Join in as we talk to the pen that wrote the story of Fari, Junaid, Liza and Amber, navigating the highs and lows of cricket, dreams, ambitions, and life. If you’re still rooting for Fari, if you’re shedding a tear or more for Junaid’s lost dreams, if Amo’s story makes you want to sweep her in an all engulfing embrace and if Liza has earned your respect, you are a 22 Qadam fan! Read on as we ask the writer, Zeeshan Ilyas, to share the story behind the story!
“I consider myself an accidental writer.” Reveals Zeeshan Ilyas, humbly. “Engineer by education, I have switched a few boats before landing on this one. Although, the plan was to do something for the film festival circuit but somehow, I ended up writing and directing for TV. Besides 22 Qadam, I also wrote and directed almost half of Siyaah Series (Green Entertainment) along with a bunch of talented writers and directors.”
And for those who need to know (we do as well), go watch Unko Choti Na Mili – Siyaah Series on Green!
He goes on to explain further…how he ended up writing 22 Qadam.
“Through Imran Kazmi of IRK Films. We were college mates. He is a producer, I pretended to be a writer and he got duped!”
Oh well, that was humbly put, yet again! If pretending to be a writer gives us 22 Qadam, a story that has taken audiences on a crescendo of highs, lows, tears, joy and more, 22 Qadam is a drama that we thought was about cricket, but it’s turned about to be one about life and all its finely balanced layers, tell us if you agree!
The one message you want to give through Fari’s character.
“Follow your dreams. Don’t be afraid to forge your own path. Most likely, you’ll face backlash, hurdles and failures. Don’t despair, keep calm and carry on. If it is God’s will, you’ll reach your goal. But equally important are the lessons of sportsmanship. You don’t always win and there is no shame in falling short either. Consider it God’s will too, and learn to let go and move on as well.”
Fari’s character lies at the heart of the narrative – from calling her out as too selfish, to empathizing with her, feeling her pain and eventually, feeling emotionally invested in her moving journey, one can’t help but feel Fari’s life lessons have been too heavy for a soul that was pure and merely dared to dream big!
On juggling so many stories in one narrative – a fine balancing act.
“I am not so sure if I have mastered it that well. I am still learning myself … But sure, it takes quite a lot of balancing. In 22 Qadam, I religiously focused on character arcs, heavy outlining and turning points – a bit of plot engineering and the pieces fell into places themselves.”
And there, budding writers, that’s your cue – take a page out of Mr. Ilyas’s book and focus on your character arcs!
How many times do you scrunch up that paper and throw it in the trash and start again?
“Apparently, not enough. There is always an urge to tweak the new draft.” – Yeah, it pays to be critical of oneself, we see the result and audiences have failed to find fault with the intense narrative that is 22 Qadam!
Writer Zeeshan Ilyas revealed further that he had not finished writing the story when shooting began for the drama.
“”No”… responded the writer. “I try to write the entire story beforehand but I have seen writers who can write as they go. I wish I had that talent. … Writing a 26 plus episode serial is always a monumental task. The fear of not completing on time is greater than any other fear.”
He goes on to tell us where and how the stories come to him. Zeeshan Ilyas writes …”Everywhere! When it’s working and nowhere, when it’s not. I do have some complementing music on repeat though.”
Is 22 Qadam a story for young girls or their parents and society at large?
“I hope it is, of and for the society at large including girls, parents, men or anyone who has a wish or dream. And everybody does.”
Responds the writer, in a message full of hope.
“I try not to preach or give social messages consciously. Surely there are messages in 22 Qadam but they are more a by-product of the theme and topic rather than planned moral compassing. The fruits of our professions are highly subjective so it’s best to leave it to audience’s interpretation and deduction. IMO, a writer’s sole job is to tell a compelling and engaging story through compelling characters and an engaging plot.”
And that, dear folks, is the secret to a riveting narrative, going forward; a story that resonates with viewers = zero moral compassing.
Extensive Research & It Shows!
“These stories are obviously part fictional but based on reality as much as possible. We did extensive research on women cricket in Pakistan before embarking on this journey. Some of the real life stories of cricketer actors in 22 Qadam are a testament to that. IRK Films also produced a very good documentary on them that is available on its social media pages”
In a climate when writers are often directed to tweak the narrative for political or social correctness, we asked if the same was required here?
“That was the surprising and encouraging part. I had total freedom.” – Good to know, echoed a voice inside us!
Has any part of the story been perceived the way you didn’t want it to?
“When the story goes out of the writer’s hand, it’s the director’s story, then it’s the editor’s story, and then it’s in the hands of the audience. And they are free to perceive it any way they want. And they are always right.”
This philosophy from the writer was no doubt, a game changer. It is hard to have one`s creation exposed to multiple reviews, audience feedback and interpretation. A work of creation, once it leaves our mind, be it writing, or a painting, or even, a performance, now becomes a part of the audience`s domain, to do with it as they wish, and Zeeshan Ilyas`s spirit is truly commendable here!
Has any part been perceived differently but you loved the audience take?
“Every week. I especially enjoy the micro analysis.” – and once again, we love your acceptance and generosity to embrace feedback!
The question on our mind:
Why are dramas like 22 Qadam not getting the same traction some other stories whose views go viral? Is it the story, the marketing, the fan hype or simple – our drama diet needs a different flavour and it will take time? Do you feel under pressure to tweak the script?
“Almost all around the world, primetime TV is dominated by melodramas and soap operas. They gain popular traction for a reason. I believe more in evolution than revolution, so incorporating tried and tested tropes in new and reimagined themes and topics should lead to an acceptable middle ground. For really risky and experimental stuff, we have OTT now.”
Zeeshan Ilyas has really given us food for thought here. He seems to have his finger on the pulse of the Pakistani drama audience and what makes it click ß no different from global audiences actually, we just like to feel we`re different?
Fari’s character written from someone you know? What about Junaid and Liza and Amo? Even their father?
“All are fictional yet somehow real and familiar. We may not have seen them through the lens of Cricket but bits of them are all around us. The four main characters have the same goal and are at different points on the same journey. So in that sense, they are very similar.
But for me, flaws make characters. And it is indeed their diverse flaws, personalities, upbringing, burdens, experiences etc that make them
more unique. After that, it’s all about balance (Yin and Yang). Amber balances Fari. Liza balances Junaid.
Amma balances Abba balances Liza’s Dad and so on…”
And that, we have to say is a very poignant way to explain not only the character balance but also the writing genius behind the personas we see onscreen and why each character feeds off another – what a great way to flesh out the onscreen stories we have grown to love in merely a few episodes.
Liza’s character is so different from the typical “other woman” in Pakistani dramas. What was your rule book, write the anti-hero of what we see on TV?
Desperation makes good people do evil things. Almost all of the main characters in 22 Qadam are good people, it’s just that their circumstances, experiences and flaws push them to make bad choices. Liza’s redemption arc starts earlier than others, so it is more noticeable.
You have been very mindful of the male narrative. Where you showed men’s teams sledging the girls you also had characters like the dad, coach Qasim and Junaid. Was this a conscious effort or it just happened?
“Yes and No. It was a conscious effort too but in my experiences, in real life, these characters are the norm rather than exception.”
Are you a cricket lover? Your favourite cricketer, women’s team all time, and these days.
Surprise, surprise, the writer responds: “I watch football, sadly :p”
What next for you in the pipeline?
“I have always been fascinated by fantasy genre especially for long form TV. So I am currently writing and will direct, Inshallah, a Fantasy Romance Epic. So fingers crossed.”
And we look forward to the next narrative that`s about to escape that men, and a shot at direction …hmmm, interesting stuff!
Does the writer have any control over what he’s written after it leaves his hand.
“For a less than well established writer, it can be challenging to exert control. Depends on the writer’s personality too. We are a bit self obsessed and overly sensitive bunch and we cannot always be right. So you win some and lose some, but ultimately the director leads the visualization and execution, and should be trusted. Synergy rather than control should be the goal.”
Is it just us or is the writer-director formula working all too well here? That seems to be the case, and hence, the project speaks for itself!
Please give us the best feedback you have received so far.
“Dhoka dia aap ne.” We have to agree! But wonder which instance(s) he`s referring to. There were many in 22 Qadam, and we certainly couldn`t predict the plot twists!
Do you get criticism on 22 Qadam, any one criticism you received and was it valid?
“Yes, I do, and sometimes, very deservedly. And every criticism is valid, if it is not just for the sake of criticism.”
And that´s it folks, tell us if you`re watching the show and what you loved best about the narrative so far. Is it truly opening up space for more women-driven stories and on diverse genres? We certainly think so!
