Veteran Pakistani writer reveals he was approached to write Heeramandi when it was still a film project, citing patriotism and respect concerns behind his refusal.
Veteran Pakistani writer Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar has stirred fresh debate after revealing that he was once offered to write the script for what later became the Indian series Heeramandi, a claim he says he is sharing publicly for the first time.
Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Qamar disclosed that the project was initially conceived as a film titled Mandi, and not Heeramandi. According to him, he received multiple calls from India, including long conversations persuading him to take on the project. However, he said he declined the offer at the time, citing personal principles and national considerations.
Qamar framed his refusal around what he described as a lack of mutual respect between the two entertainment industries. He emphasized that Pakistani artists often extend significant hospitality and media attention to visiting Indian performers, while expecting similar treatment in return. He stated that he had asked for assurances of equal respect, including media acknowledgment upon arrival, even offering to write the script without charging a fee if those conditions were met.
The writer further revealed that he was approached again in 2015 but maintained his refusal, this time linking his decision to the political climate in India. He stated that he would not consider working there during the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a striking claim, Qamar said that the project’s maker had told him that the film version of Heeramandi would not proceed without his involvement. Reflecting on the eventual release of the project as a series rather than a film, he remarked that he felt vindicated when he saw its teaser, interpreting it as the fulfillment of that earlier statement.
The comments have reignited conversations about cross-border artistic collaborations, creative ownership, and the intersection of politics and entertainment in South Asia. Qamar, known for both his acclaimed scripts and outspoken views, continues to be a polarizing figure whose statements often spark intense public discourse.
His revelation also adds a new layer to the narrative surrounding Heeramandi, a project already under scrutiny for its portrayal of history and culture, further amplifying debate across audiences in both Pakistan and India.
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