Mrs and Mr Shameem – Director’s Cut – Get The Inside On The Story
Director Kashif Nisar drops BTS in the making of Mrs. and Mr. Shameem – the Saba Qamar-Nauman Ijaz starrer is all set to hit screens on Zee5 this March. With some super fab projects under his belt, including the recent Dil Na Umeed Toh Nahi and Raqeeb Se, he is 100% behind this one.
Interestingly, Nauman Ijaz has become a prime favorite for Kashif Nasir’s signature ventures, but this time, we see him with the uber-talented, ‘missing in action’ Saba Qamar as well. The 3 creative heads on the set of a Zee5 web series is a feat hard to miss, and while emotions are running high in anticipation of a blockbuster, we hope Pakistani audiences manage to watch the journey of two mismatched people (as the makers have pitched them) in a project that was rejected by local TV channels. How unfortunate is that? Oh well, we’ll find out pretty soon – March 11th to be exact!
Here are 5 things from the making of Mrs. and Mr. Shameem that Kashif Nisar shed light on. So let’s get on with it and spill the beans with the first episode drop!
1. The Project Was First Pitched To Local Channels Who Didn’t Resonate With It
Hence, the story was shelved, till some openings came up through Zee5 and it was re-pitched to the Indian OTT platform. Zee5 loved it. especially Shameem’s character (Nauman Ijaz) vibed with them, reveals the director.
Yeh concept humne buhat arse dheeme aanch pe rakh ke chor diya tha. Humne develop karke pitch kiya, mukhtalif channels ko approach kiya, lekin unhe laga ke isse housewives and audiences relate nahi kar sakengi
Kashif Nisar
2. The Concept Originally Belonged To Nauman Ijaz
For all those wondering how Nauman Ijaz could make the shift from the forbidding Hidayatullah in Dobara, the stoic, calm Maqsood Sahab in Raqeeb Se to the ‘womanly feel’, soft on the outside and inside Mr Shameem – oh well, know this:
“It was Nauman’s concept initially”.
Kashif Nisar
Director Kashif Nisar reveals that Nauman didn’t just ‘land’ the character as part of the casting, he was part of the reason it was brought to life. However, it was woven into a story by Saji Gul of O Rangreza and Dour.
Imagine wanting to play the polar opposite of all the roles you’ve been defined by so far, the challenge must have been real and full marks to you for taking it on Nauman jee. That’s what actors do when they’re looking for challenge, and this one came up as a full fledged re-spin on everything you’ve ever attempted!
Kashif Nisar explained the thought process and message behind the web series. “We wanted to break stereotypes”, he said. “Nauman has always played a conventional man. So we wanted to redefine mardangi. We wanted to break stereotypes – that mardangi does not reside in muscles.”
3. Why Cast Saba Qamar For Umaina (Mrs Shameem)?
“Saba’s character Umaina is as courageous as Saba. She has no inhibitions as a person.” Kashif Nisar spoke out contemplatively. It was a given. No one else fits the role like a glove!
When I used to read about Umaina, it would be as if Saba would appear before me, sitting on a chair and tell me, if you don’t take me, you will regret it! Hence Saba was the automatic choice for me!
Kashif Nisar
I could not think of anyone other than Saba and Nauman for this project! He utters, thoroughly convinced in his casting picks.
4. Unplanned Scenes That Were Not On Your Radar?
Yes! Mentions Kashif Sahab instantly. There was a scene that completely blew me away. We kept the cameras rolling and Saba and Nauman took it to a place I’d never imagined.
I was so overwhelmed with their performance that I forgot to shout CUT and the two of them cried like babies as the camera kept rolling.
Kashif Nisar
That was magic in that very instance. P.S. Kashif Sahab revealed the specific scene but we’ll give the big reveal once you watch the series. No spoilers here!
5. Mrs. and Mr. Shameem Was Initially Called Man Jogi
The web series was first titled Man Jogi – the makers felt both protagonists were Sufi-like souls who did not give themselves priority over others. But then later, it was decided that the audiences would resonate more with Mrs. and Mr. Shameem, hence the change from working title to this one.
On a side note, which title would you prefer?
That’s it for the BTS we have so far. Stay tuned as we drop more news on this Web Series. Coming to you on 11th March on Zee5. The ensemble cast also includes Agha Mustafa Hassan, Fazia Gullanbi, Amna Malik, and Gul e Rana.
