Shakila’s writing career began in 1978 with her first play ‘Spirits’ which she directed and produced. She went on to create original theatre plays showcased at Watermans throughout the 90s. She has written screen plays as well as short documentaries. She has contributed to journals as well as blogs that range from politics to art.

2022 MIRROR WITHIN

SADLERS WELLS

Writer/concept

A short film exploring Nahid Siddiqui’s continued journey into Kathak dance and her personal evolution of the understanding to of the form. Music by Hassan Mohyeddin

2019 THE ART OF XENOFON KAVVADIAS

FEMINIST DISSENT

A short article exploring work created for an exhibition entitled The law is no  less  conceptual  than  fine  art,  based  on  the  words of Lord Carlile of Berriew  who  provided  legal  advice  after  the  Metropolitan  police  had warned  Kavvadias that he could be arrested and prosecuted under the Terrorism Act 2006 if he mounted any exhibition that featured texts such as  The  Islamic  Ruling  on  the  Permissibility  of  Martyrdom  Operations, a justification for suicide bombings used by Chechen extremists.

2014 Women Against Fundamentalism – Stories of Dissent and Solidarity

Gods and Daughters – a contributory chapter to the book that maps the development of the organisation over the past 25 years, through the life stories and political reflections of some of its members, focusing on the ways in which lived contradictions have been reflected in their politics. Their stories describe the pathways that led them to WAF, and the role it has played in their lives and in the forms of political activism in which they have engaged. Discussing feminist activism from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, contributors highlight the complex relationships of belonging that are at the heart of contemporary social life. https://lwbooks.co.uk/product/women-against-fundamentalism

2008 ZAKHMẾ DIL (A Scarred Heart)

SAVE THE CHILDREN (Birmingham)

Writer

A thirty-minute docu/drama on refugee young unaccompanied adults who tell and dramatise their story of escape from war-torn Afghanistan and Iran. The project included training the young people in aspects of film making from story development, scriptwriting, production and editing. This process enabled the young people to improve their language skills, develop an understanding of cultural differences and tolerance as well as gaining confidence and self-esteem. Some members of the group have opted for media courses, pursuing journalism and editing (Digital)

2005 THE LINE

FALCON FILMS

Writer

A short film on an Exorcist in deepest Southall, riddled with torment and darkness. Featuring Dev Sagoo

2004 RESTLESS SKIES

FALCON FILMS

Writer

A short film on a life a homeless woman in Southall. Featuring Mamat Anand

2002 THE LONGING

PAKISTAN TELEVISION – Azam Quereshi – S&M Films: Line Producers

Writer

A 13 Part serial of British Asian Suburban Life, FALAK is set in the heart of the Shires, leafy green, with Indian summers and the drama of English skies. It is the story of families living in their corner of England, in semi-detached houses on small streets, holding onto a multitude of dreams. (Commission only – not produced)

2001 THE WINTER OF LOVE (formerly A QUIET DESPERATION)

S&M Films

Writer

A feature length film set in Southall, following the story of Shammi, a man who returns to his Southall home and is forced to either face up to his history or keep on running. Opening film for Raindance East; followed by screenings at Cannes, National Film Theatre, BAFTA, Watermans, Leister, Birmingham and Glasgow (35mm)

2003 THE BRIDE

MADE IN ENGLAND

Writer

Live performance with film on a bride from the sub-continent condemned to violence and imprisonment. Performed at the Contact Centre in Manchester.

2000 TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE

BIRMINGHAM HEALTH AUTHORITY

Writer/Director

50-minute video drama on young Asian women and suicide in Britain. The video is used as a training tool for academics (Digital)

1998 ALL GOD’S ANGELS

MEHTAB THEATRE

Co-writer

A 40-minute monologue of a young woman’s conversation with God. Performed in Bradford and The Bull in Barnet.

1997 NOT JUST AN ASIAN BABE

MEHTAB THEATRE

Co-writer

Full-length stage play performed at the Etcetera Theatre, Camden, Watermans Arts Centre & The Bull Centre.

1995 NOT JUST AN ASIAN BABE

MEHTAB THEATRE

Co-Writer

A one-act play about the life and times of two Asian women working in the sex industry – a three-week run at the Oval House Theatre.

1991 HOLD MY HAND

ILLUSTRA

Writer

60 min. Narrative script on HIV/AIDS on a South Asian family and the dilemmas each individual faces when they discover that the daughter of the house has AIDS (Commission only – not produced)

1984 IQBAL BEGUM

STREET 7 – SOUTHALL STREET THEATRE COMPANY

Co – Writer

A thirty-minute street theatre production on Domestic Violence and sentencing of women who kill.

1978/81 SAHAR ARTS

SAHAR ARTS

Writer

Founder and Artistic Director of SAHAR ARTS. Produced a number of plays, which included: RANI – a thirty-minute play on a prostitute from Pakistan who makes it good in England. Manto’s TOBA TEK SINGH – a thirty-minute play on a mental institution caught up in the partition of the Sub-continent in 1947. SPIRITS – A sixty-minute play on a mixed race relationship between a Sikh girl and a Jamaican Rasta, which ends in tragedy.