New Delhi: Uzbekistan and Pakistan are joining hands to make a historical drama on Babur—the founder of the Mughal Empire. It’s part of the bilateral engagement between the two countries, which includes “deepening of cooperation in television”, as per the Uzbekistan embassy’s press release.
The multi-episode project was announced after a meeting between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar and Alisher Tukhtaev, Uzbekistan’s Ambassador, in February this year.
Filmmakers from both countries will collaborate on the project. According to the official press release, the initiative will involve “organizing a special press tour to Uzbekistan for representatives of Pakistan’s leading media outlets, preparing joint television projects, video productions, and special reports, as well as conducting professional development courses, training programs, and media forums involving media representatives from both countries.”
Uzbekistan and Pakistan are also working on a documentary on the visits of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif to Uzbekistan and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Pakistan. “We are also ready to cooperate in producing a short film about the life and legacy of Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur. The film will focus on Babur’s childhood, his arrival in this region, and the establishment of his empire,” the Federal Minister said.
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Babur, the Mughal hero
The Mughal ruler is a celebrated figure in Uzbekistan. This is where Babur was born in 1483. The Babur Literary and House-Museum in Andijan used to be the ruler’s home. And the Babur International Foundation of Uzbekistan was established to promote the study of Babur’s history. Many other monuments, cultural projects, and parks, etc are dedicated to Babur in Uzbekistan.
Pakistan also has a Babur Forum. In fact, the two countries have often come together for projects involving the Mughal emperor. When Mirziyoyev visited Islamabad in February, Sharif unveiled the plaque for Babur Park.
“The Babur Park being constructed in the heart of Pakistan’s capital is a practical embodiment of the profound historical ties between Pakistan and Uzbekistan,” a Pakistani daily wrote.