Pakistani screenwriter Khalilur Rehman Qamar's recent appearance on Ahmad Ali Butt's Excuse Me Podcast stirred waves, offering a candid glimpse into the acclaimed writer's world. From divulging insights into on-set conflicts to candid revelations about his perspectives on renowned personalities like Mahira Khan and Mehwish Hayat, Qamar's discussion provided an unfiltered and intriguing peek into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the industry.

Butt asked the writer about on-set fights, to which Qamar asked, "What fights?" He then candidly explained that he removes an actor from his set if they're not honest with their work. "Any actor I've worked with twice, I'm not fighting with them. He's in love with me and I'm in love with him. If you throw tantrums, then no one in Pakistan can throw a bigger tantrum than I can. If you own the project, you're honest with it, place me at your feet. I will sit there, openly," claimed Qamar. He added, "If God has made you reach here, respect your work and protect it."

Qamar also asserted that no one should ever disrespect a writer. He also denied the presence of a "city war" between Lahore and Karachi, saying that the two cities are taking turns inflicting cruelty on one another. "You've sunk the industry in Lahore once, you'll sink it in Karachi again," he said. The writer also did not agree with the term "entertainment." He maintained, "Don't call it entertainment, call it a university. The big lessons we've learned haven't come from our universities or parents, they've come from films and dramas. Don't you see this today? Aren't dramas teaching? Why is there such a debate on the same?"

Butt also questioned Qamar about who made him a "self-proclaimed" authority on women, given that the writer admitted that 100% of his work is about the same gender. "Don't agree with my writing," he responded. "Have I asked you to? I simply present my case. Bring a counterargument." Shedding light on why he writes about women and not men, he replied, "I don't believe in men. Society is run by women. Whoever's working, I'll address them. Men are 'dou number.' A man does not have the capability to say no. This is what he lacks. Dignity and loyalty are a woman's domain." He also claimed, "No one speaks more about women's rights than I do."

Qamar, whilst speaking about director Nadeem Baig, shared that they have a 'dosti jaisi dosti.' However, he stated that he could never commit professional dishonesty for friendship. This tied in with when he was asked to choose between Punjab Nahi Jaungi and London Nahi Jaunga. He chose the former, asserting that the latter was "half badly directed by Nadeem Baig." He further said that had it been a worse-written film than Punjab Nahi Jaungi, it wouldn't have done more business.

"It was a better film than Punjab Nahi Jaungi," said Qamar. "I am telling you, that was not the calibre of Nadeem Baig's direction." When asked not to place blame on Nadeem, he responded, "I will not place blame on anyone but him, he's the only responsible person in the film. What was my fault? It was a wonderful script, it was lauded all through the world." The host reminded Qamar that he was responsible for casting. "What was the casting? Now don't get into this. But my main concern is the main lead. I give a margin for discussion for the other cast members. There are two, three people whom I am sure of. I keep them," replied Qamar. Butt egged him on, saying that he wasn't admitting his mistake. "London Nahi Jaunga was a better-written film than Punjab Nahi Jaungi," reiterated the writer angrily.

Qamar also opened up on stars like Humayun Saeed, Mehwish, and Mahira. "I have had many differences with Humayun Saeed," he said, "but the fervour with which I have seen that person work hard, you are a witness, he is a giant producer of the country right now. On his set and personally, he's very down-to-earth. He doesn't sit there like a producer, he sits like an actor at the disposal of the director."

Talking about Mehwish, he stated, "When I saw Teri Meri Kahaniyaan, I called Mehwish after two, three years. I was not on talking terms with her. And I allowed her to work in my telefilm...We were friends." Getting distracted by a question about Mahira, the writer professed, "I'm not upset at Mahira. I hate that act of hers. I'm not a hateful man. I'm not upset at her. I can be upset at Nadeem Baig, Humayun, you. That is not a big issue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 21 2023

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