Film on interfaith harmony in Parachinar releases on third day of Eid

PARACHINAR: A large number of locals were present on Monday at the premier of a film which depicts interfaith harmony in the city of Parachinar in the Kurram Agency, known as the hub of sectarian violence.  

"The film is worthy of applause as it sends a clear message of unity, which is the need of the hour," social worker Shahid Kazmi told Geo.tv. 

A journalist who was present at the release, Mohammad Sadiq, said the students of Lahore's National College of Arts — who belong to Kurram Agency — have truly worked hard on making the film. 

While talking to Geo.tv, art director and one of the lead actors, Ahmed Shah, said the film Sulagty Chinaar is the story of two friends who belonged to different sects — one is a Shia while the other is Sunni — but their relation was free from sectarian discrimination that Parachinar has been infused with for years.

“This is a film of untold stories of the city that go unreported,” he said. “We want to send the message of interfaith harmony as despite the tension, people here are sincere to each other.”

The film depicts the years between 2007 and 2012, a time when people of Kurram Agency bore the brunt of sectarian attacks. This was also the time period when the only route connecting Parachinar to the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was taken over by terrorists, Shah said.

The entire film has been shot in Parachinar, while all the actors belong to the Kurram Agency city and are studying at the National College of Arts in Lahore, said Shah, who has recently graduated from the same institute.

“The film has been directed by Roohi Kashfi and produced by Syed Asad Murtaza.”

Besides interfaith harmony, the crew and actors also intend to tell the world that despite the unrest, people of Kurram Agency did not leave education and continued to make all efforts to restore peace in the region.

The 40-minute film was to be released on the second day of Eid-ul-Azha, but the release was postponed due to security threats.