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| Via: Ary Digital HD |
Recently, two paintings by Sindh-based artist Safdar Ali, which had been missing for seven years, were unexpectedly discovered in a scene from the drama Kabhi Mein Kabhi Tum, starring Fahad Mustafa and Hania Aamir. Despite this surprising development, the drama’s production company, Big Bang Entertainment, has issued a statement distancing itself from the situation.
According to Dawn News, Safdar Ali, an artist from Dherki, Sindh, was stunned to see his lost artworks featured in a scene from the drama while watching the latest episode on YouTube. In this scene, the paintings were visible in the backdrop behind the characters Adeel and Natasha. Ali expressed his astonishment, noting, “I kept rewinding the scene, trying to confirm whether these were indeed my paintings.”
Ali, known for his work under the name Safdar Ali Safi Somro, had created a series of paintings for his thesis at the University of Jamshoro in 2016. These artworks were displayed in an exhibition at Karachi's Frere Hall in 2017 under the title "Innocent Faces." According to the exhibition’s rules, if the paintings were sold, the proceeds would go to the artist; otherwise, the paintings would be returned. However, after requesting the return of his artworks, Ali was informed that they had gone missing.
Ali shared that he and several other artists faced similar issues but refrained from taking action, feeling powerless in the situation. Frere Hall's management has stated that the paintings are still in their gallery, and artists who believe their work is among the missing can retrieve it by presenting proof of ownership. However, it remains unclear whether the drama scene was filmed at Frere Hall or another location.
Mohammad Saleem, in charge of the Frere Hall Art Gallery, noted that artists are generally asked to collect their artworks after exhibitions. He mentioned that despite public notices, many artists did not respond. Saleem also revealed that aside from Ali, artworks from 70 to 80 other artists are still at the gallery. Ali, however, stated that he has lost track of the receipt from that period.
Ali has attempted to contact Frere Hall, YouTube, and ARY Channel’s management for several days without success. Following a social media post about the issue, numerous YouTube users have commented on the drama’s episode, demanding the return of the paintings and compensation.
In response, Big Bang Entertainment, the production house behind Kabhi Mein Kabhi Tum, has asserted that they have no involvement in the matter. They expressed sympathy for Ali and clarified that the location where the scene was filmed was rented, and all items, including artworks, were considered the property of the location's owner. The company advised Ali to resolve the issue directly with the relevant authorities.