JANGLOOS Vol 3 By: Shaukat Siddiqui

1. “JANGLOOS Vol 3” is a long novel by the renowned Urdu writer Shaukat Siddiqui.
2. The text describes memories of a time when “Sab Rang” magazine was primarily a story-based publication.
3. The author of the text made considerable efforts to acquire interesting and high-quality stories for “Sab Rang.”
4. Shaukat Siddiqui, author of the popular novel “Khuda Ki Basti,” lived a few streets away.
5. The author of the text would visit Siddiqui two to three times a week after sunset for several years.
6. The goal of these visits was to persuade Siddiqui to write a novel or memoir for “Sab Rang.”
7. A problem was that esteemed fiction writers were hesitant to publish in digest magazines.
8. Digest magazines had gained a reputation for publishing third-rate material and promoting superstition.
9. Early Karachi digests often featured stories about magic, jinns, ghosts, fairies, and myths.
10. Shaukat Siddiqui was described as a very cheerful, well-mannered writer, journalist, and fundamentally a storyteller.
11. He possessed a knack for creating realistic, impactful stories that touched the heart.
12. His company offered much wisdom and insight, covering politics, economics, social values, and literature.
13. Discussions often included anecdotes about other writers, which could be considered gossip, adding to the lively gatherings.
14. The author’s primary objective during these visits was to convince Siddiqui to write for “Sab Rang.”
15. Efforts were made to motivate and persuade him, but he would smile and say he wasn’t in the mood to write.
16. Siddiqui’s wife would sometimes join the gathering, and her intercession was sought multiple times.
17. Finally, after three to four years of persistent pleading, Siddiqui relented and agreed to write.
18. He was offered a fee that was unprecedented for a fiction writer in Urdu newspapers and magazines.
19. His lengthy novel “JANGLOOS,” published in “Sab Rang,” became so popular that TV producers decided to make a series.
20. However, the TV series was abruptly stopped after a few episodes, possibly due to its critical nature.
21. People say that if “JANGLOOS” were adapted to film according to its original text and spirit, it would be a major event.
22. Such an adaptation might expose many ‘house of mirrors’ or ‘glass palaces.’
23. Nevertheless, it was deemed significant that Shaukat Siddiqui had the opportunity to preserve “JANGLOOS” as a documentary novel on paper.
24. And it was also considered a relief that he himself remained safe and sound.
25. The text is written by Shakeel Adilzada and is taken from “Sab Rang Kahaniyan” Volume 8.