SPECIAL REPORT: Jinnah DVD Release

Legendary actor Christopher Lee graced the London screening of Jinnah on Friday 2nd July. His co-star Shireen Shah who plays the role of his sister Fatima Jinnah accompanied the veteran of over 300 films.

Jinnah, which releases on DVD from the 5th of July, is the much-anticipated story of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Told in an absorbing fashion, the vast historical epic follows the hugely important but often-misrepresented world leader.

Christopher Lee said: “I was given the opportunity of playing a politician, father and brother. The vast majority of Pakistan doesn’t know about Jinnah’s life. But he is revered in his country as a saint. He was a man of iron will. I wanted to tell his story. It’s the greatest challenge I’ve faced as an actor. I had to make the people of Pakistan believe that I was Jinnah We have made a remarkable film about a unique man and I urge you to go and watch it.”

The film opens shortly after partition in 1947 with a dying Jinnah being rushed to hospital. In an unusual twist, Jinnah awakens in a computer room, where a decision on his eternal soul will be made. Unfortunately Jinnah’s data file is missing and the computers are malfunctioning which means a decision cannot be taken on his path from hereon. Thus enters the narrator and guide played by the legendary Shashi Kapoor, who examines Jinnah’s life by escorting him back in time. This structural change lightens the tone, allows for debate and puts into perspective the traumatic events surrounding the independence of India and its subsequent partition.

The supporting cast is equally outstanding with James Fox as Lord Mountbatten, Shashi Kapoor as the Guide, Shireen Shah as Fatima Jinnah, Sam Dastor as Gandhi, Maria Aitken as Lady Mountbatten, Robert Ashby as Nehru and Richard Lintern as the young Jinnah.

Director and co-writer Jamil Dehlavi has created an epic portrayal of history on a limited budget without compromising on quality and authenticity. Visualised by renowned Director of Photography Nic Knowland and supported by a grand score, the film depicts an important era in history and must be seen.

The DVD also features an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary entitled Dare To Dream which includes revealing interviews with Christopher Lee, Shashi Kapoor, Maria Aitkin and director Jamil Dehlavi among others. Dare To Dream is a riveting, provoking, revealing and entertaining documentary on the film, charting the torturous process and setbacks faced by a British production team in Pakistan.

Radio Sargam has two copies of the DVD to give away in a competition. To win one of them, simply email us the answer to this question: Which actor plays Jinaah in the film? Email your answer to mailto:radiosargam@hotmail.com by 31st July 2004.

Written by Robeel Haq

sunny from barfi was at it the other day.. im trying to persuade him to give me his copy.. if i get it off him i`ll post screenshots!

some more info here....

http://www.specialsignings.com/jinnah/jinnah2.asp

I wonder if this DVD would become easily available from places like IW at some point? Better still, it would be interesting to see a 2in1 of this DVD, maybe with GANDHI!