Ali Sher

you & me

An engineering graduate and a Brand Identity Design Consultant by profession, Ali Sher had always been an old school romantic at heart. Despite his career, he was still trying to find his calling, something which would fulfil him. Carrying a passion for music, poetry, theatre, and cinema, the aspiring artist eventually gave in to his appetite for art and enrolled in the three-year-diploma for Theatrical Arts at National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).

In his own words, Ali reveals how he believed in the power of manifestation which led to his acting debut: starring as Romeo in the Zia Mohyeddin-directed Urdu adaptation of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ in 2022. “In all honesty, I couldn’t ask for a better debut,” he shares.

Following his impressive performance, Ali gathered plenty of praises which led to more opportunities on-stage and even on-screen. Last year, the actor appeared in a theatre play, ‘Nocturnal’. Most recently, he appeared in Bazelah Mustafa’s play, ‘V-Gen – Error 404: Not Found’, which ran during the recently concluded World Culture Festival. He also starred in the short film directed by Fiona Fern, titled, ‘Hi, I’m Sam’.

In a candid conversation with You! Ali Sher delves into his journey as a performing artist and what he is like off-stage. Read on...

* Did you always want to pursue performing as a career?

Yes, and no. I do remember filling in my classmates’ slam diaries wanting to be an actor besides a couple of other glorious professions, but I also remember feeling so strongly about going to MIT for engineering, I still don’t know why though. It was not until the start of my undergraduate studies that I was sure I wanted something to do with film or storytelling which later paved the way to where I stand today.

* What do you love most about theatre?

What I absolutely love about theatre is the continuous improvement through long rehearsal process, uninterrupted character arc, margin for exploration, experimentation and improvisation. And of course, on-the-spot response of the audience.

* Do you have any plans for taking on films and TV roles?

I’m always open to opportunities regardless of the medium, as long as the script is appealing and the character is interesting. And of course, I like to work with a good team.

* What do you like most about your job?

I’ve discovered a lot more about myself and people in general than what I used to know. Apart from the love and admiration of audience, I guess it’s the escape from the monotony of modern-day life, becoming more conscious of myself and my surroundings, and looking at life through different lenses every time, that I like the most.

* Favourite person to work with…

Zia Saab was the one, for sure. Also, I always love working with Bazelah Mustafa and our core team.

* A character you wish you could’ve played:

Many… but Thomas Shelby from ‘Peaky Blinders’ will probably always top the list.

* A project that you hold really close to your heart:

For some reason, it’s always my most recent project at the time, so currently it’s the theatre play, ‘V-Gen – Error 404: Not Found’.

* If you weren’t doing what you are doing today, you would be...

I would never settle for anything until I finally got that sense of belonging and fulfilment. So, if not for this, I’d still be exploring and trying to figure it out.

* At this point in life, what do you think is your life’s theme song?

‘Feeling Good’ by Michael Bublé.

* Your favourite genre in music:

Indie/Pop-Rock.

* Your favourite singer:

Asfar Hussain, currently.

* Your all-time favourite movies:

‘Forrest Gump’, ‘Dead Poets Society’, ‘Detachment’, ‘Million Dollar Baby’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind’, ‘Perks of Being A Wallflower’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘Haider’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Laal Kabootar’… the list goes on.

* Your favourite actors:

Tom Hanks and Andrew Garfield.

* A memorable dialogue:

“Let’s put a smile on that face” – Heath Ledger as the Joker.

* What’s your Roman Empire?

Travelling.

* If you were stranded on an island, what are two things you’d want with you?

Probably an axe and a blanket, I don’t know any better.

* What advice do you have for young artists coming into the field?

Being a young artist myself, all I can say is have respect for your work, the people you are working with, and most importantly yourself. Don’t be desperate. And lastly, don’t forget to have fun!

* Who is your biggest inspiration?

My parents.

* The biggest misconception about you...

I am arrogant.

* Who’s your bestie in the industry?

Hasan Kamal, you may remember him as Kashish from drama serial ‘Guru’.

* One thing you like best about yourself:

Integrity.

* What’s your most valuable possession?

My talent.

* Define happiness in three words:

Purpose, freedom, family (friends included).

* You are afraid of…

Regrets.

* One thing that always cheers you up:

Good humour (lame at times).

* Your idea of romance:

Old school.

* What’s your biggest turn off? 

Irrationality.

* You are crazy about…

Good poetry.

* What do you usually wear in daily life?

Comfort over aesthetics, you could say that I dress like a homeless person when I’m by myself.

* Your favourite designer labels:

None, I pick whatever I like on me.

* A style icon that you wish you could bring back from the dead?

Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

* One food that you can eat forever:

Steak and rice.

* How do you spend your day off?

Unwinding. Treating myself to good food and good company.

* Your favourite hangout place:

Wherever the people I want to hang out with are.

* Your favourite place in the entire world:

I haven’t found it yet, but it probably looks something like the wooden cabin in the mountains from the ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’.

* What’s next on your bucket list?

A worthy feature film and directing for theatre.

Photography: Syed Jawwad Ali