22 Qadam has taken over our Sunday evenings, free from the drama of saas bahu shenanigans and diving right into the rivalries and complexities of women athletes aspiring to become professional cricket players – not only is the narrative true to life, but the execution of the same has fast become a thrilling, engaging watch.
Other than the fabulous performances onscreen, we wanted to know how the project came together directorially, and for this purpose, we spoke to director Anjum Shahzad to give us more background into the making of … 22 Qadam! Hold on to your wicket as we tell you how the drama unfolded behind the screen, and is now bowling out viewers, with a multi talented team throwing us googlies, bouncers and then some high end hits as well! Read on!
1. On Hareem Farooq – And The Making Of An Onscreen Sportswoman
Hareem had to prepare for 5-6 months before the shooting. She went through all the problems that a sportsman or a sportswoman can have. She experienced severe cramps,….it was really tough for her.
Director Anjum Shahzad
While many of the players cast for 22 Qadam are actual cricketers – men and women, and we can appreciate that in the superlative fielding displayed on the field (Also Dure Nayab aka Liza is infact, a cricketer), Hareem Farooq aka Fari had to undertake a gruelling training regime that made sure she mapped the journey of the real life heroes!
“Hareem went through a very tough time during the project because she was not only acting in it but also, she had to play cricket. She had to prepare for 5-6 months before the shooting. She went through all the problems that a sportsman or a sportswoman can have. She experienced severe cramps, she had to keep bowling, batting, fielding, running, all those things. It was really tough for her, but she is a brilliant actor and a very dedicated and committed actress. Not only her acting skills but the way she has worked as a character, the way she has motivated through her role, has worked very convincingly for Fari.”
2. On Sana Mir Walking Onset & Before The Lens
Sana Mir is a role model. She used to come well prepared and disciplined on the set, just like she is on the field. Fari aka Hareem’s character is inspired by her and Sana was amazing
Director Anjum Shahzad
Sana Mir might have aced her on-field game but how sure was she off the field? Well, the director told us how that went down!
“Yes, absolutely. Hareem has a very good friendship with Sana. They had met before and they were in touch with each other. And when she came on set, Sana was totally in her scenes, I was very surprised, she was prepared for everything there. Sana on the set was very disciplined and a very organized cricketer, wohi unki personal life ke andar bhi humein throughout the project nazar aaya. Jahan jahan unke zuroorat padhi humein nazar aaya, ki kitni disciplined and well prepared woh set pe aati thin. Sana Mir is a role model for girls as a human and also as a character. The discipline and the organization and the well prepared she was on set was amazing. It was a lot of fun working with her. And Hareem’s character was inspired by her, so I think that was the right choice. She can be any girl’s role model.”
3. On Rivalry In Sports & Non Preachy Messages
Hareem’s character, her sister’s character, all the girls’ characters, and then Wahaj’s character, how they have come out of all those things, so that message, instead of being told as a message, through events, that message will be conveyed to people throughout, as you will see in the next episodes.”
Director Anjum Shahzad
We are past the age of preaching monotonous messages to an audience that is spoilt for choice. Hence the drama creators had to up their game and throw us an engaging narrative, the message is in the thrill, competition and rivalries – just was real players thrive on, and it seems to be delivering so far!
“Yes, of course, rivalry is a common thing in sports. And if you convert your anger into positivity, into sports, then it will pay you back. sportsman or any other, in your normal life where you work in a competitive environment, there are challenges throughout the series you will see where there is rivalry, where there are hurdles, where there is tough competition so how the girls have come out of it. Our main protagonist, Hareem’s character, her sister’s character, all the girls’ characters, and then Wahaj’s character, how they have come out of all those things, so that message, instead of being told as a message, through events, that message will be conveyed to people throughout, as you will see in the next episodes.”
4. A Hint Into Wahaj Ali aka Junaid’s Upcoming Challenge (And how he’ll overcome it)?
And when you are playing against an opponent, there is rivalry in the team. So, you will see all those things. And through story, you will get to know how they are overcome. And in fact, Wahaj’s character too.
Director Anjum Shahzad
Wahaj Ali aka Junaid as the perfect male role model? We can see that in Junaid already, but he has a few struggles of his own, and how he faces these will be a lesson in sportsmanship as well… keep watching.
“First of all, you need to change your mindset. This project already has a mindset, but it is not promoted on our screen in the form of stories or in the form of news. So, women empowerment is very important in a positive sense that when they leave the house, they have to face the challenges as soon as they step out of the house. But from here Fari’s character is shown, how to get out of those challenges. The challenges start dissolving by themselves. And your steadfastness, your consistency and commitment shines through. And of course, in sports, there is always a competitive environment among the players. And when you are playing against an opponent, there is rivalry in the team. So, you will see all those things. And through story, you will get to know how they are overcome. And in fact, Wahaj’s character too.”
5. More on Wahaj Ali’s Character & Men Supporting Women
Wahaj’s character is very powerful, very rich aur ideal character for our boys in society. The way it should be, the way they should be!
Director Anjum Shahzad
Ideal Pakistani male representation, aah, who else but Wahaj Ali to fit the role. The best part is, it’s not in a cliched hero’s role, but in how he facilitates the women around him to achieve their best!
“No, Wahaj’s character is not inspired by any character. Wahaj aka Junaid is a very powerful character in itself. I think Wahaj is the ideal Pakistani boy’s character who inspired not only the other girls aur kitna women empowerment mein ek aapka star agar jaise hi kahaani ke andar aayega, wo kaise inspire karte hain. So Wahaj’s character is very powerful, very rich aur ideal character for our boys in the society.”
6. On Giving US Real Life Role Models For Aspiring Women Athletes
Stories like these do inspire; that from a lower playing level, you can gradually become a professional cricketer, professional hockey player, professional badminton player, squash player how can girls become athletes if they are not seeing such role models onscreen. These characters motivate other people. I think 22 Qadam is the perfect story to inspire girls who want to do sports.”
Director Anjum Shahzad
“The perception in 22 Qadam is not only playing cricket. You will see in the story that the things you have just discussed about the hurdles, problems, many things, facing all these, going out, winning, reaching a special place, and following your dreams, you will see all of that in this. And such things change the perception in society for women’s cricket. As you will see now, in Pakistan, the big cities like Pindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, but in that way, they are not promoted on screen. And I think through this drama, you will get to know how much girls want to do sports. If you say that they need to get opportunities like that, they need to have clubs like that near their homes. It is very important to promote this. Unfortunately, in our overall system, such things are not even promoted. Because governments are always stuck in something else, they may not have time to pay attention to this. So stories like this do inspire that from a lower playing level, you can gradually become a professional cricketer, professional hockey player, professional badminton player, squash player how can girls become athletes if they are not seeing such role models onscreen. These characters motivate other people. I think 22 Qadam is the perfect story to inspire girls who want to do sports.”
7. On Whether We Can Watch The Matches On the Big Screen, In Remote Areas, Where Our Women Athletes & Talent Is Discovered (Hint, Hint)?
Inshallah, it can be shown on the big screen at any time. And the final match can be shown for sure.”
Director, Anjum Shahzad
“Yes, now that our channel has been launched, its reach is everywhere. I am sure wherever it can be shown to the maximum, it will be shown. Not only the urban territories, but wherever channels can be shown, our green channel is reaching there, Alhamdulillah, it is reaching. And it will be seen there too. It is easily available on YouTube. And I am sure that in the longer run, such stories can be screened there too. And let’s see, in the future plans, the channel will have such things. I am sure that these stories, especially remote areas where TV cannot reach, how to promote not only the sports but also inspire them and motivate them in those areas. And it should be done.”
“I am sure it will be on the channel’s plans. Let’s see how the response is. Inshallah, it can be shown on the big screen at any time. And the final match can be shown for sure.” Sounds too good to be true? We’re already making plans!
8. On Shooting The Game At Night & Dressing Room Talk (Hint: Wahaj Ali seems to shine through)
Wahaj’s nature is also like that, he is fun. So, we used to have a comedy with everyone. It used to go on. And, we would even end up enjoying the tough shoots.
Director Anjum Shahzad
The cast had to shoot in extreme weather conditions; from sweltering heat to battling injuries and cramps, but they battled on, like valiant cricket players! Hence there wasn’t much difference in real vs reel life, with the comic element from Wahaj Ali and the director himself thrown in – not to forget Hareem!
“Yes, we enjoyed this shoot very much. There are many memorable moments in it. If we go to the makeup room backstage, Wahaj’s nature is also like that, he is fun. So, we used to have a comedy with everyone. It used to go on. And we were even enjoying the tough shoots. everyday we used to enjoy our work. The night shootings were easy. We had a lot of shooting in the night grounds. Because when we started, the weather was cold. But later, at night, it was not hot. It was very tough in the day. We shot in the summer as well, in July, August, we shot in the ground. If we were not enjoying the process, it would have been very difficult. So, every day was enjoyable throughout the process.”
9. On The Working Chemistry That Is Hareem & Wahaj
Hareem and Wahaj are both brilliant actors, brilliant actors to work with. That’s why my direction style which such actors is that I leave them a little open while working. So sometimes you get interesting things from the actor through the blocking of the scene. Both are very capable, very talented actors. Daily, something or the other came from them and often, which was more interesting that what we had initially thought, so we would incorporate it instantly.
Director, Anjum Shahzad
“Hareem’s character is a fast bowler, you will see all kinds of flavors in her. And Hareem and Wahaj are both brilliant actors, brilliant actors to work with. That’s why my direction style which such talented actors is to leave them a little open while working. So sometimes you get interesting things from the actor through the blocking of the scene. So, both are very capable, very talented actors. Daily, something or the other came from them and often, more interesting than what we had originally thought, so we would incorporate it instantly. I really enjoyed working with these two actors.”
“The game is not only that – 22 yards. 22 yards is life for any character. 22 Qadam is not only a drama but it’s an ideology, it’s a movement, a stronger project. Why? because they inspire others. And I think these projects are like salt in the flour. There should be many such projects. At least, there should be a quarterly project like this on every channel. Which will inspire the younger generation. 22 Qadam I think is a movement. It’s not only 22 Qadam, 22 yards. It’s a movement.” 22 Qadam is a movement, and we so agree!
And that’s it from the man behind the lens on 22 Qadam. We hope to see more fireworks between Fari and Liza, more teamwork too, eventually, and also, more insights into Junaid aka Wahaj Ali’s story!
