The writer of the globally acclaimed drama, Kabli Pulao spoke to us in an exclusive and shared his inspiration behind the story and more!
Zafar Mairaj is a prominent Pakistani drama writer. He primarily writes in Urdu but has also written in Brahui and Balochi. He has written more than 50 drama serials, plays and telefilms for PTV and private networks such as Aaj TV, Indus TV, Geo Entertainment, ARY Digital and Hum TV also.
Zafar Mairaj’s work has been praised for its realism, social commentary and strong female characters. He is the famed writer of Kabli Pulao, the drama that began its journey as an undiscovered gem in the realm of Pakistani Dramas, soon emerging as a global sensation, it rightfully earned its acclaim. Kabli Pulao defied conventions, presenting a narrative devoid of traditional hero or heroine archetypes. Far from the ordinary love story, it stood as a seamless work of art intertwining societal taboos with an uncommon and extraordinary love tale.
The team was quite excited for the writer’s perspective and of course we posed our questions to the mind behind the narrative as he visited FUCHSIA HQ for an exclusive.
Why did you choose to name the drama, Kabli Pulao?
Zafar Mairaj: “I really like Kabli Pulao, I also wrote Dum Pukht. Plus humaray yahan log khanay kay bohat shoqeen hain. Kabli Pulao is also simple, samajh bhi tou ana chahye naam. Asaan baat karni chahye bejaye iskay hum itni cheezo mai lapait den. Asaan ko dekhana bhi mushkil kaam hai.“
What was your inspiration behind the drama? Is it based on a true story?
Zafar Mairaj: Mai sach baat bataounga. Mai khud tableegh mai gaya tha young age mai, aisay he ek ailaan suna tha. Aisay he ek banda khara wa tha jisnay kaha, meri behen hai jo bewa ho chuki thi in the 80’s. In those times Afghan Muhajideen, ek waqt ka khana bhi unkay liye mushkil tha. Tou usnay kaha uska koi naan nafqa bardasht karay. Tou yeh shariah tor pay bhi sae hai. Tou yeh ek Afghan ka courage tha, hum tou ek bewa ko dobara statue bana kay rakh detay hain kay tum safaid kapray pehn kay beth jao tou uski courage mujhe bohat baad mai akay samajh ayi and it was good.
Wo ailaan meray andar rehgaya aur chalta gaya, uski kahani banti gae aur jab mai iktawan saal ka hua tou ailaan wali larki bhi iss age ke thi jis age ka mai tha tou mainay kahani ko uss tarha jor dia.
The message and what he wanted to convey!
Zafar Mairaj: Zahir hai society ka point of view bhi dekhaya, socha kahan set karay tou Kashif Nisar (director) ke suggestions kay sath we decided androon Lahore mai karen. Larki Kabul ke thi tou larka Lahore ka, mujhay sara Pakistan ka bhi culture aur Afghanistan ka dekhana tha.
Mai adha Afghani hou, mai jahan rehta tha wahan sath border hai Afghanistan ka, meray liye mushkil nae tha samjhna, hum unkay sath palay baray hain, humari dostiyan rae hai bohat saray Barbeena aur Abdullah jaison say.
Does a story always have a purpose?
Zafar Mairaj: Jab aap kahani suna rahe hotay hou, tou usmay bohat saray comments hotay hain. Jab tak kahani mai koi social, political comment nae hou then it is not a part of literature. It is important to include social or political messages. Sirf chaska kay liye thori honi chahye.
Since civilization began, our stories have had morals of speaking the truth, being just and keeping a balance. For one to convey your norms, values and customs, a kahani is a tool. So we must use it in the same way.
Meray nazdeeq iss kahani mai pooray Afghanistan ke barbaadi, uskay log, unki journey aur humaray log, humari society ke realities hain. Both of our cultures clashing, the achai and burai comparison which was important to showcase. Jo writers ka maqsad hona chahye, wo ravaiyay, kirdaar discover karta hai. Hum bohat kam raviyoun mai qaid hou chukay hain.
Who loved whom first? Barbeena or Haji Mushtaq?
Zafar Mairaj: Yeh behes bhi mai dekh kay muskaraya karta tha! Muhabbat kay konsay dayray hotay hain? Yeh shuru hogae ya khatam hogae? Yeh bohat undefinable hai. Muhabbat usnay kaha kay ehsaan hai. Wo usey pyaar karnay lagi ya nae karnay lagi? Arey yaar, aurat itni waseeh hai. A woman is not an object!
Haji Mushtaq is a plain white canvas and Barbeena painted colours onto him
Zafar Mairaj
Why was it Haji Mushtaq and not Baraan in the end?
Zafar Mairaj: Ham abhi bhi materialistically soch raye hain, bringing future, safety, money and age into it. Wo aurat tou khud tum dono ko nae mangti, wo tou degh laga kay bethi hai. Tum log kya save usko save karaye hou?
Wo aurat kehti hai aur kehna chahye, meri apni identity hai, wo poori qoum ko represent karahi hai, bomb aur goliyon say nikal kay aei hai.
Why didnt Ghaffar face even more severe repercussions?
Zafar Mairaj: Ghaffar ko mainay bohat pitwaya, Baran say likin. I agree aur bura hona chahye tha but Kashif didn’t agree, he asked me to mellow down in some places!
Did you envision the performances to be exactly like we saw?
Zafar Mairaj: Sabeena was Barbeena, Sabeena wasn’t acting or portraying. I dont understand wo kya karti thi? Even Abdullah nay mujhay hairan kardia. So many Afghani friends didn’t even believe he is not Afghani!
Watch the full conversation here!
