LAHORE – For the first time in the history of Pakistani cinema, the suffering of the natives of Swat Valley under Taliban rule in 2009 will be brought to light in shape of a movie.
Pakistan Army ousted Taliban from Swat in an offensive in Operation Rah-e-Raast in 2009 after peace treaty signed between government and Taliban broke. Over 165 army men sacrificed their lives for clearing the conflict-hit valley while around 2 million people were displaced and took temporarily resident in other parts of country.
Versatile actor and director Jamal Shah will screen the film – ‘‘Revenge of the Worthless’ – which is based on ordeals and struggle of the people who were dreadfully got hit by insurgency and used to live life under the Taliban’s short timed rule.
Jamal Shah told The Nation yesterday that the idea of making a film on insurgency was conceived when the unwanted scenes were appeared on national front. “Those horrific tales mobilised me to make a film to highlight the atrocities faced by the resident of Swat valley under the Taliban siege,” he said.
“I want youth of the country to see the film just to realize what identify means, and on what cost identify of the people of Pakistan has been restored from extremists and terrorists who stolen and snatched the right to live of people on the power of gun,” he added.
The soundtrack includes the vocals talents of Jamal Shah, qawwal Zafar Raza and a Pashto rap-song by newcomer Sunny Khan, amongst others.
The movie features Firdous Jamal, Ayub Khoso, Jamal Shah, Shamil Khan and Maira Khan. The movie is primarily in Urdu, featuring glimpses of Pashto and English. The film is set to release on July 22 nationwide.
Pakistan and Afghanistan historically faced the challenge of extremism and terrorism for past decades and their efforts to bring peace in the region are laudable. “Beautiful valley of the Swat was under siege where rule of gun prevailed for months and situation of uncertainty prevailed there. From education to basic rights everything was under constant threat under the Taliban rule, the most painful thing this was happened to my beautiful country which is no less than any other country,” he said
“I decided to make a flick and contribute my efforts to record the unsung heroes of the collective struggle to revitalize live of resident so the land who were living in limbo,” he stressed.
Jamal Shah said that many of the families were migrated to the other areas when the genesis of conflict begun in the areas, their ordeal was itself painful, but the film revolves around the story of a struggle of native people, who refused to give up on hope, and confront with evil with equal footing.
“They {Taliban} shattered the culture of peace and harmony in the valley and wanted to prevailed culture of fear”, he said.
Replying to a query on the threats upon making a film on such topic, he said a concerned artist should comment and express his concrete and mature views on the contemporary issues otherwise he has not relevancy to be a part of artist fraternity.
Taliban not only attacked the valley but on our cultural narrative which gives us oxygen and a reason to live, he asserted. “Extremists and terrorists wanted to uproot the nation from our identity which gives us a reason to take our decisions either that is political, religious, sharing the stories of those who fought in time of sheer oppression form the invaders was part of my moral responsibility too,” he said.
The Pak-Army cleared the area in months-long operation against Taliban, which was led the then General Officer Commanding Swat, Major General Ejaz Awan.
Summit Entertainment presents ‘Revenge of the Worthless’ is set to release on 22 July 2016 under production banner of Hunerkada Films.
The film is also a directorial debut of versatile actor, painter, and a social worker Jamal Shah.
“I collected the ordeals of the common people and from the people of intelligentsia and then completed the shooting in 43 days,” Jamal said. “We were struck with an unfortunate event in which we lost the data of the movie which was in post-production proves. Otherwise we were ready to launch the film in May 2015,” he asserted.
“I will also make a film on subject of Balochistan unrest through which people living in the province have been facing problems,” he said.