Critically acclaimed Urdu-language film ‘My Pure Land’ is about the story of Nazo Dharejo, a woman in Sindh who fought off 200 bandits to save her home. The man who plays Nazo’s father, Tanweer Shah, is a tall, soft-spoken actor who is an integral part of the film. One of the most heartwarming layers of the story is the relationship between Nazo and her father who teaches her to be strong and never let go of what is right and what is rightfully theirs. Nazo’s father’s role required gentility, finesse but also required the role to be impactful and strong. Sarmad Masud, the director of ‘My Pure Land’, cast perfectly Tanweer Hussain for the role and we caught up with him at the Dubai International Film Festival, 2017, where the film was screened to packed houses.
You’ve seen the film for the first time. How has the feedback been so far?
I saw another screening again. It shows you a lot more details the next time around. The feedback was really great. Everyone I met was really kind – whether or not they knew my language. They liked my expression and my body language. That obviously made me happy. But that may be because I was in front of them and they might just be wanting to make me happy. But as an actor, you always see room for improvement and you see the many ways you can make this better.
The actor says people know that he likes to live in his own world and doesn’t grovel for roles. “I think I’m a little rude”
Was there something specific someone said that made you feel really happy about your performance?
The moderator for one of our QnAs was Menakshi – she told me that she saw me act even beyond the dialogs. That was really nice to hear. (Meenakshi Shedde is an Indian journalist and film critic).
There were a lot of difficulties in the role as well as the shooting. Sarmad also mentioned that you were in the hospital during the shooting. What happened?
The jail was newly constructed. There were fumes from the cement and the bricks. It was really hot and humid when we were shooting. To show that I was sweating, there was a spray that I had to get. So one day I just fainted and I had to get IV fluids. They wanted to stop the shoot but I said no. They had spent so much money on the set, I told them I wanted to go ahead with the shooting.
How did you land this role?
A friend of mine came to me to chat one day. He got a call from Sam’s assistant who wanted to know where he was. He told him, “I’m here with a friend” – so Sam’s assistant asked – who is this friend who’s so important that you didn’t make it to the auditions? So my friend said, “His name is Tanweer Hussain” so the assistant asks him, “Is this the same Tanweer who did Ram Laal in the play Sougandhi?” Sougandhi was a play by Manto. So my friend asked me if I wanted to go. I said no because I had no idea about the film or the people doing the film. So Sam’s assistant talked to me and reminded me that once upon a time he had come to me when he was still a student at National College of Arts (NCA). So I sat on my friend’s bike and went for the audition. I did the scene where I tell my daughters they shall not cry. After I was done, Sam pulled up a chair next to me and said, “You’re the first guy who isn’t loud.” Then he started to explain the film and I gathered that he knew his work. And I understood that he liked me for this role. I still wasn’t hopeful for the role though. A lot of people start films like these but never really end up making it. But I got Sam’s assistant’s call before I could reach home.
What was the most heartrending part of the film for you?
The relationship between the father and the daughter is the most emotional for me. It’s the kind of relationship which, even if fictional, touches the heartstrings. I cried during the scenes in the film. When Suhaee turns around and asks me if I am okay. I cried.
What is it that you want to do in the future?
One obviously wants to do more and more good work. I want to do good work. I haven’t worked a lot. I never go to people and ask for work. People know I work and I do good work. People also know that I like to live in my own world and I don’t grovel for roles. I think I’m a little rude.
How so?
When people don’t know what they’re doing, when they are saying one thing and doing another thing. So I tell them straight away that they should know what they are doing. I write as well – and some directors get upset with me that I stick to what I have written. And I stand by what I write because it’s my story, it’s my creation. So how can I let someone rearrange the story or the sentences? If you don’t like what I’ve written, leave it. How can you take some and leave the other bits that you don’t like?
Do you have any message for the viewers of the film?
It’s simple to me. Your right is your right. And you shouldn’t leave it. But personally, the kind of person I am – I say that if it creates violence or feuds, you can leave your right.
Published in Daily Times, March 30th 2018.