Pakistan provides freedom to filmmakers: Meenu Gaur

Filmmaker Meenu Gaur, who has co-directed Pakistani comedy thriller 'Zinda Bhaag' starring Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah, feels there is a lot of freedom to make movies in Pakistan.
'Zinda Bhaag' is the first Pakistani film in over 50 years to be submitted for Oscar consideration in the foreign language category. Pakistan has previously sent only two films to the Oscars - Akhtar J Kardar's 'Jago Hua Savera' in 1959 and Khawaja Khurshid Anwar's 'Ghunghat' in 1963.
The film's other director is Farjad Nabi and it has been produced by Gaur's husband Mazhar Zaidi.
"The interesting thing about making films in Pakistan in a twisted way is that there is a lot of freedom. You can do your thing in terms of your story, content, pretty much everything," said Gaur during a session at NFDC Film Bazaar at the ongoing IFFI.

'Zinda Bhaag' was recently shown at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF). It will also be screened at Film Bazaar.
"It is good that festivals like these are happening on regular basis. It is a boon and a great platform for independent makers who are trying to reach a wider audience," Gaur added.
The film, which also stars Amna Ilyas, Khurram Patras, Salman Ahmad Khan among others, is awaiting a release in India. 'Zinda Bhaag' hit theatres in Pakistan in September this year.