It’s self-satisfaction and inner peace, but success is also a confusing concept for me. The more famous you become, the more difficult it is to judge between a friend and foe....
US TALK
What does success mean to you?
It’s self-satisfaction and inner peace, but success is also a confusing concept for me. The more famous you become, the more difficult it is to judge between a friend and foe.
Something you learned early in your career that helped you become a better actor?
I go through the entire script and see if the role offered is worthy enough to be performed. Leading characters have never been my preference. Challenging roles which offer a substantial margin of performance are most appealing to me.
What is the most challenging thing about this career?
I didn’t have any resources when I started out. I had to struggle a lot and my efforts made me learn how to resonate with the real world, something I was not aware of before entering this industry.
Did you get any formal education for this career? If not, how did you learn the craft of acting?
No, I didn’t. I think it is your work experience that enables you to comprehend things and understand the rules of the game. Perfection in craft comes from experience and the variety of roles an actor gets to perform. It’s important to keep challenging yourself and avoid getting typecast in similar roles.
Who are some of your role model actors/actresses, and what do you like about their work?
I don’t have any role models. I don’t enact a role after getting inspiration by another actor. I just believe in going through the script to evaluate the character and deliver it to the best of my ability.
From all your roles so far, which role was the most meaningful to you, and why?
I play an undercover agent in my upcoming movie Dhai Chaal which is produced by Irfan Ashraf and directed by Taimoor Sherazi. I hope the audience will love it. It’s very patriotic, all about the love we have for our country.
Do you believe good looks and connections make a star?
In some ways, yes, as it can give you instant access to the industry if you can find people to facilitate you, but to carve your own niche as a good actor, you need to have a reservoir of talent and dedication.
How has social media changed things for you?
It has been a very tricky area for me as I am not very good at it. But I do think it’s quite a revolution.
How do you deal with self-doubt?
I just evaluate my work, try to do my best and leave the rest to Allah.
Three pieces of advice for aspiring actors.
Gain education, be passionate and be honest.
Date of birth
October 18
The best thing about being a teenager was
I was energetic while growing up and used to work like a rocket, unlike other boys my age who were very lazy.
The worst thing about being a teenager was
There was no worst thing. I learnt from my experiences, even from my mistakes. I feel that both encouragement and criticism are of equal importance in that age and essential in one’s upbringing.
My favourite actors
I have always found politicians as our best actors but apart from them Aishwarya Rai is my favourite.
My favourite singer
Atif Aslam! I feel he is God’s chosen one, very blessed, Mashallah.
My favourite superhero
Thunder Cats. I wanted to have that sword they used to fight with.
My favourite book
Our Holy Book
My closet was full of
Clothes
My favourite subject was
Biology
My least favorite subject was
Physics
My friends were
Big jerks! But they were always there for me.
What used to hurt me the most
Miserable living conditions of our people due to the poor infrastructure of my metropolis.
I wish I had known then
My worth
Relations with family were
Super
I couldn’t stand
Lies, liars and fakeness
My favourite food
Any good food; doesn’t matter if its desi, continental, Chinese, etc.
My favourite hangout
Beaches and a few exotic locales in the UK.
My favorite sport was
Cricket and soccer
5 things I couldn’t live without
Water, food, friends, family and work
Coordination: Ehsan Iqbal
