Mumbai, July 10 (IANS) For Reeth, a budding actress, visit to the South Asian Film Festival (SAFF) proved to be more than a learning experience. She landed up with a lead role in a Pakistani film. Reeth, who has finished the shooting for her debut film “Aaja Gunah Kar Le”, visited the SAFF held in Goa last month with an intention to have glimpse at international cinema but was spotted and signed by Pakistani director Siraj-ul-Haq for his big-budget film tentatively titled as “Koshish”.
“I met Siraj, who had come with his film ‘Chandni’, which was exhibited at the festival,” said Reeth, who has come all the way from her native place Kolkata to make it big in the tinsel town. “We met at the festival and had a long chat over films. He came to know that I am an actress and looking for good opportunities. I showed him my photographs and he at once offered the lead role in his movie,” said the jubilant actress.
“It is a great opportunity and I am very happy about it. It is a completely performance oriented role where I will be able to display my acting skills and that too in front of an international audience,” said Reeth who waited for three years for her debut film “Aaja Gunah Kar Le”.
Siraj heads a production company called Eveready Pictures and is presently directing a Pakistani daily soap titled “Kahy Ko Biyahe Bidase”. He also made a serial titled “Koonj”, which was a big success in Pakistan. Siraj has made more than 10 films and his “Khamosh Pani” had won the Golden Leopard Best Film Award at the 2003 Locarno Film Festival.
“India and Pakistan have a common background with same emotions. I hope that I can touch the heart of Indian audience through my films,” Siraj said. According to Reeth, “Koshish” revolves around the relationship between a mother and daughter.
“I play a journalist in the film who returns from the US after her academics. It is her relation with mother, both having different perspectives about life,” she said. “The film is based in Pakistan and US and the shooting is expected to start by the end of this year”.
Reeth has bagged a role when the exchange of talents between the two neighboring countries is the talk of the town. Meera, a Pakistani actress, has already been signed for a couple of projects including “Jhansi Ki Rani”. Mona Laizza, a popular Pakistani TV actress, has also been signed with Himesh Reshammiya for T-Series’ “Kajraree” to be directed by Pooja Bhatt.
