Interview With Fariha Rashed

Published in The Saturday Post Issue 201

Meet Fariha Rashed, the owner and CEO of a quarterly, in print magazine called Ink. She is a freelance writer and has written for many publications like Libas, FAQ, The Khaleej Times, Times of India, Anokhi Vibe, Lucire, and Images (Dawn). She has quite a diversified profile and various interests. She is a senior partner at Pitch Media Inc., a project she runs with her design partner. Read more to learn more about Fariha’s projects and where she derives her inspiration from.

How would you introduce yourself and your work to our readers?

I would introduce myself as a person who is passionate about any work she takes up, especially when she initiates something herself, such as Ink [a quarterly, print & online, entertainment based magazine]. Ink is a labor of love. :)

Tell us something about your education and childhood.

I was moving around a lot from country to country as my father was in Foreign Service. Hence, I have studied in many different systems across the world. As a child, I was also very quiet and reserved.

When did you start writing? What was the inspiration behind it?

I began writing after I graduated from Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) in 2003. I was inspired by fashion, and wrote most articles related to the topic when I started out as a freelancer.

Tell us something about INK.

It was launched in the market in November 2008. It’s a quarterly, print and online [http://www.ink-on-the-web.com] magazine which covers all aspects of entertainment, locally and internationally. We have writers from and correspondents based all around the world. Our tagline is 'Whatever Entertains You' and every Ink issue has a new theme, based on entertainment.

What is the motivation and inspiration behind INK?

The motivation comes from the will to bring something new into the market. The inspiration is all the great talent inherent in Pakistan.

Tell us something about your freelance work.

Before I began Ink, I had been writing as a freelancer for various local and international publications for five years.

What is your biggest passion?

Doing something worthwhile in life!

Discuss your work on "Mind The Gap" and "A Mighty Heart". How was the experience?

“Mind The Gap” was a talk show of sorts, dealing with the communication gap inherent between children and their parents, due to the age gap. It was a show I worked on as a part of the Production team, while working at GEO TV some years ago. The show was aired and I believe was quite a success. The experience was exciting!

I worked as Assistant Costumes, for the movie “A Mighty Heart”, while Director Michael Winterbottom was shooting in Pakistan for three days. The experience was eye-opening as for the first time I realized and learnt what a professional, united team works like.

Tell us something about your art work. How do you define art in your own words?

Art is something I always did as a hobby, as it relaxes me. For me, art is best explained in Eckhart Tolle's words, "All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness."

Out of painting, writing, photographing, editing, fashion designing, which acumen defines you the most? Why?

All of them put together define me best and most accurately, I can never be happy pursuing one path only.

What acts as your source of inspiration?

Hard work and dedication!

Tell a little about your work at Pitch Media Inc.

Pitch Media Inc. is a project by Ink, it is primarily a design and PR company run by myself and my partner Haroon Khan who is a graduate [with honors] of NCA. He takes care of the design side and I take care of the PR / Marketing side. We create brand identities, layouts and designs for print & electronic media, written content and much more.

Having a diverse profile, how would you explain your family's support towards your career?

My family has always been supportive. They like to see me work hard and do what I love doing. They have never tried to discourage me from anything. My mother and sister in particular have been amazing support systems throughout.

Any obstacles so far, that you faced being a female?

Not really - you have to stand your ground and be confident as a human being and everyone will respect you, whether you are a man or a woman.

How much do you believe in woman empowerment?

I believe every woman is empowered - she just has to recognize and act on it.

How do you take critiques on your work?

I welcome them, as long as they are constructive.

What is your biggest desire and expectation from life?

Well, my biggest desire is to succeed at every step of life.

What is your message for the readers of The Saturday Post?

Thank you for reading through this interview and God Bless!

The interview was Published in The Saturday Post.

Interview With Azeem Sajjad

Interview with Azeem Sajjad

By

Sadaf Fayyaz

Published in INK Isue 4- The Gold Issue

From a young, slim and good-looking actor to a serious and mature director, Azeem’s journey started almost two decades ago. He talks about his early life, career and upcoming projects. He seems a bit exhausted, but at the same time, feels great about his works. He has been an actor, scriptwriter, model and director as well. His Urdu drama serial “Shikwa Na Shikayat Hey” is a selected piece of work by University of IOWA’s International Writing Program. “It is not enough to have a dream unless you are willing to pursue it. It is not enough to reach for love unless you care enough to give it.”

Tell something about your education, background and family.

I was born at Quetta. My father was in army, so I was educated from different schools. We used to keep moving. I did my matriculation from Rawalpindi and attended Edwards College Peshawar for some time. I did my MBA marketing from abroad. Besides this, I pursued a diploma in film making from US.

How would you define yourself as a human being?

I am a creative, romantic, peaceful, patriotic and hardworking person. I am against bloodshed and have a regard for mankind and humanity.

You have been an actor, writer, model and a director now. Which out of these you enjoy the most?

As I have started directing now, I think it’s the toughest of all these four. A director doesn’t only direct, but is responsible for many other things like leading his team, motivating them, managing crisis, handling uncertain issues, taking work from people, with limited resources. It’s really something responsible and hectic. A director has to take many things into account. Though, I enjoy this part too.

Tell something about entering show business.

I faced camera for the first time at a very young age of sixteen. I performed at a youth program. The judge was like, “Man, you had expressions on your face while performing. Why don’t you go for acting professionally?” I didn’t take it very seriously that time. After wards, he took me for an audition. I was selected. This is how my journey started. I did my first play “Baat Chhoti Si” at the age of sixteen.

What was reaction from your family when you decided to opt for show business?

My family is very educated and cooperative. My parents supported me; especially my mother is a very well-groomed lady. They supported my decision of entering show business.

What was your directorial debut? Which one is your favorite?

My directorial debut was a play “Apne Apne Raastay. Out of all my directorial ventures, I like “Thodi Si Zindagi.

Where does your inspiration come from?

 After working so much for over two decades, I think my source of inspiration is human tragedy. When I was a teenager, I read a statement behind a rickshaw, “One gets wise after suffering”. This holds true for me too. I have learnt from tragedies of life. So this statement has become my life motto now. I derive my inspiration from tragedy.

Who are your favorite co-stars?

I have worked with many people and I simply cannot say who my favorite is. Each one of them is unique and brilliant in their own way. I have worked with Ajab Gul too. All of them are amazing, I would say.

Why did you change your name from Azeem Khan to Azeem Sajjad?

(Laughs) I was representing IOWA as a Pakistani writer. It’s a paper “My name should be Khan”, written by me. I had to write a lot of papers. While I was at school, there were so many Khans, that it was difficult to differentiate. I changed my name from Azeem Khan to Azeem Sajjad, taking my father’s first name as my surname. 

Who are your favorite actors and what are your famous dramas?

Late Khalida Riysat and Qavi Sahib (Qavi Khan) are my favorite actors. My favorite dramas include “Tanhaiyan”, “Karobi” and “Uncle Urfi”.

Why did you decide you shift from Peshawar to Lahore?

There were such circumstances and some difficult issues for me there. There was very little scope for private production and resources were limited too. I have worked with Dr. Dennis Issac a lot. He was a very brilliant writer and knew very well how to characterize. He was a master, I must say. Apart from story writing, he excelled at characterization. He has shifted to Canada now. But before leaving, he completed the story of film “Inteha”. Peshawar is my hometown and I am still connected with it. Whenever I have to purchase a car, I always get it from there. I visit Peshawar for family functions and ceremonies too.

Tell something about Zoomie Productions.

It is basically known as Zoomie Magic Media Productions. Our basic projects include tele films, documentaries and serials. The documentaries are on poverty eradication, anti-narcotics and Pakistan Army. One of the documentaries is “Faisla Awaam Ka” and “Last Dance” is a tele film by Zoomie productions.

What are your upcoming projects?

My upcoming projects include a soap serial, (as a director) and a serial “Gumshuda” and “Angoori”. I will be working in Dr. Omer Adil’s soap “Naubahar” too. We will be starting our recordings by January.

Out of all the roles you have plays so far, which one is your favorite?

I played an AIDS patient in “Thodi Si Zindagi” and that’s my favorite role.

How do you manage work with family life?

My life is very hectic and tiring. I have learnt how to balance work with life. You need a lot of support from your family members.  But once you are into it, your family comes to know your pressures and work schedule. Whatever time I get free from my work, I spend it with my family. I am not a party guy at all. Everything gets adjusted itself.

Is there something people don’t know about you?

(Laughs)You want me to leak out a secret. I am a very good photographer, but I never took it professionally. My spouse Belinda is an excellent photographer and has conducted most of my shoots.

How do you define art?

I derive my art from the beauties of the world that Almighty has created. For me art lies in everything that he has created. Out of his ninety nine names, “Al-Musawir” is a name. I believe in being different every time and do not believe in repetition. Doing something novel every time is also art for me.

What is your message for the readers of INK?

Be patriotic and be loyal to your nation and condemn bloodshed. No religion or culture allows any kind of bloodshed or killing. Leave something good and valuable for the upcoming generations.

Interview With Fariha Rashed

Published in The Saturday Post Issue 201

Meet Fariha Rashed, the owner and CEO of a quarterly, in print magazine called Ink. She is a freelance writer and has written for many publications like Libas, FAQ, The Khaleej Times, Times of India, Anokhi Vibe, Lucire, and Images (Dawn). She has quite a diversified profile and various interests. She is a senior partner at Pitch Media Inc., a project she runs with her design partner. Read more to learn more about Fariha’s projects and where she derives her inspiration from.

By Sadaf Fayyaz

How would you introduce yourself and your work to our readers?

I would introduce myself as a person who is passionate about any work she takes up, especially when she initiates something herself, such as Ink [a quarterly, print & online, entertainment based magazine]. Ink is a labor of love. :)

Tell us something about your education and childhood.

I was moving around a lot from country to country as my father was in Foreign Service. Hence, I have studied in many different systems across the world. As a child, I was also very quiet and reserved.

When did you start writing? What was the inspiration behind it?

I began writing after I graduated from Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (PIFD) in 2003. I was inspired by fashion, and wrote most articles related to the topic when I started out as a freelancer.

Tell us something about INK.

It was launched in the market in November 2008. It’s a quarterly, print and online [http://www.ink-on-the-web.com] magazine which covers all aspects of entertainment, locally and internationally. We have writers from and correspondents based all around the world. Our tagline is 'Whatever Entertains You' and every Ink issue has a new theme, based on entertainment.

What is the motivation and inspiration behind INK?

The motivation comes from the will to bring something new into the market. The inspiration is all the great talent inherent in Pakistan.

Tell us something about your freelance work.

Before I began Ink, I had been writing as a freelancer for various local and international publications for five years.

What is your biggest passion?

Doing something worthwhile in life!

Discuss your work on "Mind The Gap" and "A Mighty Heart". How was the experience?

“Mind The Gap” was a talk show of sorts, dealing with the communication gap inherent between children and their parents, due to the age gap. It was a show I worked on as a part of the Production team, while working at GEO TV some years ago. The show was aired and I believe was quite a success. The experience was exciting!

I worked as Assistant Costumes, for the movie “A Mighty Heart”, while Director Michael Winterbottom was shooting in Pakistan for three days. The experience was eye-opening as for the first time I realized and learnt what a professional, united team works like.

Tell us something about your art work. How do you define art in your own words?

Art is something I always did as a hobby, as it relaxes me. For me, art is best explained in Eckhart Tolle's words, "All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no-mind, from inner stillness."

Out of painting, writing, photographing, editing, fashion designing, which acumen defines you the most? Why?

All of them put together define me best and most accurately, I can never be happy pursuing one path only.

What acts as your source of inspiration?

Hard work and dedication!

Tell a little about your work at Pitch Media Inc.

Pitch Media Inc. is a project by Ink, it is primarily a design and PR company run by myself and my partner Haroon Khan who is a graduate [with honors] of NCA. He takes care of the design side and I take care of the PR / Marketing side. We create brand identities, layouts and designs for print & electronic media, written content and much more.

Having a diverse profile, how would you explain your family's support towards your career?

My family has always been supportive. They like to see me work hard and do what I love doing. They have never tried to discourage me from anything. My mother and sister in particular have been amazing support systems throughout.

Any obstacles so far, that you faced being a female?

Not really - you have to stand your ground and be confident as a human being and everyone will respect you, whether you are a man or a woman.

How much do you believe in woman empowerment?

I believe every woman is empowered - she just has to recognize and act on it.

How do you take critiques on your work?

I welcome them, as long as they are constructive.

What is your biggest desire and expectation from life?

Well, my biggest desire is to succeed at every step of life.

What is your message for the readers of The Saturday Post?

Thank you for reading through this interview and God Bless!