CELEBRITY
Meanwhile , our television industry was looking for fresh faces . I sat foot in acting only when I received some decent offers , something that interested me . So , yes , relatively it was easier for me to get into acting because I was already in the entertainment industry .
What has been your best performance as an actor ? And what performance , when you look back at , you feel you could have done slightly better ? A year ago , I did a project called Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai . It was a story about a young boy ’ s obsession with a mature woman , almost twice his age , and the script was just wonderfully written . We followed the story from the boy ’ s late teens till his 60s , so as an actor , I got a huge margin to experiment . The changes in looks and maturity levels from childhood to an elderly were a delight to experience . The audience loved it as well . I can say this project is the highlight of my career so far .
… And a performance you could have done better ? I think I give a 100 % to all my projects . I get really involved in all my work . Yes , not all projects succeed and one person cannot be blamed for that . Directors , producers , the script , the cast , the TV channel , there are many factors that need to fall into place for a drama to be successful .
What one thing does the drama industry lack and could possibly work on ? The main viewers of our dramas are women , so the content is made for them . However , we need more male oriented stories because men are also watching dramas now .
Unfortunately , when male oriented dramas are made , they don ’ t get enough ratings , which results in less ad revenue for the TV channel and a problem for the producers . So , such dramas are discouraged , and we miss out on a lot of intelligent content merely because of the ratings .
For instance , as a musician , some of our band ’ s work is commercial while some is more instructive . Likewise , the TV industry should perhaps compromise a little on the commercial aspect and promote more educational work or male oriented stories , so the audience gets inclined towards watching different kinds of content and not similar stories over and over again .
How do you deal with rumors and celebrity gossip within the industry and on the media ? Rumors are a part of any industry . There are rumours and misunderstandings even in a corporate environment . It ’ s just our life is exposed to the public so things are circulated extraordinarily . I think the best way to deal with rumours is by not addressing them at all . You cannot please everyone and you cannot stop everyone from talking , so just keep yourself occupied in the work that you are doing and let the talk fade away .
What is the weirdest rumor you have heard about yourself ? Nothing , really , my life has been very straight forward .
Singing or acting ? Singing , for sure .
What is one thing you do , and advise others to follow , when you feel stuck creatively or when things don ’ t go as how you anticipate ? I would advise to just work hard and not stress about the results . Leave the latter to the Creator . I strongly believe everything comes in life in a timely manner . Do your best . If you get positive results , good on you , but if you don ’ t , work on something else . Do . Not . Stress !
What is one skill you feel every man and woman must know ? Can I say two ? Tolerance and empathy . They are traits , not skills , but we need these more than anything .
An actress you would like to work with in the future ? In Pakistan , I have gotten the opportunity to work with everyone . I have been a big Madhuri Dixit fan , so maybe her ?
A director you would like to work with ? Sarmad Sultan Khoosat .
What advice would you give your younger self ? Professional and personal . Nothing because even the mistakes I made gave me the strength to be what I ’ m right now . The mistakes are a part of the learning process .