Sania Saeed, Yasra Rizvi & Hajra Yamin spoke about their views, why Shanaas is a special project and what propelled them to make Shanaas in an exclusive. Read on to know more.
Green Entertainment is bringing us a plethora of unexplored drama genres on Pakistani screens. Among the ones to be appreciated by fans and critics alike is Shanaas. Written by Adarsh Ayaz and directed by the abundantly talented Yasra Rizvi, the drama mysteriously journeys through the secrets of the past unraveled and how it would impact family bonds. As audiences follow Aneesa’s turbulent journey of discovering the truths about her life, her identity and past, the storyline also brings to surface the age old secrets while testing the bonds of the family. With ‘Shanaas’, viewers will get an understanding of healing, how families need to stick together in trying situations while promising an epic narrative.
Produced by Q&K Productions in association with Multiverse Entertainment, Shanaas features a highly acclaimed cast, led by Hajra Yamin as Aneesa. Accompanying her are esteemed actors Sania Saeed, Shamim Hilaly, Arez Ahmed, Shahzad Nawaz, Adnan Shah Tipu, Adnan Jeelani and Kashif Hussain, who deliver captivating performances and add depth to their respective characters.
We hosted the 3 trailblazing women of Shanaas at FUCHSIA HQ and we share bits of the illuminating conversations we had on Shanaas, what drove them to create the project and so much more:
What Drove You To This Project?
Yasra Rizvi (Director): While addressing the struggles of a director in Pakistan, she said: “It’s difficult to be a director in Pakistan because of the lack of resources. You are basically a manager too” She also added how “I’m the only female director on Green’s lineup right now” “I had come across this script and others, I really liked it because there were some integral elements going forward like interfaith marriage and the fact that even while that is religiously and legally okay, people pick and choose and end up being religious according to their convenience and I liked that aspect. It’s a common problem”
While further highlighting how authenticity was her biggest concern. “I was conscious of showing it authentically, the first thing I think above everything else is how the content should be authentic”
Sania Saeed: “Initially it was Yasra Rizvi being the director, I had not even read the script but knew I wanted to do this project because Yasra would not do something that was not worth the time and effort!”
“I was certain whatever my character would be, I would have a lot of fun with it and be challenged as an actor. Later, when I read the script I said “Yeh tou humaray yahan banta he nae hai, yeh genre”
“Even the fact that Hajra was in the cast and then even Shahzad Nawab Saab. I had actually never worked with him and met him after about 20-25 years. We would seldom cross paths in formal settings.”
Hajra Yamin: “Among many things it was the fact Yasra was directing the drama and it came at a point in life when I was going through the most vulnerable time in life, I thought this could be my catharsis and maybe I can channel my vulnerability through this.”
Sania Saeed Sends A Shout Out To The Men In The Project
Sania took a moment to give the men in the project an extra mention: “I also want to send a shout out to all the men in the project.” Speaking about her co-star Shahzad Nawab she said: “Shahzad saab is a senior actor, a great persona and the way he was adhering to the discipline Yasra had maintained on the set was commendable. No matter how many times he had to shoot a scene or keep learning his lines and rehearsing, he would be at ease! Even Shamim Apa being a part of the cast who I absolutely adore!”
Messages For The Audience
We asked if, apart from the genre being a breath of fresh air, were there any more messages they are aiming for audiences to receive?
Sania Saeed: “I think the audiences are fully receiving the messages we aimed at, they are noticing all the things we were trying to say and we are very happy about it! Because humay baar baar yehi kaha jata hai audience ko samajh nae ayegi aur audience ko actually samajh mai araha hai.”
Hajra Yamin: “There are certain messages the audiences will register – the nuances and details are intentionally loud. Parts of human nature are highlighted, how families need to stick to each other and yeh hum nay cheekh cheekh kay bataya hai!”
Why Do We Still Have Such Rigid Views About Adoption?
Sania Saeed: “In patriarchal societies, the question of having or not having biological ties matters purely for economic reasons and property reasons, nobody wants to admit why you really need to know who the father is but other than that it’s more of a society thing.”
On the character and why one would want to find out more about their origins: “Aneesa feels she was rejected, any child who was abandoned would feel rejected so she wants to know her parents also because she wants to know why she was rejected for shanaas. She also spoke about the drama being multi layered including depiction of an inter faith marriage. Humari society mai hasab nasab important hai kyun kay yeh status quo maintain karnay mai kaam ata hai.”
“Sure genetics help to detect diseases and issues that need attention and for adopted children it can pose a question mark but to reject a child just because they are abandoned or adopted is no reason! Yes, the child can have his own biological and psychological need or a quest to seek. Other than that, it’s hypocritical, it’s a superiority complex! With no place in society anymore.”
Hajra Yamin: “I honestly have no idea, I actually want to adopt a child! Everyone has their personal choices but adopt na kar kay people are depriving themselves of this happiness. Agar generational trauma he sari life sae karna hai why not bring in another child!”
How Do Mothers Strive To Raise Empowered Daughters
Sania Saeed: “First of all, you need to yourself respect your daughters, you need to understand, believe and act upon the fact that your daughters deserve to be respected. It is their inherent birth right! Mujhay ya meri beti ko respect daykay app ehsaan nae karaye! And to take on that brunt on themselves is a maternal instinct. Most of the the times because the mothers are helpless and have spent helpless lives themselves so their instinctive advice to protect their child is to ask them to submit. Submitting will be the key to staying alive and earning respect but no, koi kisi say baatmeezi nae karsakta.”
“Agar app apni bachi ko respect kartay hain tou app kabhi bhi shaadi kay naam pay, security kay naam pay usay aisi jagah nae bhejay gay jahan uski izzat nae hoti. It is only going to come out of women who have either empowered themselves or are now finding the strength to break the chain.”
Hajra Yamin: “There’s one thing jiski importance ka logo ko andaza nai hai, jo apki poori zindagi sawar sakti hai. Agar ap ka parent ap ko bolay kay apka koi kuch nae bigar sakta. Beta jo karna hai kero mai tumharay peechay khara houn. It’s not always a financial backing that’s necessary but as you grow older, you start to look within and realize your isolation because the family backing is the foundation of your life. The one phrase – I love you and you can fall back on me will change your childs life and confidence!”
On What Lies Do To Relationships
Sania Saeed: “Its not so much the lies but the intent that matters. The whole relationship comes into question! The love, the respect, all of it.”
Hajra Yamin: “For me the relationship turns to be beyond repair, there is an air of fear in the room! Dar mai konsa maza hai zindagi guzarnay ka!” What wise words and ones we should seek to live by….
One Special Thing About Your Character? Why Is It Close To Hajra’s Heart?
Hajra Yamin: “It is very close to my heart, the role came to me when I lost my dad. It was cathartic for me in a lot of ways, there were a lot of confrontational scenes with my onscreen dad and I think I broke from my character which is not really a good thing but Yasra bought me back! What is better than meeting women who have your back!”
Yasra Rizvi’s Take On The Industry Conditions & Being A Woman In The Industry
She shared: “There is a filter between what works and what doesn’t, it’s not like anyone can put whatever they want on tv but rather just whatever is safe according to their filters. Especially when it comes to societal and patriarchal systems where women’s stories are being heard more, the quality is a separate debate. But until something fits our social construct it won’t be popularized. It’s what the audience accepts.
“There is no sanctity of the process due to lack of resources, time and money. It’s compromised the sanctity of the process in terms of script, production, pre production level factors. Sometimes I think we are so attuned to listening to men, … a woman is twice as much because they aren’t taken as seriously! You have to be loud because there’s so much conditioning to rather only listen to the instructions of men”
These 3 women are surely powerhouses in the Pakistani entertainment industry with iron clad resilience and view points that could enlighten you any day. Have you been watching Shanaas? What do you like best about the drama?
