Neighbour's envy, Pakistan's pride

It is said that when Pakistan TV aired the serial Waris in the 1970s, roads as far as in Amritsar and beyond would be deserted. Four decades on, its author, Amjad Islam Amjad, rues the fact that English is taking over our languages. In Delhi earlier this week, Amjad, a recipient of Pride of Performance and Sitara-e-Imtiaz, some of Pakistan's top civilian honours, spends some time to respond to questions ranging from poetry and boundaries to his fears.

Who has been your greatest influence?
I read the classics more — not that I do not read my contemporaries. I enjoy the classics a lot more. Simply because these are the people who did not have the instruments through which we live life. And yet, they had the correct analysis. In my line of work, how can you beat Ghalib, Mir and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

You have written several award-winning dramas in Pakistan. They say that there is no second to Amjad Islam Amjad in Pakistan. What has been your winning formula?
Formulas are made later. What you do before that (is what) makes you memorable. If through your drama or serial, you speak to the minds of the people, and touch the nerve of their suffering, while keeping your attitude realistic and sympathetic, then they will be accepted and will tend to own it. I think that Waris was largely welcomed by the masses because until that point, no one had made a teleserial for the rural man. For the urbanites too, this was a new thing.

Indian films are a hit in Pakistan. And Pakistani dramas are a rage in India. Your comment.
India and Pakistan should have shared the relationship that Canada and America share. There are so many things that are common between us. We should have lived by that. The only difference here is that you make better movies while we make better dramas.

What is your greatest fear?
I do not suffer from a fear as such, but there is always the nagging worry that both countries are not living as closely as we should have, we do not acknowledge that much. That is the only reason that our children are growing apart. That is tragic.

When are you the happiest?
I'm basically a positive thinking, upbeat person. Despite the odd hiccups that life throws, I try and look at the bright side of things.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I think I trust people too easily. I don't know if that is because of my nature, but that has led to a few problems. Now, people who do not deliver on your confidence might also have their own problems. I tend to take people at face value.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
I don't know if I have reached my best yet. But of all I have achieved so far, I am thankful to god for giving me talent from a young age. I have been in the limelight for close to 50 years, and I am thankful for that.