Chalay Thay Saath, due to release on April 21st, is certainly creating a buzz. The pairing of Syra Sharoz and Chinese actor Kent S Leung has grabbed headlines but the feel-good family entertainer features a strong ensemble cast including Mansha Pasha, Zhalay Sarhadi, Behroze Sabzawari, Shamim Hilali and newbies Fariz Khalid and Osama Tahir.
Chalay Thay Saath tells the story of a group of good friends at very different stages of life. Resham (Syra Sharoz) is a doctor on the brink of a major change in her life which Zain (Osama Tahir) and Tania (Mansha Pasha) are married but finding that life after “qabool hai” isn’t always straightforward.
The film focuses around a trip to Hunza where the group meet Adam (Kent Leung), whom Resham falls for. While Kent and Syra’s romance is one focus of the movie, the additional characters all have a story to tell. We talk to Mansha Pasha and Osama Tahir about their roles.
Mansha Pasha is an acclaimed television actress with four years experience and a range of roles under her belt. Osama Tahir is a theater actor and this is his first role on screen. Playing husband and wife, they brought very different backgrounds to the film.
What made you decide to do Chalay Thay Saath?
Mansha: The role really appealed to me. Tania is a complex woman and you find yourself trying to guess why she behaves the way she does. The script is really interesting, with realistic life-like characters that really grow as the story progresses. It’s a feel good family entertainer that doesn’t need gimmicks like item numbers – it relies of a great story, location and strong actors to make an impact. I’ve been offered several film in the past but this was the first project to really interest me – it combined an engaging story, a meaty role and a brilliant team…what more could you ask for?
Osama: I hadn’t considered film before but this was an intriguing project. It deals with a range of human emotions and has a great mix of personalities. Having Arad Junejo on board as an acting coach really upped my comfort level as I’ve worked with him before. Nevertheless it was a steep learning curve for me, particularly in terms of becoming aware of camera angles and the technicalities of acting for film.
What makes Chalay Thay Saath special?
Mansha: It has a very strong ensemble cast and all the characters have a story. Zain and Tania’s story is as intriguing as Resham and Kent’s. There’s something that everyone can relate to – singles, married people, the older generation…..Shahmim Hilali has a lovely story arc as a sixty-something woman travelling on her own for the first time. The story really encapsulates the idea that when life goes out of your control, you just have to deal with it.
Osama: It’s a very entertaining story set in a fabulous location. Hunza is simply spectacular and the culture and area are really incorporated into the story. The characters are very engaging and their struggles are universal – people will relate to their emotions irrespective of their own background. Umer Adil is a very sympathetic director who lets you experiment although he has a strong vision. This led to a very positive atmosphere on set and I think that shows in the performances.
What was Hunza like?
Mansha: The scenery is spectacular and the people are very welcoming. It’s a place that’s very affected by the seaons – in March there were blossoms everywhere and it was a little cold. When we went back to shoot in summer, there was so much delicious fruit…strawberries, cherries etc. I was also impressed by how involved the women are in the community. They take part in trade and we visited a carpentry workshop run by women.
Osama: It’s such a beautiful, friendly place. The quality of the air was fantastic and the locals were extremely educated and helpful. It was a incredible place to shoot in.
Chalay Thay Saath in a nutshell
Mansha: Chalay Thay Saath is a feel-good movie with depth. It’s about love, friendship and relationships and although it has a message, it’s never preachy. It’s a fun, entertaining story and we hope you’ll all love it.
Osama: Chalay Thay Saath is a brilliant movie to see with the whole family. It’s a great story that has something for everyone and will leave you smiling. We hope you enjoy it.
