<p>Sameera Aziz, the first Saudi filmmaker in Bollywood, wants the world to know about Saudi Arabia and is currently in India working on pre-production of 'Reem', her maiden Bollywood venture.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"My aim is to introduce Saudi Arabia to the outside world. Saudi Arabia is a hidden society. They have not come out and told the world about themselves and this created misconceptions," Sameera told IANS in an interview.<br /><br />'Reem' is the story of a Saudi girl who comes to India in search of her mother. "The story is about the challenges she faces in India whose culture is a new experience for her. Whether she finds her mother and love in India is something which you have to watch out," she said.<br /><br />Sameera, 35, journalist, Urdu writer, novelist, poetess and activist, is the director, producer and writer of the movie, which she plans to release worldwide by the end of next year.<br /><br />She took up filmmaking as she believes it is the most powerful medium of 21st century and this will help her introduce Saudi Arabia to the world.<br /><br />Sameera, who has written the script, has been coming to India for the last three years for pre-production work.<br /><br />"This a true story which I came across during my journalistic career. I want to give a message of peace and love through this film and show Saudi Arabia to the world because people don't know much except the holy cities of Makkah and Madina," she said.<br /><br />It's not lost and found story. "The story is powerful and with all twists and turns surprise the audience and engage them," she said.<br /><br />'Reem' will be a complete commercial film with all Bollywood elements. It will also have an item song, which will be belly dance. It also features a ghazal written by her.<br />Sameera Aziz Productions, formed by her, will finance the film along with some financiers from Bollywood.<br /><br />She has already finalised the Saudi cast for the film and plans to soon announce the Bollywood actors for the movie.<br /><br />Sameera, who has learnt filmmaking from experienced British and American filmmakers, feels working in Bollywood is easy.<br /><br />"There is no film industry in Saudi Arabia. It's difficult to work because there is no trained manpower, equipment or atmosphere. I also used to feel embarrassed because I was the only woman. Working there was tough as one person had to handle several works simultaneously," said Sameera who worked on five projects in Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />"When I came to Bollywood I found everything is organised. People are totally professional and qualified. I found working here is easy," she said.<br /><br />About her film projects in Saudi Arabia, she said they were all about human and women's rights.<br /><br />Also an activist, Sameera is fighting for women's rights, especially taking up the cases of NRI women who are victims of domestic violence.<br /></p>
<p>Sameera Aziz, the first Saudi filmmaker in Bollywood, wants the world to know about Saudi Arabia and is currently in India working on pre-production of 'Reem', her maiden Bollywood venture.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"My aim is to introduce Saudi Arabia to the outside world. Saudi Arabia is a hidden society. They have not come out and told the world about themselves and this created misconceptions," Sameera told IANS in an interview.<br /><br />'Reem' is the story of a Saudi girl who comes to India in search of her mother. "The story is about the challenges she faces in India whose culture is a new experience for her. Whether she finds her mother and love in India is something which you have to watch out," she said.<br /><br />Sameera, 35, journalist, Urdu writer, novelist, poetess and activist, is the director, producer and writer of the movie, which she plans to release worldwide by the end of next year.<br /><br />She took up filmmaking as she believes it is the most powerful medium of 21st century and this will help her introduce Saudi Arabia to the world.<br /><br />Sameera, who has written the script, has been coming to India for the last three years for pre-production work.<br /><br />"This a true story which I came across during my journalistic career. I want to give a message of peace and love through this film and show Saudi Arabia to the world because people don't know much except the holy cities of Makkah and Madina," she said.<br /><br />It's not lost and found story. "The story is powerful and with all twists and turns surprise the audience and engage them," she said.<br /><br />'Reem' will be a complete commercial film with all Bollywood elements. It will also have an item song, which will be belly dance. It also features a ghazal written by her.<br />Sameera Aziz Productions, formed by her, will finance the film along with some financiers from Bollywood.<br /><br />She has already finalised the Saudi cast for the film and plans to soon announce the Bollywood actors for the movie.<br /><br />Sameera, who has learnt filmmaking from experienced British and American filmmakers, feels working in Bollywood is easy.<br /><br />"There is no film industry in Saudi Arabia. It's difficult to work because there is no trained manpower, equipment or atmosphere. I also used to feel embarrassed because I was the only woman. Working there was tough as one person had to handle several works simultaneously," said Sameera who worked on five projects in Saudi Arabia.<br /><br />"When I came to Bollywood I found everything is organised. People are totally professional and qualified. I found working here is easy," she said.<br /><br />About her film projects in Saudi Arabia, she said they were all about human and women's rights.<br /><br />Also an activist, Sameera is fighting for women's rights, especially taking up the cases of NRI women who are victims of domestic violence.<br /></p>