A poignant discussion on the dramatic transformation of Hyderabad's entertainment landscape took center stage at the ongoing 11th Ayaz Melo. The informative session, focusing on "Hyderabad cinema and theater," was held at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium, drawing attention to a rich cultural heritage now largely confined to memory.
The Vanishing Silver Screens of Hyderabad
Hosted by the renowned writer Dr. Mehmood Mughal, the session painted a vivid picture of decline. Dr. Mughal highlighted a staggering fact: Hyderabad once boasted around 23 thriving cinemas. Today, the city of such significant academic and literary stature has seen almost all these venues repurposed into shopping malls and petrol pumps. He expressed profound sadness that a metropolis of its size now relies on a solitary cinema to cater to film enthusiasts.
A Legacy of Stars and a Beacon of Theater
Despite the demolition of cinemas, the conversation wasn't solely one of loss. Dr. Mughal pointed out a significant cultural shift: theater has developed robustly in Hyderabad. The city now witnesses the production of wonderful and reformed stage dramas, suggesting a migration of creative expression from the silver screen to the live stage.
Echoing the city's glorious past, noted film writer Syed Fida Hussain Shah paid tribute to two legendary sons of Hyderabad who illuminated the Pakistani film world: Muhammad Ali and Mustafa Qureshi. He shared an endearing anecdote about Muhammad Ali's dedication, noting that the superstar would personally visit local cinemas to gauge audience reaction whenever his new films were released. Mustafa Qureshi was also lauded for his active role in fostering film development in the city.
Remembering the Golden Era and Sindhi Cinema
Shah also recalled the contributions of iconic Sindhi film directors like Karim Bakhsh Nizmani, Hussain Shah Fazlani, and S Gul. He specifically mentioned their memorable work, such as the film Umar Marvi, which achieved remarkable commercial success, being screened in approximately 200 cinemas in Bombay (now Mumbai).
Renowned artist Manan Abbasi, popularly known as Mama Lalu, reminisced about the golden era when people would travel to cities like Hyderabad specifically for the cinema experience. "Now only memories are left," he stated, while also acknowledging the positive development of local theater and the commendable work of contemporary drama directors.
Famous TV actress Sakina Samoon added a personal note, revealing her lifelong passion for films. Having grown up watching memorable performances and later acting in films herself, she now contributes to the arts by directing several stage dramas, embodying the very transition from cinema to theater discussed at the session.
The session, which also featured insights from other speakers, ultimately served as a bittersweet reflection—honoring the faded glamour of Hyderabad's cinematic past while recognizing and encouraging the vibrant pulse of its evolving theatrical present.
