Nakkash is a socio-political drama shot in the backdrop of Varanasi. Nakkash deals in the uniqueness of love towards mankind and its generosity. It follows the religion of love and forgets the race of religions which had been started by humans only. It teaches to leave the hatred and to follow the path of peace & love. God and Allah are the same; your work is your God. So follow it with a complete passion. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on 31 May.
- What is the Genre of the film “Nakkash”? Tell us something about the film.
Nakkash is a socio-political drama shot in the backdrop of Varanasi. Nakkash deals in the uniqueness of love towards mankind and its generosity. It follows the religion of love and forgets the race of religions which had been started by humans only. It teaches to leave the hatred and to follow the path of peace & love. God and Allah are the same; your work is your God. So follow it with a complete passion. However, the film is scheduled to release on 31 May.
Nakkash is the story of a craftsman named Allah Rakha Siddiqui, who is a widower in present Varanasi and lives with his only son Mohammad. Allah Rakha is a Muslim man who works on the designs and engraves the idols of Gods in the temple. Everyone in his community looks down upon him and also his son, Mohammad gets a refusal for Madarsa admission because of Allah’s profession. The trustee of the temple supports Allah a lot as he respects his art & creativity, which he believes is given to him by God. Soon, Allah gains popularity as a symbol of accord with a news article for which Munna, an aspirant politician loses his election ticket. What happens to Allah, a cast-off from his commune and disdained from Munna is the tale of NAKKASH ‘The Craftsman’.
I do not have any political stand, but I take stand as a filmmaker–Director Zaigham Imam
- Dozakh, Alif and now Nakkash, Banaras in the center for all the three films, is there any special reason?
There are many reasons to choose Banaras, but the two main reasons are, I myself belong from Banaras and have seen many social changes for a long time. And the second reason is Banaras has attained the status of cultural capital in the country. In the city of Kabir, the best way to understand the Hindu-Muslim relationship and the social fabric between them is not possible in other cities. My film is so far linked on the changes in the Hindu-Muslim relations in the country and the stereotype of fanaticism. I think if Banaras was not there then I could never say my stories.
- Your third movie is ready for release, where do you find yourself, share your experience?
Film making is a difficult task in itself, even more difficult after delivering the good one already. In the first movie you have less pressure and you can easily escape by saying that it is new beginning but performing in other third films is very important because no one will excuse you. As far as I can find myself, I am in a much better position. Cinema is a huge medium and it is not easy to understand. Among all these things it is also a matter of great pleasure that my two films have been released and one is going to be release on 31st May, and the public has already given much appreciation and love to the previous ones. What more a filmmaker need?
- These days, different genres of movies are being made, in such a way, what kind of audiences do you target to make a movie?
See, there has been a positive change in Indian cinema. Apart from masala films, there is also a preference for such films which are talking about those untouched aspects of society, which people do not even want to talk about. When I talk about the essence of my films, I simply want every age group to watch my movies and that’s possible only when you come up with a nice storyline.
- Hindus and Muslims are the center of all three films? So will this film help in to increase or decrease the distance between the two communities?
See, art is medium to spread positivity in the society. My films hurt those negative incidents, due to which the distances in the communities are increasing. You will be forced to think about the film and it is obvious that this film will be an eye opener and will reduce distances between the two communities. Just like journalist, writer and other artists have their own contribution in society; I am also contributing my part as being a film maker.
- In which state will the film fit in the current political scenario?
See, being a filmmaker I keep myself away from any kind of political scenario. As a filmmaker I do not have any political stand, but yes, as a film maker I take stand, which you see in my films. Today’s political scenario has affected the social structure of our country. You will see this in “Nakkash” also. Now it will depend on some people’s mentality how they are taking it.
- Could it have been possible to show any Hindu to work in the mosque?
Yes it can be absolutely. But the backdrop of my story is on art of craving and I haven’t found any such example in that genre. I have been a journalist by profession. Earlier, I wanted to make a documentary on those who carved in the temples of Banaras, but when a lot of people refused to talk about it on the camera then I decided to make a film. Well, to tell the truth, I think my films are examples of Hindu-Muslim unity, whether Muslim works in the temple or Hindu works in the mosque, both of these things are the same for me.
- How much your film will fill the energy in the social current scenario?
When the controversy arises on the right to speak, the film Nakkash shows the real scenario of human values and the brotherhood in the country. The film has realistic views of Hindu –Muslims relationship. Being a Muslim, I want to say on this forum that this country is mine as much as it’s of a person who belongs to any other religion and I have never experienced any religious discrimination in my entire life.
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