2017 has been a year of challenges for Pakistani cinema.
With more flops and a few debatable hits, Rangreza’s trailer seems to be a breath of fresh air in the cinema smog.
The trailer looks enticing, Gohar Rasheed especially seems to be a contender for an acting award next year.
Sana Zehra sits down with Bilal Ashraf, Ghana Ali and Gohar Rasheed for a quick rapid fire on love, life and Rangreza
Interview: Sana Zehra
Photography: Arsalan Bilgrami of a.bilgrami studio
Hair & makeup: Nabila’s
Outfits: Deepak Perwani
Jewellery: Kohar
Bilal Ashraf
What’s your favourite place on earth?
Karachi
Favourite food?
Qeema Roti
Denim or pants?
Denim
Collared shirt or t-shirts?
T-shirts
One thing you can’t live without?
Family
What does love sound like?
Sounds beautiful
What’s on your Ipod right now?
Phool khil jaingay
Favourite song to play on the guitar?
Wish I did but unfortunately I don’t know how to play the guitar.
Favourite song to play in the car?
Bulleya from Rangreza
What’s the best song to sing while you’re getting ready for a night out?
Namumkin from Pepsi Battle of the Bands
What’s the best song to put on when you are having a romantic night in?
I don’t know.
If Adele came up to you right now what would you say to her?
Sing
What’s the closest you have ever come to death?
Pretty close. When I was 13 I had a relapse of typhoid and it was pretty bad.
Biggest inspiration?
My father
What turns you off?
Bad body odour
If you weren’t an actor you’d be?
An architect
Favourite perk of the job?
To travel a lot
How did you make your first buck?
Making sandwiches at college
TV series you’d watch to back to back?
Game of Thrones
Song you’d listen to back to back?
Coke Studio’s Uss Rah Paar
First album you ever bought?
Bryan Adams
One thing you are really bad at?
Managing things
One superhero power you would love to have?
Mind control
Favourite fan moment?
It was when I was in London at Selfridges and I had people from across the border come and take pictures with me. Guess they’d seen Jaanan and were super happy to meet me.
Three qualities you want in your partner?
Adventurous, sporty, honest.
Advice to men with a broken heart?
Give it time, it will heal.
Relationship advice to a 15 year old Bilal?
Stay away
Craziest thing you ever did for a woman?
I flew to New York.
What would your ex-girlfriend be thinking right now?
I hope she is not thinking about MR (Mr. Right).
How many donuts are you able to eat in one sitting?
I don’t like donuts.
Favourite kind of cookie?
Double Dark Chocolate Dark from Ben’s Cookies, London
If you were a biscuit what flavor would you be?
Definitely dark chocolate
Who, in your opinion, is the best dressed man in the industry?
Fawad Khan
Who, in your opinion, is the best dressed women in the industry?
Mahira Khan
What song best describes your work ethics?
Born to be Wild
If we came to your house for dinner, what would you make for us?
Burgers
What would your dj name be?
Dj Billo
Would you rather be giant or microscopic?
Microscopic
What’s your favourite colour?
Green
Least favourite colour?
Beige
What’s the weirdest word in the English language?
Burp
What’s your favourite season?
Winter
How do you describe living in Pakistan?
Dangerous and unpredictable
What’s your favourite movie of all time?
Scent of a Woman
Favourite movie in the past five years?
Baby Driver
Favourite TV show that’s currently on?
Game of Thrones
Is this the strangest interview you’ve ever had?
No.
Ghana Ali
Who should every one be following right now?
Dj Khaled
What’s the coolest thing in your wardrobe?
At the moment, it’s a Stella McCartney dress I wore to the Lux Style Awards.
What’s your favourite restaurant in Karachi?
None
What do you love on your pizza?
Mushrooms
Favourite drink?
Virgin Mojito
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
Dark chocolate
Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I don’t like sushi
Dogs or cats?
Dogs
Best gift you’ve ever received?
My sister had this beautiful diamond necklace, which I ended up wearing to the Lux Style Awards. She gave it to me without ever wearing it. That was something very special to me.
Last gift you gave a friend?
I gave some makeup and a fragrance to my really good friend.
Jeans or trousers?
I like trousers more.
A person you want to have coffee with?
My sister
Who is Ghana Ali?
A born actress my mom used to say: “She is always acting. Dramay kar rahi hay.†(She is acting like a drama queen).†My parents were both working and I had a lot of time to be on my own and watch a lot of TV. I remember watching a movie with Katrina back to back and ended up cutting my own hair just like her.
Who gave you your breakfast this morning?
My best friend Waqas.
Any thoughts on Rangreza?
Am very close to the cast and crew of Rangreza, it is my family. Everyone has been nothing but nice to me. There were a few problems in the beginning but Munib, Urwa, Gohar and Bilal they have all been extremely nice to me and am super excited about this.
What does GT means to you?
I have spent good times with GT and by the way my original name is Ghana Tahir so GT is my nickname too!
Gohar Rasheed
Describe Gohar Rasheed in three words?
Loyal
Risk taker
Adventurous.
One thing you can’t live without?
People who I love I’m extremely close to them I can’t imagine my life without them.
What’s the coolest thing in this room?
The piano in the back
Favourite season?
Winter
What do you like to do in your extra time?
Dining out and watching movies
Favourite movie?
The list is huge. Gangs of New York, Fight Club, Scent of a Woman so yeah the list goes on.
Favourite movie in the last five years?
Punjab Nahin Jaongi
What’s a book you plan on reading?
My friend Bilal Lashari recommended The Kite Runner. Am really looking forward to reading that.
Iphone or Android?
Neither
Favourite food?
Desi
Do you have a tattoo?
No
Are you in love?
No, not atm.
Favourite solo artist?
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Favourite song?
I love all Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan songs.
If your life were a song, what would the title be?
How do you like me now by The Heavy.
If you could sing a duet with an actress, who would it be?
Saba Qamar
A historical figure you’d love to have coffee with?
Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
What’s your favorite board game?
Ludo/Parcheesi
What’s your favorite country to visit?
UK
What’s the last country you visited?
Dubai
What country do you wish to visit?
Canada and I’d really like to visit Vancouver.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Being a healer.
Is this the strangest interview you’ve ever had?
No, I’ve been through worse.
What does Rangreza mean to you?
Rangreza is my heart! I’m extremely attached to it. My character Waseem Wallay has become my better half I have been living with the character for the past 2 years.
How so?
I have emotionally invested in this character. I changed my appearance for Waseem Wallay and it eventually became a part of me.
What does GT mean to you?
You know being featured in GT was a huge deal, I remember I got featured once and I got myself into trouble (laughs) so yeah I’ve had great time with GT. I grew up with it!
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