Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar Reveals He Rejected Offer to Write ‘Heera Mandi’

Renowned Pakistani playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar has revealed that he was offered to write the script for the Indian project “Heera Mandi,” but he declined the offer.

Speaking in a podcast, he shared that the project was initially planned as a film titled “Mandi.” He noted that the subject has long been considered controversial in Pakistan, despite legendary writer Saadat Hasan Manto having written about it.

Qamar said he received multiple long calls from India but initially refused the offer on the basis of patriotism. He later set a condition that Pakistani writers should be given the same respect as Indian artists receive in Pakistan.

He further stated that he was even willing to write the script for free if given due respect, but eventually rejected the offer again in 2015, making it clear he would not visit India during the tenure of Narendra Modi.

In another interview, he also spoke about his personal life, revealing that he was not very close to his mother despite her sacrifices. He recalled an emotional incident from Eid-ul-Adha when his mother arranged food again just to fulfill his wish.

He added that he was closer to his father and faced strictness from him due to his early interest in writing. Qamar shared that his mother was diagnosed with cancer when he was 15 and passed away when he was 18.

He concluded by saying that people often fail to value their parents during their lifetime but deeply feel their absence after they are gone.