‘Nakkash’ Director Speaks of His Fixation on Religion-Based Movies

Zaigham Imam makes films based on Hindu-Muslim relations. After a long career in journalism, he pursued film-making.

The Quint speaks to the writer-director Zaigham Imam and the lead actor Inaamulhaq of the film ‘Nakkash’.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Quint speaks to the writer-director Zaigham Imam and the lead actor Inaamulhaq of the film Nakkash. Zaigham Imam has always made films with Hindu-Muslim story-lines. After a long career in journalism, he pursued film-making.

Why is the topic of Hindu-Muslim relations so special?

At times, you are unable to get over things. Satyajit Ray is my inspiration for movies and I have grown up watching his films. I consider him my guru and I feel there is no bigger filmmaker than he. He made the Apu trilogy. It was a thing for me to follow him.

Actor Inaamulhaq has worked in films like Airlift, Jolly LLB 2, Lucknow Central. When it comes to doing films, he is very picky.

Why did you select this film?

I have been a writer myself. After a long time I saw a script where I felt I finally got a job. My friends and family keep pointing out how many scripts I reject and how unemployed I am. But I can’t agree to work on something unless my heart is in it.

Upon being asked about religious discrimination in India, Imam said,

“I would honestly say, without any political agenda, that a few incidents are given way too much attention. There is fake news which is spreading. Portraying positives as negatives. But you cannot judge India in 5-25 years. It’s thousands of years old and will be there for a long time in the future.”

(This was originally published on Quint Hindi)