Ho Mann Jahaan, a coming-of-age musical drama film set in Karachi, is slated for a New Year, January 1st release. the team, lead cast members: Mahira Khan, Shehryar Munawar, adeel husain and Sonya Jehan, as well triple threat, director/writer/producer Asim Raza chat with GT about what it was like working on this highly anticipated film
You are offered many roles, how do you choose which roles you want to do? What are your vetting criteria?
Mahira Khan: At the end of the day, when it comes down to picking a role/project, there are a few factors I consider — script, director, time lines, location of the project, etc. I have tried to do one project at a time, so at times that also forces me to let go of certain roles.
When reading a script, a scene could do it for me, or a quirk of a character. I also try my best not to do a similar role twice. Right after Bin Roye and even while shooting for it I was very eager to do a contemporary film. I’m glad Ho Mann Jahaan came my way.
I must ask this, what has been your experience of working with Shahrukh Khan? Any interesting stories?
MK: Lots, but I’ll save that for the time Raees is releasing. Needless to say, it was a pleasure and an amazing learning experience.
How has working in India been for you?Â
MK: It’s been good. I was nervous initially as I wasn’t in my comfort zone, but the team was great! They made me feel so comfortable that I settled in easily.
Having worked in Pakistani as well as Indian films now, what are some key differences and similarities?
MK: Well, cinema is cinema. The team is key! If your team is good the experience is good no matter where in the world you’re working. The major difference was the scale of the industry. It is a bigger industry thus has bigger teams, etc. Other than that whether it’s here or there, everyone on set is working towards one goal, which is to make a good film.
How was the Ho Mann Jahaan on-set chemistry? Share some interesting anecdotes with us.
MK: It was crazy, manic, magical to say the least. We were like a joint family living in a house. There was lots of love, minor arguments, lots of breakups followed by makeups, hugs and laughter, lots of tears. Let me tell you something about this team — we cry a lot. We saw the teaser all of us, crying and hugging each other. Someone gets upset with someone, we cry. Adeel and I did a scene/song up in Chitral and when we came back to the monitor, Asim had tears in his eyes—of happiness. Emotions ran high on this set. Also the crew was so much fun, it was the smallest most efficient crew!
You have been working on back to back projects. What’s on your 2016 agenda on the personal front?
MK: Actually, I didn’t expect Bin Roye to take so long. Otherwise the idea is to work on one project at a time. Nor did I expect to work on Raees this year. So yeah, it’s been a busy one. I’m hoping that next year is a good one inshAllah; I’m nervous for the film releases, wishing for the best. At the moment, I’m not taking up any projects. In fact, I’ve been chilling since July at home 🙂
Where do you see yourself in five years?Â
MK: Five years? Would the next five minutes do? I’ll probably be reading a story to Azlan in bed, his favourite one, The Amazing Spider-Man 🙂
How was the Ho Mann Jahaan on-set chemistry?
Sheheryar Munawar: Saying, it was amazing would be an understatement! We are all great friends and so we worked hard and partied harder.
You are offered many roles, how do you choose which roles you want to do?
SM: Frankly I don’t want to do television–it’s a personal decision that I have made. That automatically narrows down to a few film scripts that are on offer to me at this point. The idea is always to choose quality over quantity. When I look at a project holistically, the script has to be good, there has to be something for me in terms of experimenting with new characters, the overall production value should be high and of course the director is important.
You have garnered much popularity amongst young women as a sex symbol. How does that make you feel?
SM: I don’t know how should I feel, but it should make me slightly richer. Can somebody please pass on this observation to top beauty brands.
Any plans to go to Bollywood like Mahira and Fawad?
SM: My primary focus is to produce high quality work whether it’s in the front of the camera or behind, in Pakistan or internationally.
How was the Ho Mann Jahaan on-set chemistry?
Adeel Husain: We worked and lived as friends and colleagues. Our initial relationship dynamics have evolved through the process of the film and that’s a special thing. We’ve shared good experiences on this ride together and our time on set has left us with a sense of togetherness. It’s really about other actors making each others’ jobs easier.
You are offered many roles, how do you choose which roles you want to do? What are your vetting criteria?
AH: It’s instinctual. The combination of a good script in a competent director’s hand is what one has to look out for. Many other key details about a project also play at the decision of whether you can take it on or not, or should. I usually have a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ inside my head in the form of a feeling and just go with it.
This is your debut film. How has this been as opposed to acting for TV?
AH: Ho Mann Jahaan has been a unique and special experience and I definitely won’t be comparing it to anything else. The Vision Factory led by Asim is a hard working team. I’ve enjoyed the space that got created for me to do my work on a daily basis and have enjoyed the camaraderie within the cast and crew. In the end, we are pushing forward in film and should do the same in television by executing better stories.
Any plans to go to Bollywood like Mahira and Fawad?
AH: No plans. I’m very happy with the momentum here and my hands are full. I would like to continue to contribute to the development of more films, and, if lucky, one day work in Hollywood. Who knows what the future may bring?
What are your upcoming projects?
AH: For now, it’s Asim Raza’s Ho Mann Jahaan and Mehreen Jabbar’s Dobara Phir Se. This has been an exciting year for me.
How do you find living in India with your husband Vivek Narain? Was it a difficult transition?
Sonya Jehan: Moving to India permanently was not my intention. I went for a project, but then I got married to Vivek, who I had met in London, after I graduated from college. I have now been there for 13 years, and it has been easy as lots of my college friends live in Delhi. I now also have a family of my own. There is not a huge difference between our traditions, so it was easy to blend into life there.
Tell us about your life there.
SJ: I live in New Delhi and my life there is not as glamourous as people may think it to be. I have two children: Noor will be 8 and Nirvan is 4 and a half. They take up a lot of my time. I wake up early with the kids, go to the gym, work and am normally in bed by 9 p.m.with a good book or movie. Weekends are a time for me to catch up with friends and enjoy what the city has to offer.
Earlier you had some issues with getting an Indian work visa. How did you sort that out?
SJ: Getting visas nowadays for anywhere in the world is complicated, and with my work being more freelance, it was challenging. However, it has been 13 years now. I have a work permit, which was granted to me on the basis that I have family in India.
You have worked with Hollywood actors in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, as well as Bollywood and Pakistani ones. What are some differences in the work style that you have encountered?
SJ: Every time I do a project, it’s a whole new different experience. The Ho Mann Jahaan team is like a family and I have known Asim for a long time. It’s my first film in Pakistan, so I am really looking forward to it. Bollywood is a lot more commercial. They don’t waste time. It’s intense. Hollywood I cannot comment on as I’ve not really done a film as such, but I did an opening scene for the Reluctant Fundamentalist and it was an enriching experience.
Which film have you most enjoyed working in to date?
SJ: Every film has brought its fresh set of joys and challenges. Taj Mahal was my first; it was very exciting and humbling, plus I had a huge role. Khoya Khoya Chand was a small budget and everyone had to pull their weight; it was a good laugh. My Name Is Khan was very commercial, yet it was daunting to work with Karan Johar. Shahrukh Khan and Kajol are lovely people and I enjoyed working with them both. And, ofcourse, Ho Mann Jahaan holds a lot of weight and is close to my heart. It is my first Pakistani film, plus I have returned to the big screen after a hiatus of four years following the birth of my son.
How was the Ho Mann Jehan on-set chemistry?
SJ: Fun and young! It was like working with a family. After shooting this movie, I feel like I have extended my family and circle of friends.
You have been directing commercials and music videos and this is your first feature film. Describe the transition. Asim Raza: Frankly speaking, all my training and experience in ad film-making has certainly helped me alot in preparing me for a feature film, but film is a whole other ball game altogether. There are overlaps when it comes to shooting a commercial and shooting a feature, but the whole process of making a feature film was a completely new experience for me and I must confess it took me a while to get a grip on it. Having said that, I must also confess that ad films and music videos gave me the confidence in who I am as a storyteller and where I stand today.
You are the script writer, director and one of the film’s producers. You must really believe in this project. You have also said that this story has autobiographical elements to it. Share with us why you feel so strongly that this story needed to be told.
AR: When I said that this story has realities in it I did not mean that it is my own story, but I do feel that I have seen all of this happening to either me or the people around me. I have always believed in real stories, so that people can connect and associate with them easily and see their reflections in the characters. Therefore, I wrote this keeping my people, surroundings and society in mind.
What was the on-set camaraderie like between cast and crew? What kind of atmosphere do you like on your sets, i.e. ultra focused and professional, relaxed and jovial or a combination?
AR: The camaraderie was the only reason why we could actually make this film happen. As I said earlier, film is something which can become almost impossible for beginners like me if you do not get the support from a strong team, and for Ho Mann Jahaan that surely was the case. I am most thankful to my team, who stood by me through thick and thin and made this project happen.
I like a combination of both. While I want my team to give complete focus to work, I also want them to make it the most fun moments of their lives and mine too.
What are your upcoming projects?
AR: Ho Mann Jahaan. Jokes aside I have not worked on anything else, neither commercials, nor music videos for the last 18 months. I wanted my complete focus on my film. INSHALLAH once it is out, then I will start to think what to do next.
One of Pakistan’s top models, Omer Shahzad made a thunderous entry in the world of television with a powerful performance in Adhoori Aurat. In a little over two years, he has turned in solid performances in a number of serials: Anaya Tumhari Hui, Bahu Begum, Choti Choti Khushiyan, Main Baraye Farokht, Mere Apne, and Mere Humraahi and is one of the country’s busiest actors today. A thorough gentleman, Omer is known in the industry not just for his acting talent and good looks, but also for his professionalism, kind-heartedness and discipline. Currently working in several television serials, he also recently started shooting for his first feature film. In an exclusive interview for GT, Omer talks to Ally Adnan about modeling, acting, friendship, the glamour of show business, and a lot else
You are one of Pakistan’s top models and a very successful actor today. That must make it very easy to pick up girls.
That, actually, was never a problem, to begin with.
So, what have you gained from being a celebrity?
A lot. I have gained recognition, respect and admiration; I make a good living; I am treated very well in hotels, at airports, in restaurants and a lot of other places, I get to dress up well. Moreover, I have the love, blessings and prayers of my fans, which is invaluable.
Has fame and fortune come with a loss of privacy?
No, not really. I know that a lot of celebrities complain about the loss of privacy but I actually enjoy being in the public eye. I thrive on love, recognition and appreciation. I do not mind when someone approaches me to have a selfie taken with me; in fact, I like it. I am happy when someone asks for an autograph. I respond to fan mail diligently. These are little things that I am happy to do to make my fans happy. These people are responsible for my fame, success and stardom. I owe it to them.
How have you managed to always steer clear of gossip and rumor?
There are two reasons. One, I am in the public eye and, consequently, very careful of my conduct and behavior. I make sure that I behave well and try not to do things that would feed the rumor mill. Two, I value privacy. I am very friendly with the press and with my fans and enjoy spending time with them. However, I never talk about my private life because that opens the door for the invasion of my privacy. I think that limits the potential for gossip.
Why do you think people gossip about celebrities?
I think the main reason is human nature. A lot of people envy celebrities and just want to bring down whoever they feel is riding high. Plain and simple schadenfreude. The rumor mill starts churning as soon as a star hits a high level of fame and adulation. Envy, jealousy, failure and resentment seem to encourage people to gossip about successful people.
A lot of people envy celebrities and just want to bring down whoever they feel is riding high. Plain and simple schadenfreude. The rumor mill starts churning as soon as a star hits a high level of fame and adulation. Envy, jealousy, failure and resentment seem to encourage people to gossip about successful people
A lot of models move to acting after a few years of modeling. You seem to be have done the same. Why?
A career in modelling is typically short-lived. Moving on to acting allows models a chance to continue being in the public eye and enjoy the benefits of a career that has longvity. Furthermore, it gives them an opportunity to prove that there is more to them than just good looks. Acting skills, at least in Pakistan, are valued above modeling ability.
Is that why you started to acting?
My case is different. I had always wanted to be an actor but the only opportunities that I got in the beginning were for modelling. As a result, I started modelling but I always had my eye on acting. Once I became a well-known model, and was recognized all over the country, I was inundated with offers to act.
Do you enjoy modeling?
Yes, I do. I love the energy, excitement and exhilaration of walking the ramp. I like wearing good, fashionable clothes. I enjoy the attention and the instantaneous feedback. Modelling is a lot of fun.
What qualities and attributes do you think are needed to become a good model?
In order to be a good model, one needs to have good looks, sharp features, a fit physique and some ability to act. You also have to look unique and distinctive. Height is important, especially for ramp work. Having a stage presence and being photogenic is vital. One also needs to know how to pose, walk and hold himself. He must be able to convey emotion. Modelling is a tedious job and requires a lot of hard work. It is, therefore, necessary to be committed and have a lot of patience and the right attitude.
How Do modelling and acting differ?
Modelling and acting are totally different.
Models think outwards and work to seduce the camera. Actors, on the other hand, think inwards and try to create a moment. Good looks are essential for modelling, whereas histrionic abilities are necessary for acting. Models need to be self-assured, confident and perfectly poised. Actors must be willing to give their own self up to become the character they are playing. A lack of ego, a bit of humility and a little vulnerability is required for acting. Actors also have to learn lines. They need to have an understanding of the big picture, the whole story. It is a totally different ball game.
I have to admit that I have never had close friends in my life. I have yet to experience a close friendship. It has always been elusive to me. I would like to experience a true friendship, at least once
Does it help to be both an actor and a model?
Models certainly benefit from having acting skills, but being a competent model does not help much in acting.
How did you learn to act?
I had been interested in acting long before I became a professional actor. I used to watch a lot of films and studied the performances of many great actors very carefully. I also took a few classes and attended a couple of acting workshops.
Is the world of television very different from that of modelling?
The world of fashion modelling is very competitive and, for the lack of a better word, cold. Assignments tend to be short and fragmented. This makes it difficult to forge good professional relationships. A fierce competition exists between top models. Television is warm, accommodating and friendly. The whole production team works together as a family – usually a happy one – and members tend to help each other. Senior actors are kind and warm. They are a veritable source of instruction, education and learning, not to mention inspiration. Senior models, on the other hand loathe teaching the tricks of the trade to newcomers.
Did you plan to work in cinema?
Yes, working in feature films has long been a dream for me. I have just signed up to play the male lead in director Iqbal Kashmiri’s next film. I play the role of a bank robber who, after a successful robbery, runs off to Thailand with the loot and with the girl he loves, leaving his partner alone to face the music. It is a fast-paced action thriller, different from earlier Pakistani films.
A lot of Pakistani actors regard working in Bollywood as a big achievement. Do you have a burning desire to work in Indian films?
I have a burning desire to work in good films in which I have meaty roles. These can be Pakistani, Indian, American, etc.
Unlike a lot of young actors, you are known for being punctual, polite, disciplined and respectful. Do you not want to be treated like a big star?
I never want to be arrogant, haughty and conceited. I want respect instead of super-star treatment. The easiest way to get respect is to give it in equal measure. I dislike people who misbehave, are tardy, throw tantrums and make life difficult for others. I never want to be one of them.
What exercise regimen do you follow to stay fit?
Physical fitness is very important to me. I have a well-prepared diet plan that I follow religiously. I almost never overeat and stay away from unhealthy foods. I am committed to a one hour daily rigorous workout.
What do you do to maintain your looks?
I drink lots of water. I do not drink alcohol and stay away from greasy foods. I always wear sunblock, when out in the sun, and I get plenty of sleep. That’s about it.
The world of show business is known for the emotional, financial and sexual abuse of newcomers. What do you think of this dark side of show business?
The dark side that you mention certainly exists. I also agree that we have a lot of abuse of newcomers in the world of show business. I disagree with people who say that one must succumb to abuse to succeed in show business. Newcomers, who are confident of their abilities and not in a rush to become stars, do not have to submit to exploitation and abuse. They succeed on the basis of talent, attitude and hard work.
Is the world of show business as glamorous as it appears to be?
It is certainly glamorous, but is not very genuine, in my opinion. A lot that is glamorous, glitzy and dazzling is also illusory and fake.
Are friendships important to you?
I have to admit that I have never had close friends in my life. I have yet to experience a close friendship. It has always been elusive to me. I would like to experience a true friendship, at least once.
What projects are you working on currently?
I have just started shooting for my first feature film, which is being directed by Iqbal Kashmiri. Three of my serials: Begunaah, Saas Bahu, Kaanch Ke Rishtay, are airing currently. I just wrapped up work in the serial Noor Jehan, airing December. I play the role of an inflexible, principled and uncompromising young man, Zaheer, in Noor Jehan. Having lost his parents in his childhood, he feels responsible for the lives and welfare of his two elder sisters and is determined to never to fall in love. His orderly life is turned upside down when he meets and falls in love with a young girl named Noor Jehan. It is an interesting role. I am also working in Khawab Sab Dhool Huay and Kyun Mili Saza, currently under production.
Photographs | Ammar Sharif
Ally Adnan lives in Dallas and writes about culture, history and the arts. He tweets @allyadnan and can be reached atallyadnan@outlook.com.
