Written by: Syed Abbas Hussain
Posted on: May 24, 2019 | 
| 中文
A scene from the drama showing Emaan Khan as Damsa
With an alarming number of cases related to child abuse being reported in the media in recent years – the issue of child protection has gained prominence in public discourse in Pakistan. Going by the adage, ‘art imitates life,’ this has been increasingly reflected in television dramas – such as Udaari and Meri Guriya, which are playing an important role in raising awareness on the issue.
Prominent actress and activist Nadia Jamil who has been a vociferous proponent of child rights, is coming back to television screens after a year-long gap for a project that explores the topic of child trafficking, called “Damsa.” Incidentally, her last project also happened to tackle a similar theme – that of child marriage.
Penned by Asma Nabeel, Damsa has been directed by Najaf Bilgrami of Dukhtar fame, and produced by Shazia Wajahat, wife of popular director Wajahat Rauf (the man behind the Karachi Se Lahore Tak franchise). As Wajahat Rauf puts it, “Damsa is based on a lot of true stories and we hope to spread awareness through our serial about the kind of crimes taking place every day around us.”
Nadia Jamil, who is currently based in Cambridge, recently spoke to Youlin Magazine on Damsa and the aspects of the project which excited her.
Q) Please give us a preview of the basic concept of the project while also explaining the meaning of the title.
Damsa means pure white silk. It’s also the name of my daughter in the serial. The project revolves around a few central themes, such as what holds together families, mothers, child protection and trafficking, fear and how it can either break you or empower you.
Q) You have been a vocal proponent of child rights on different platforms. Is that one of the considerations for your choosing the project?
It is the reason, yes.
Q) There seems to be a trend in Pakistani Television to produce plays on social issues. Udaari, and your own previous project, Mujhe Jeenay Doh, are some examples. How is Damsa going to tackle the theme differently to engage the audience, who have seen quite a few plays on child rights before?
Damsa isn’t about an issue. It’s the story of a child, a family, a mother. The journey of that story wraps issues into it. It’s real, frightening and incredibly empowering. There are stories with agendas, and stories which reveal frightening, sometimes inspirational truths. Damsa is such a story.
Q) How was your experience on working with Damsa?
Life changing. It empowered me as an actor, a woman and mother. Researching on the role also shook me to my core. Talking to the people who have, and are still experiencing what my character Areeja experiences, is chilling.
Najaf Bilgrami is one of the most incredible directors I have worked with. He has the ability to draw the best out of an actor. Emaan Khan and Falak, my two young children were phenomenally talented, and everyone else was also amazing to work with! The whole team was one big connected and supportive family.
Q) What kind of factors have to be considered when tackling a sensitive topic like child abuse in terms of ethical guidelines?
Najaf Bilgrami expressed it well, when he once said, “We don’t need to sensationalise it. It’s powerful enough in its simple raw truth.” The truth is these things happen. Children are abused. Children do disappear. Children are neglected.
Now where do we go from here? What are the solutions? As an individual, what can you and I do? How can we encourage the state, the media and the people of a nation to come together to protect its children? Damsa does that without exploiting the brutal truth of child abuse.
The only way you can tackle child abuse is to understand that this play is not just about entertainment. We are holding a mirror to the reality, and showing a metaphor of how we can move beyond the pain and grow from this truth.
It was a very physical performance. I got to do some fun, albeit scary stunts as well. Right after a bout of typhoid!
Q) Which other cast members are in the project and could you please share some information about the director and the previous work he/she has to their credit?
Both Khalid and Shahood Alvi are incredible fun, good energy and so intense when they need to be. They also keep me focused and give me the energy I need in a scene. Ismat Zaidi, who plays my mother, is an affectionate and caring person. Saleem Mairaj and my son Falak were brilliant, and the latter is so committed at a very young age. But the drama’s real star is Emaan Khan who plays Damsa. It felt like she truly is my daughter and I have grown to love and respect her.
Q) Wajahat Rauf has been mostly associated with comedy in the past with the likes of films like Karachi Se Lahore. Are you happy with the way this project has been handled?
I did not work with Wajahat at all. His wife Shazia was handling this project, and she was very sensitive and professional in her approach. My main work was with the actors and the director. The makeup artist Atif Mahmood was good but it was Najaf who set the tone on the set, and was a powerful presence to work with.
Q) What is the release date of the project, and on which channel and what slot?
It will be airing on ARY around Eid Ul Fitr, and we are hoping they give us a good slot. Everyone should watch and learn from this play. Like I said, it’s changed my life. In portraying Areeja’s character, I discovered new strength and determination within me. It’s made a better mother out of me, I hope.
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