In the year 1988, when three 10-year olds met for the first time at their neighbourhood video center in Lahore’s Cavalry Ground area, neither they nor the world have any way of knowing that one day these lads will not only be running their own TV Production House but may also one day surpass with their own aesthetically pleasing production most of what was on offer at the video center.

As the story told goes they ended up viewing ‘everything’ on display at the center and discussed most of it critically with each other. This became the trio’s first ‘schooling’ in the art of audio/visual production. Initially they started by staging few amateur stage plays in their native Lahore but after completing the education their parents dreamt up for them (ACCA in one case, MBA in another) they came to the realization that either they will eventually kill themselves by doing mundane jobs in the financial world (intellectual suicide they say) or they need to be doing what they actually love doing – making films.

Today these three (Nasir Khan – the director, Adil Sher – the producer & Rizwan Saeed – the editor) together are known as the Talking Filmain people who are responsible for providing us with such varied entertainment programming as the Reality Show “Pounds” (aired on Geo TV in Winter 2006), TV Serials “Bus Yuhin” & “Saath” (aired on Hum TV) & the Tele-film “14 Days” which aired recently during the on-going Hum TV Tele Film Festival 2008. Their most critically acclaimed effort however to-date has been the Feature Film “Kashf” which was previewed at 2 world renowned film-fests Berlin & Cannes Film Festivals. Among their other works are short films ‘Profile’ (accepted at Philedelphia, Vancouver & ‘our own’ Kara Film Festivals) & Paid In Full (funded by National Film Board in Canada) and short documentaries ‘Muslim Gear’ (for CBC-Zed Canada) & Made-In-Pakistan (under production).

With a profile like this one is sure to get noticed (maybe even outside the media world) but these guys remain under-rated. In a recent meeting with them Adil joked that they were actually better known outside Pakistan then they are ‘in here’ & I for one had to agree. The good thing is that the constant lack of media attention (in Pakistan) that their works have received has not discouraged them one bit. They are vehemently enthusiastic about their work and remain perennial optimists. Perhaps its this frame of mind that has allowed them to produce some really fine cine treasures and more importantly at age 30 their best years are still ahead of them.

Among the trio’s complaints however is the lack of professionalism that they have witnessed among media ‘professionals’ in Pakistan. They seem to believe that the lack of rehearsals (or availability of actors during rehearsals) is one major sign of non-professionalism. Another main proof of un-professional behaviour given by them is the non-serious attitude of younger actors/actresses. They explain (without taking names) that on a few occasions some younger artists disappeared mid-way (after 2-3 episodes) and wouldn’t even take their calls which even prompted them to kill their characters mid-way. The film-makers however thanked the fact that the ‘unprofessional’ artists had not signed contracts which shielded the producer against any legal action for breach of contract.

The whole concept of media and its organization as an industry is one cause for such lack of professionalism. Adil Sher (the talkative producer: ‘Its in my job description’, he explains) believes some onus for development of media especially electronic media is also on the government’s treatment of it as an industry. If it is recognized as a ‘full-fledged’ industry then the government has a responsibility train the people suitably for the requisite opportunities. This can be done by opening up schools to train teachers first who then teach people especially in the use of currently available equipments. A school called National Association of Performing Arts (NAPA) is there in Karachi but for producers ‘up-country’ there’s a huge ‘proximity’ issue. Such good efforts should be started in Northern media centers such as Lahore, Islamabad & Peshawar also.

As regards the mushroom growth of news channels it is the belief of Talking Filmain team that the quality of news channels remains high because they are run by journalists who were trained amicably by the print media. However, the case of general entertainment programming is exactly the opposite whereby channel heads are willing to put ‘anything’ on air regardless of its quality just to ‘fill’ empty programming slots. This void is exactly the philosophy behind the setting up of Talking Filmain (and countless other production houses). The difference is that the sole reason for existence of Talking Filmain is to try to bring more life, content, relevance and enjoyment to television in Pakistan and indeed what is being projected of Pakistan abroad. The case in point is clearly highlighted by the fact that situations, language & characters portrayed in their works are easily relatable as opposed to the ‘cross-border infiltration’ of culture which has plagued our entertainment industry since the turn of the millennium. This is as they put it: ‘Our take on current media situation in Pakistan’.

Interestingly these newcomers to the scene through sheer quality of work & commitment have already garnered the support of some industry stalwarts (Salman Shahid, Saba Pervaiz et al.) as well as that of model turned actresses (ZQ & Maliha Naipaul) and musicians (as varied as Ali Sher & Ahmed Ali Butt). Furthermore they have introduced through their work the talents of educated, moderate newcomers like Saeed Azhar & Bilal Zaman. When asked about this aspect of their work they merely saluted the ‘immense help’ they received in scripting (Salman Shahid) and production/direction ethic (Saba Pervaiz). Among the newer lot they modestly believed that the ‘regulars’ featured in their work are their saviours and they would never want to lose their saviours.

From commercial short-film (Khayal for designer Saadia Mirza) to the TV sitcom (the way it used to be in the ‘good old days’) and beyond (documentaries, feature films etc.) the trio has done it all & (unfortunately) seen it all too. They have set no goals for themselves but would like to remain true to their philosophy of providing clean, relatable & light entertainment to advance their moralistic message and fulfil their passion also (two for the price of one!)