Ghotki artist spots ‘lost’ artwork, calls out Frere Hall

In an unforeseen development, Ghotki Artist Seffy Soomro made a startling discovery while watching the TV show “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum”, starring Hania Aamir and Fahad Mustafa when he saw his own artwork that had been reported missing years ago.

The pieces, which Soomro believed had disappeared after being sent to Frere Hall in Karachi for an exhibition in 2017, appeared on screen. Soomro was told from officials that the artworks were lost, leading him to eventually believe they were gone for good.

Soomro took to social media to accuse Frere Hall of misappropriating his paintings. In a Facebook post, he wrote, “Assalam o Alikum, I’m Seffy Soomro from Daharki, district Ghotki. In 2017, I entrusted my paintings to Frere Hall for an exhibition. After it ended, I asked for their return but was informed they were missing. I eventually accepted this, thinking they were indeed lost.”

The discovery of his artwork in episode 17 of the drama felt like a betrayal to Soomro. He claimed, “I was told my paintings were lost, but they seem to have been reused or sold for profit. I have not been credited for them yet.”

Soomro highlighted that these works were part of his thesis for the University of Sindh’s Fine Arts Department, underscoring their personal and academic significance saying he has concrete evidence to support his statement.

Big Bang Entertainment, the production company behind “Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum”, in response released statement clarifying their position saying, “the location and assets, including the paintings, used in the scene were rented”. The company expressed their support for Soomro and urged him to address the issue with the venue owners directly.

Following the controversy, Sindh Cultural Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah has also set up a two-member committee, consisting of the director general of culture and the director general of antiquities, to investigate the further matter.