, I try and first respond intuitively to it and then chart its journey in the story. Where does it start from? Where does it go to? I try and respond as truthfully as possible to that journey. One tries to be there “in the moment”. Gimmickry doesn’t work for me! Script is absolutely the road map and then your own intuition, observation and research all comes into it. But when the director shouts “action”, you can only try and be “in the moment”. Of course, there are times when you don’t get it right too! What are your views on the current state of Pakistani cinema and also on the ongoing revival of Pakistani movies? The word revival is much hyped over by the media. It’s good that a new generation of filmmakers has arrived but it’s more due to the advancements in digital technology and multiplexes opening in shopping malls than anything else. We live in an age where you can make a film with an iPhone. But the infrastructure needed to make films on a big scale, the state has to get involved. How is ‘Azad’ different and what is the unique strategy you intend to use to attract cinemagoers? Every film is different I believe, but with ‘Azad’ as I said earlier, we attempted to tread an unconventional route. It’s a light hearted film with quirky characters and fun moments but also has an underlying sadness within. In promotional terms, the music, poetry and some of the dialogues from the films are being shared. There is no flashy CGI or special affects or explosions happening in our movie. What are your views on the promotion strategies filmmakers are using these days and what promotional strategy are you taking for ‘Azad’? Some of the promotional campaigns seem way over the top but I will not criticise anyone as I know how hard it is to make a movie as we lack infrastructures to support filmmakers. People are quick to criticise and dismiss films but making a film is a monumental effort especially independent films or those without any corporate or big financers behind them. This is the first feature film venture of Bling Motion Pictures and Roomi. How was the journey as a producer? It was frustrating at times but mostly rewarding and a learning experience! The writer is a public relations consultant. He Tweets at @KhurramZiaKhan and can be reached at kzk1972@gmail.com Published in Daily Times, January 27th 2018.