Indian writer Shailja Kejriwal pushes for India-Pakistan writer collaboration

• Shailja Kejriwal is a Veteran media professional.
• She wants more collaboration between India and Pakistan.
• She discussed the impact of the ban on Pakistani artists in India.

Veteran media professional Shailja Kejriwal, a key figure at India’s Zindagi channel, recently shared her hope for more frequent collaborations between Indian and Pakistani artists and writers in the entertainment industry.

In a conversation with an Indian media outlet, Shailja, who serves as the chief creative officer at Zee Entertainment’s Zindagi channel, discussed the impact of the ban on Pakistani artists in India after the 2016 Uri attack. She emphasized the need for a “more open and inclusive” approach, believing it would greatly benefit the industry.

Reflecting on her aspirations, Shailja said, “My ultimate desire, whether it happens or not, is that we collaborate… writers and artists from both sides should be on a set together.” She continued, “I am working towards that goal. Hopefully, we can achieve something meaningful because we thrive when we are open and inclusive.”

For context, following the Uri attack in 2016, the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Film Producers Guild of India banned Pakistani artists from working in India. Despite this, Shailja has remained committed to fostering cross-border collaborations.

Through Zindagi’s YouTube channel and the Zee5 streaming app, she has produced exclusive projects directed by Pakistani filmmakers and featuring talent from both India and Pakistan. The channel has aired iconic Pakistani dramas like ‘Thakan’, ‘Shukk’, ‘Pyarey Afzal’, ‘Meri Beti’, ‘Mere Harjai’, and ‘Main Bushra’, while also producing hits such as ‘Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’, ‘Churails’, ‘Mrs. & Mr. Shameem’, and the recent success, ‘Barzakh’, starring Fawad Khan and Sanam Saeed.

Reflecting on her work, Shailja shared, “I felt my work would be incomplete if I didn’t play a role in bringing these artists back.” She added, “My vision goes beyond pan India… I want to see collaboration among South Asians and Asians as a whole.”

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