Lubna’s new show is a contemporary take on culture we live in

Lucknow’s bahu Lubna Salim’s new TV show is set in Bhopal yet its soul and characterization is that of a small-town story that is normally seen in Uttar Pradesh.

“The story of Mariyam Khan — Reporting Live is based in Bhopal but it’s something what we see in Lucknow and other small town cities in UP. The story is so simple and generic that it looks like mine or your own story,” says Lubna on her visit to the state capital.

The serial has been made by Majid Azam who hails from Aligarh while its creative head is her husband Salim Arif, a Lucknowite.

“It’s a contemporary take on the culture we live in. Even in the City of Nawabs here, we no longer do farshi salam or wear gararas in routines so in the show too we have given it a modern take to it except dada huzoor (played by SM Zaheer) who still lives in the Nawabi era. It’s a simple Muslim home we all have grown up in,” she says.

Explaining further she says, “It’s a slice of life show with no over the top stuff, no saas-bahu stuff or larger-than life designer clothes or flowery language. It’s not a Ram-Sita jodi nor the negative is Ravan. It’s a simple story from 8-yearold Mariyam’s perspective.”

She says that the show has used a lot of animation to make it quirky.

“Mariyam has an imaginary tortoise Ghalib which actually is a stone with which she interacts. It’s about three sisters, parents and dada huzoor,” she says.

Lubna’s role Rifat has shades of grey in it.

“Technically, I am playing a negative lead but if you look at it she is one of those women in family who is selfish for her family, society and status. She does simple-simple ‘chalakis’ for her husband’s gain. I have not done a role like this before. I have played out-and-out negative roles but nothing like this,” she says.

The couple is working together on TV after many years. “We keep doing plays and activities together but we have not done any TV serial since Daman (2005). I came on board much later and was invited on a very professional level and also that I liked the story and my role. I was very apprehensive working together on such a close level. Good thing is that mine and other characters were given free hand to design the looks and develop the character for the Star Plus show.”

She has a film release linedup. “I have finished Ritesh Batra’s project with Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Dangal-girl Sania Malhotra. I play her mother and it’s a very good attempt by the Lunchbox director. It’s a very interesting pairing and script. I play a Gujarati. I hope to see it released in July-August,” says the O My God actor.

In between she has done three international projects two web series and short films.

“Thankfully, I have the liberty of doing roles that I like and challenges me. Various mediums keep me busy so I am happy doing everything. Recently, I did a play Pinocchio which had 31 kids on stage with live music and action. Then we did Tajmahal Ka Udghatan with Vrajesh Hirjee (both directed by Salim Arif).”

It’s a slice of life show with no over the top stuff, no saasbahu stuff or largerthan life designer clothes or flowery language. It’s a contemporary take on the culture we live in LUBNA SALIM, ACTOR

HT PHOTO Lubna Salim