SRINAGAR: Two actors from Jammu and Kashmir won top awards at MIFF 20- Montgomery International Film Festival-2020, media reports said. They are Zahid Qureshi and Hina Khan. Qureshi is from Poonch and Khan is half Kashmiri.
Both the actors were in the lead cast of film Lines. The film is about a woman caught in the political divide. Khan gave an idea of the film last year when she wrote on Instagram: “Last year, Hina Khan had shared the first poster of Lines and also talked about her character Nazia. Sharing the poster on Instagram, she wrote, “Emotions don’t change because of the borders in between. The life and plight of #Nazia is a simple portrayal of any girl who faces the magnitude of ordinary challenges in a not so ordinary story. Lines is my debut in films. I hope you all love it as much we loved it. This is the first look launched at Cannes film Festival and an official poster, which depicts more than a poster can (sic)!”
Qureshi hails from Fazalabad area of Poonch. He was awarded for being the best supporting character in the film. His family still lives in Poonch. “For me acting is like breathing, this is something in my soul and I am not in the race to get roles and struggle in Bollywood, for me my art is my being, I cannot just go out and sell it on a shop. If someone finds me worth and asks me to do a role then I am honoured and I do that,” Qureshi was quoted by media saying.
The film actually was nominated for Best Actress, best director Hussain Khan, best film and best-supporting actor Zahid Qureshi. Finally, the film won two top awards; best actress that Hina Khan got and the best supporting actor for Zahid Qureshi.
The film has Farida Jalal and Khan in lead roles. “This month I complete 12 years in the industry and I couldn’t be more proud of myself as my film LINES, is getting an overwhelming response overseas and has added another reason for the celebration,” Khan wrote on her Instagram handle. “I am so thrilled and excited to share a token of appreciation received at the prestigious Montgomery International Film Festival, the USA as Best Actress (Feature Film) (sic).”
Lines was produced by Rahat Kazmi Films and co-produced under Hina and Rocky Jaiswal’s production venture Hiros Faar Better Films. It was directed by Hussain Khan and also starred Farida Jalal in the lead role. Lines was reportedly written by Rahat Kazmi and Shakti Singh and was shot in Kashmir.
