This week You! talks to this multi-talented man regarding his film experience, working with a big cast and his future plans...
entertainment
Arenowned screenwriter, actor, director, producer and humorist Faisal Qureshi is a man of many traits. Faisal has directed comedy dramas, sitcoms, commercials and music videos. Faisal is a graduate from National College of Arts. He started his career in theatre with his brother Imran Qureshi. He then hosted a show ‘Video Junction’, however, he gained popularity by producing sitcom ‘Teen Bata Teen’ in 1990s. Faisal then directed many comedy-dramas and sitcoms including ‘Ulta Seedha’(2007) and ‘Uski Suno Awaz’ (2011) which were aired on GEO Entertainment. He has also directed television commercials and music videos including Ali Zafar’s ‘Channo’.
His debut film, ‘Money Back Guarantee’ (MBG) is going to be released this Eid-ul-fitr, featuring Fawad Khan, Shayan Khan and Wasim Akram in leading roles. This week You! talks to this multi-talented man regarding his film experience, working with a big cast and his future plans...
You! What motivated you to do a film?
Faisal Qureshi: I think every director has a dream to make a film for the big screen one day. I started my career in 1995 and finally after 28 years, my dream is going to come true this Eid.
You! Is MBG a political satire?
FQ: Yes, it is but I have also discussed different issues too related to general public. It is a very neutral film. The story revolves around a bank robbery.
You! Is MBG inspired by the famous Netflix series ‘Money Heist’?
FQ: Actually I don’t watch Netflix very much. So, when I discussed the idea with my team they told me to watch ‘Money Heist’ too. But, I refused to watch it as I didn’t want to pick anything indirectly from the series. I wanted to keep my story original. But yes, heist movies are more or less the same. Heist movies are a genre; films based on this theme were made before ‘Money Heist’ and I think this trend will continue in future too.
You! How did you find Wasim Akram and Shaniera Akram’s performance since they are not regular actors?
FQ: Wasim Akram had acted a little with me in a mobile phone service commercial but he was so good that I call him half cricketer and half actor. He is also fond of acting, so did well in the movie. But it was Shaniera’s first acting experience and I was so impressed with her acting skills. She was very professional in timings and learning scripts. She still asks me if I really liked her work. Yes, she was good and looked wonderful on screen.
You! How was your experience working with Fawad Khan?
FQ: It was terrific. I sent him the film’s script and asked if he wanted to do that role. Then he took a few days and confirmed to me that it was in his targeted list to work with me but asked if I could change that particular role (which was of a normal protagonist). So, after discussing with him, I rewrote the whole role and fitted it to the script. I went especially to Lahore to rehearse that role with him. Then we finally decided that it would work for the project. I must say Fawad nailed it. He has never done this kind of character before. This is Fawad Khan’s first comedy role for the big screen. It is something very new to him and I am sure his fans will like his character in MBG.
You! Tell us about the music in MBG?
FQ: There are only two songs in the movie and the rest are several musical statements of 30 seconds each. Every song is part of the story. It is like a dialogue transformed into a song and takes the story forward.
You! Have you written the songs of the film?
FQ: Yes. As I said, those songs are part of the script. So I could not give it to a song writer. These songs are merged with the dialogue in the script.
You! Why didn’t you choose any big role for yourself in the movie?
FQ: Actually, I am fond of working behind the camera. That is why I didn’t choose any main role in MBG for me. I have done different roles (about 18 to 20) in the film and each character comes on screen for only a few seconds. I think, wearing two hats of director and actor at the same time becomes a bit hectic. I wanted to focus on direction more.
You! Are you fond of directing more or acting?
FQ: I am not that fond of acting. I want to be called a director. I write my script myself because I feel what I want to say in my project can be better described by me than if I translate my thoughts to any other professional writer. So, I try to do my script myself too.
You! How did you manage discipline on the sets of MBG?
FQ: Everyone was cooperative and everything went smoothly. We had a big cast of about 28 actors in the film, besides guest appearances. Actually, our scenes usually had a big cast so if even one actor was late, that disturbed the whole theme. To control this situation, I started to get late comers out from the scenes. That practice helped me a lot and everyone started coming on time. Sometimes you need to be stern in order to get the work done.
You! Your debut film is releasing on Eid. You are working on your second film ‘Alif Noon’ and your third film is in pipeline. Can we say you are a full-time film director now?
FQ: I enjoyed MBG a lot. That was what I wanted to do. Then Covid happened and everything halted. My second film is actually the one which I wrote before MBG. The team decided to do it now. The shoot is about 45 per cent completed. The third, which I am going to shoot soon, is produced by Shayan Khan.
