C OVER STORY
his career. We studied in American schools. We heard
more of Western music. At home ghazals of Jagjit and
Chitra Singh would be heard. For me it was too much
at the age of 10. We used to be like, ‘Huh! Yeh kya ho
raha hai!’ Yes, we did watch Hindi films on VHS like Mr
India, Mr Natwarlal, Satte Pe Satta and even Chandni.
I thought Woh Saat Din was probably the most mature
film I had seen. Till date, the Kapoor legacy is being carried forward. Ranbir Kapoor is amazing. What a performer! What intensity!
Did you have any preconceived notions when you came
here as an actor?
Well, one preconceived notion was that dance would be
required of me. That’s something I was terrified of. Having said that, I’d like to attempt it someday. Just the other
day I told my manager that I wanted to learn tap dancing. It’s a great exercise, it teaches you beat coordination. Otherwise, I’m sure about what I can give.
What can you give?
As an actor I am willing to get besharam. That’s not being afraid of trying new things. You should be able to
make fun of yourself. Getting into the skin of the character liberates you. If you try to look polished and smart all
the time then you will act that way. But when you attempt
a new guise, a new character, then you become that
person. You can always blame it on the character you
played if you fear being judged.
Does your iconic popularity come from your films or TV
shows?
It was more owing to my television serials. It instilled
confidence in me. My introduction to the audience has
been through the television.
But your kind of talent doesn’t come unless you’re incredibly gifted...
Ha ha ha! I’m incredibly gifted. I believe I’ve a good eye
for observation. And it’s not that I’ve not done terrible
work. I’ve done some terrible work. I hate it. Some of
my performances are cringe worthy but I can’t name
them. (Chuckles) Why should I kill this aura that I’ve created about myself? But when I watch them, I know that
the next time I’m not gonna do that. Also I realised that
people do watch television. And you can make a difference there. When I began doing TV, I believed that a
television actor is nothing because nobody watches TV.
I thought it was not cool to be a TV actor. It was wrong,
because when I got into it, I realised it was the perfect
learning ground.
It’s said that Pakistani serials are better than Pakistani
films?
Television, in Pakistan, took over at a time when movies were on a decline and were put on the backburner
post the ’80s. Only regional films in Punjabi were being
made then. The culture of families going to the cinema
halls declined. But few directors kept making films, like
Syed Noor made Chudiyaan, which grossed around 30
crores, an unheard of figure then. By 2000, films had just
stopped being made. Then came Khuda Kay Liye (2007),
which was considered to be the revival of Pakistani cinema. But two years after that there was no film. Then
came Bol. So it’s unfair to say that television was better
than films. But now cinema there is being rebooted. I’ve
signed a few films, which I’m looking forward to. First is
a biopic on the life of musician Alamgir. It’s a touching
story that spans across three decades. Prosthetics will
be used to show the aging character. The other one is a
period action film, a magnum opus in Punjabi, which is a
remake of a classic from the ’70s called Maula Jatt. But
we have revamped the story and conceptualised it more
on the lines of The Game Of Thrones.
And are you listening to any interesting scripts here?
What about the Sahir Ludhianvi biopic?
There was talk. I’ve heard the subject. I’ve had the
chance of meeting the producer and the director. But
nothing has been finalised. I prefer to remain tight-lipped
about things unless something concrete happens because then you appear to be dropping names. That I
was offered this project but I didn’t do it.
You seem to be enjoying a long-distance relationship
with Mumbai.
Being here physically has its own advantages. You get
to meet the right people at the right time. You are in the
thick of things. But it’s been working fine for me according to my convenience. I’m a lazy bum. Basically, I don’t
like to work. I hate getting up and taking a shower to
go to work. Often I take a shower and then go back to
sleep. When I’m at work, it takes me an hour to get into
it. But once I’m into it, I don’t like getting out. I’m a child
like that. (Laughs) If there was a way that you could lie in
bed and make money, I’d opt for it. Okay, that came out
wrong. This long distance thing is working for me so far.
It gives me my space.
Is shifting to India a possibility?
It’s not possible because my whole setup, my whole family is there. And I don’t know how easy it is right now till
the official parameters are not in place. My son, Ayaan,
is also attending school there. I don’t work in a foreign
office where my family can live with me and my son can
attend school here. But whenever I leave Mumbai, I feel
ek aur din reh leta hoon. I have fun when I come here.
Adnan Sami has finally got an Indian citizenship. What’s
your take on it?
If an Indian would ever want to become a Pakistani,
or if a Pakistani an Indian or even a Nigerian, it’s fine.
You say you’re living in a global village. Why do you say
that if you don’t believe in the culture? I have no qualms
about such things though you cannot impress your opinion upon other people.
Showbiz has seen many breakups recently. Does being
an actor make it difficult to maintain a relationship?
(Laughs) What are you trying to hint at? Are you trying
to ask whether my marriage is falling apart? The reaso