In conversation with Ghulam Mohiuddin

With over four and a half decades in the business and a filmography that comprises over 300 features, veteran actor, Ghulam Mohiuddin has grown increasingly selective.

From doing multiple Urdu and Punjabi films per year back in the day to taking a hiatus, Mohiuddin is not looking to ‘appear’ on the big screen himself these days. His voice, however, will bring to life one of the titular characters of the upcoming animated film, Tick Tock.

Mohiuddin, who had voiced the protagonist, essayed by Christopher Lee, in the Urdu version of the Hollywood production Jinnah (1998), was approached by the writer of the film, Omair Alavi, to provide the voice for the character of Gobo for it demanded a similar baritone voice.

“During casting, he recommended me to the producer and how he thought my voice would suit that particular character. After a couple of weeks, we locked a schedule and I flew in to Karachi to dub for the film,” he says of how he was approached for the project.

Originally born as a TV series, Tick Tock eventually became a feature film that promises a trip down the memory lane to educate children about significant events from Pakistan’s history. Apart from Ghulam Mohiuddin, actors such as Ahsan Khan, Alyy Khan and Maria Memon are voicing the other leading characters in Tick Tock.

When asked if he had reservations about working on an experimental undertaking, the actor states, “There was no hesitation at all. In fact, I was very happy because I’ve always tried to take up projects that are challenging. When I met the makers, I thought they had a very clear vision for the film and the dubbing went smoothly as well.”

Many have denounced the quality of animation, seen in teaser of Tick Tock especially after the benchmark set by the film, Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor.

“I think we’ve proven that we have something to offer. We are capable, provided we have the opportunity to showcase it,” Mohiuddin says of technological advancement. “As for animation, I think it’s been done really well and I’m satisfied. I think it’s embedded in our culture to criticize everything at least 80 per cent. It’s damaging for the industry. You must appreciate people, so they’re able to produce something better in their next.”

Discussing Pakistani cinema at large, he opined that veterans must be taken along in contemporary productions. “There are a lot of films being made but the success ratio is very low. Most of all, the content is very weak and seniors who belong to films aren’t being brought on-board. Everybody who sets out to make a film must understand the medium’s temperament. Veterans need to be included, as consultants maybe. The industry may be established that way but these aspects need to be rectified.”

Mohiuddin’s last live-action feature, Sawal 700 Crore Dollar Ka (2016) completely tanked at the box office. When asked about it, he blames it on the number of screens given to his film in comparison to Salman Khan’s Sultan, with only one show per day. But he also admits that the narrative played out in a regressive fashion and views it as learning experience.

“I agree, the content fell weak in the film,” Mohiuddin tells Instep. “But a number of independent sequences (like the ones with car chases, helicopters and the music) were outstanding. Jamshed (director) acknowledged his blunders himself but you see a film is something that can never be absolute. At the end of the day, you must learn something from your mistakes and we all did.”

As for the rest of it, his on-and-off sabbaticals have more to do with lack of proper characterization. “Only Javed Sheikh is working (from my generation) and that too because there are a couple of teams he works with regularly and of course, he’s a good actor. But casting is mostly done in a way where deserving artists are not considered in this wave of introducing new people,” he highlights, before adding; “I agree, we need fresh talent, but then why are people complaining about the lack of substantial performances? Why are they posting old film clips on social media? A lot of people don’t want their film to be ‘filmy’, which is a completely incorrect approach. I think there needs to be some unity amongst filmmakers. We get nothing out of unnecessary competition with one another, or even Indian films.”

Apart from films, Mohiuddin starred in three serials, most notably Yasir Nawaz’ Khudgharz (currently on-air) alongside Sami Khan and Aamina Sheikh.

“I don’t act because I want to show my face, I act because I want to work. I have to maintain my level as an artist. Instead of working for a couple of days on a project and doing a handful of scenes in a 20-episode-long serial, I want characters that I can bring something to,” he comments.

Apart from Tick Tock, Mohiuddin has also recorded for one of the characters in another animated film called DK Badshah, which is being made by a Dubai-based team. As for his acting return to the cinemas, he’s completed shooting for Amin Iqbal’s Rehbra, which stars Ahsan Khan and Ayesha Omar in the lead.

-Tick Tock is all set to hit cinemas on March 23.