Aspirations and dreams that are larger-than-life
To make the on-screen character a realistic portrayal, Sheikh watched footage and interviews of Naseem Hamid.- Photo courtesy: Aamina Sheikh
KARACHI: Some stories should be told again and again … especially this one. This story revolves around Amina, a girl coming from a low-income background but having great aspirations and larger-than-life dreams, aching to do something big in her life.
“Bhaag Amina Bhaag” is a commendable effort by our entertainment industry, a telefilm based on an untold real life story of Naseem Hamid – a female Pakistani athlete, who became the fastest woman in South Asia when she won a gold medal in the 100-metre sprint at the 11th South Asian Games in Bangladesh.
Amina, impersonating Hamid’s character, is bold, brave and a complete tomboy. She lives with her parents, three brothers and a physically-disabled neighbour, who is also her childhood friend.
Confidence is not her problem but right direction and guidance is something which she needs. One day her childhood friend, Haris (who lives with her) takes her to participate in a school’s sports event. This opportunity boosts her confidence and makes her realise what wonders she can do with her capability to run fast. However, the typically-conservative surrounding does not encourage the girl to take part in activities outside the home and kitchen, let alone traveling abroad to take part in athletic competitions.
A well-written script with wit and humour knitted in the dialogues along with the thrill and seriousness of the subject gave a great boost to the dynamics of the film. To deliver a successful telefilm, the project took on board a talented team comprising Aamina Sheikh who played the character of Amina, Shehroze Subzawari (Haris), Lubna Asalam (mother), Rashid Farooqi (father) and a very egoistic elder brother well-played by Paras Masroor.
The film draws out an objective message of a girl who wants to live her dreams and aspirations despite the difficult situation she has to go through to get them, a story which is deeply rooted in our society.
Speaking to Aamina Sheikh about how strong a message the film delivered, the actress said, “I felt very strongly while doing this film and after viewing it, (I realised) this piece of work truly defines the identity that Pakistani cinema should signify. Not only did this film have a progressive plot and encouraging message but more importantly it was rooted and very relevant to us as a nation.”
Talking about the technicalities of the project Sheikh added that the film was shot on a camera (RED) that is being used in film industries as a substitute for film. Its visual quality and depth matches that of a 35mm projection reel. Along with that, the audio design/film score of this project was executed like that of a feature film. As an industry, we have what it takes to revive our cinema and after doing this film, Sheikh stated that she strongly believed that like the Iranian cinema, which has emerged with an identity of its own, “Bhag Amina Bhag” is just a glimpse of the kind of cinematic identity that we can and should continue to develop in our country.
To make the on-screen character a realistic portrayal, Sheikh watched footage and interviews of Naseem Hamid. “I had already been following Hamid’s progress ever since she had emerged in to the limelight. I remember whenever I read up on her, or saw her performances and interviews, I would wish that I could get a chance to re-enact a character like her. So this project is literally a dream come true for me!” said Sheikh.
Plays like “Bhaag Amina Bhag” are a source of inspiration for all of us; they should be done more often for the audiences so that we can get a taste of positivity in all this gloom around us. With many heroes in all walks of life and numerous untold stories around us, all we need is to put them together and bring it to the masses.
As Amos Bronson said, “Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.”
