Showing posts with label Imran Abbas interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Imran Abbas interview. Show all posts
Imran Abbas, the other Pakistani actor from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, whom MNS forgot, speaks up
8:06 AM
Banished from Bollywood like the rest of his colleagues, actor Imran Abbas, who missed hate bullets targeted at Fawad Khan, 'understands' why Karan Johar made a promise that got him only flak. The popular and hopeful actor says he's only received love from India
Usman Ghafoor (MID-DAY; November 9, 2016)
Amidst all the hoopla that surrounded Fawad Khan’s special appearance in Karan Johar’s Diwali blockbuster, 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil', there is one Pakistani actor who escaped mention in the media despite playing an interesting character in the film. Imran Abbas, who is a popular face across the border and played Anushka Sharma’s boyfriend in the film, admits that he is disappointed that Hindi films are no longer screened in his country, but wonders how effective bans are when Pakistanis watched pirated copies of Ae Dil and travelled to Dubai to catch a show.
Abbas is better known for his hit television shows, 'Mera Naseeb' and 'Noor Bano', that ran famously on Zee TV’s Zindagi before the channel self-imposed a ban on Pak content in the wake of the Uri terrorist attacks. Abbas was the original face of Zindagi when it launched in June 2014. The same year, he debuted in Bollywood with Vikram Bhatt’s fantasy horror film 'Creature 3D', opposite Bipasha Basu. He followed it up with a period film, 'Jaanisar', which was directed by Muzaffar Ali, whose 1981 classic 'Umrao Jaan' remains Abbas’s all-time favourite. Later, his TV play 'Mera Naam Yousaf Hai' also premiered on Star Plus, UK. It was Star’s first syndicated Pakistani drama serial.
'Ae Dil'… was to be Abbas’s most prominent project in Bollywood, even though it had him in a guest appearance. To be fair, even Fawad Khan’s character turned out to be no more than an extended cameo. “I was so looking forward to the release of Ae Dil…,” Abbas admits, talking exclusively to mid-day from Islamabad, his hometown.
After the release of 'Ae Dil'… though, Abbas was quoted as saying that his role had been chopped rather unkindly, a statement that viral on the Internet. He puts it on record that the comments were wrongly attributed to him, “I have yet to watch the film!”
Speaking about his role in the movie, he says, “It was a fun part. Faisal propels the characters played by Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor to double-date.” He also gets more screen time than Alia Bhatt and Shah Rukh Khan, the other guest stars in the film.
Back home, Abbas has just had the second season of his hugely successful drama, Khuda Aur Mohabbat (2011) out. In the pipeline are a couple of other TV shows.
He says he hasn’t had the time to mull over the ban on Pak artistes imposed by Mumbai’s producers’ associations, or the reasons that led to it. Bait him, and he only wishes things would take a turn for the better.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil happens to be your most prominent Bollywood film, even though you feature in a guest role. Was it disappomting that it didn’t release in your home country?
It felt bad, more so because of the tense relationship between India and Pakistan. But it’s a very sensitive subject and I wouldn’t want to get into it. Having said that, I’m sad that Bollywood movies aren’t showing in (Pakistani) cinemas. I know though that fans of Karan [Johar], Ranbir [Kapoor] and Anushka [Sharma] here would watch ADHM anyway, on pirated DVDs, or via torrent downloads. I even know of people who went to Dubai to watch the movie in theatres.
Incidentally, your earlier film, Jaanisar also didn’t release in Pakistan.
Yes, Jaanisar didn’t make it past the censor board in Pakistan, which kind of shocked me because it’s such a beautiful film and it only shows Hindus and Muslims living peacefully together in the ‘pre-War of Independence’ times. It wasn’t anti-Pakistan or anti-Muslim in any way.
It was quite a surprise for your Pakistani fans, when you landed a part in Ae Dil…, and you didn’t even hint at it until September last year when you tweeted, “Having wonderful time in London with the team of my new movie.”
It’s a guest appearance, so I didn’t make any noise about it. I signed on [the film] on the suggestion of my friend Manish Malhotra. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I should but because it was a Dharma Productions’ film and especially when I came to know that Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt also had guest roles in it, I couldn’t say no.
Are you in touch with your friends in Mumbai?
Of course. And, most of my friends are from outside the film industry.
What was your first reaction to Karan Johar’s video post where he expressed the resolve not to engage with any Pak artistes in the future?
I could understand how much pressure he must have felt to come to this point [of making the statement].
Did you speak to Karan after?
No, I got busy, and I’m sure he is busy with his stuff.
Have you received hate mail from Indians on social media?
See, we are a very jazbaati qaum (sentimental people). I’ll give you the example of an India-Pakistan cricket match. Every time it is played, we hear a lot of hate comments from both parties. It’s our natural response to such a situation. But in normal circumstances, it would be very different. I can vouch for that because I have got great love from the Indian public. I never faced any negativity.
If things go back to the way they were, would you return to Bollywood?
I had a great time working in the Hindi film industry, and any actor would only be happy to get the chance to be part of Bollywood. But I am not obsessed about any particular workplace. I am open to good offers from literally anywhere in the world.
Not being able to do Aashiqui 2 put me into a depression phase-Imran Abbas
8:52 AM
Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; July 27, 2015)
Imran Abbas, 32, is not just
one of the highest paid actors in Pakistan, but is also very sought
after by all the women there. He is simple, emotional and spiritual and
proud of himself being rooted. He hardly has any friends and is a very
private person who remains most happy in his own company and the
environment of his home. He takes people at face value and loves his
mother the most in the world. He doesn't mind people being stupid, but
cannot deal with lies. Over an hour-long conversation, ahead of his
upcoming romantic film Jaanisaar, directed by the extremely artistic
Muzaffar Ali, he talks to Bombay Times about his love for his mother,
what he does with the money he makes and how becoming spiritual has
changed his outlook to life. Excerpts:
You are one of the most sought-after men in Pakistan. Tell us about your background?
I was born and brought up in Islamabad. Right from the age of four, I started painting. I also sing, write and like poetry. My father was a civil engineer in a government job and my mother a housewife. I am the youngest amongst our six siblings. Being the youngest, I was always given a free hand by my parents to do whatever I wanted to. My mother supported me for my painting and allowed me to learn music. I studied architecture from National College of Arts, Lahore as I felt architecture was a good blend of art and engineering. A famous Pakistani photographer Khawar Riaz saw me in my final year and offered me to do modelling for a magazine. The money was really good as I earned Rs 35,000 for just one hour. People started noticing me and I did Pakistani television and since have been doing it past ten years and became the highest paid actor in Pakistan. My last television serial Alvida broke all the records. I was offered Aashiqui 2, but could not take it for another film that I was to do that too did not happen. I then did Vikram Bhatt's Creature and now Muzaffar Ali's Jaanisaar.
Who do you love the most in the world?
My mother as no one has loved me as selflessly as her. I am a reflection of my mother. She has given me everything and I am very connected with her. She has made me very strong spiritually. She never taught me to do anything for money. I am very proud of the values she has given me, of how to always be rooted and level headed, how to respect relationships and elders, how to connect with people and how to disconnect with wrong people. What she likes the most about me is that I don't lie to her. So, if I am answerable in front of my mom, I don't do anything wrong. I am her only child who lives with her now as all my siblings are married and settled. And I consider myself so fortunate that I can look after her. A year back she went through a paralytic attack and was disabled for a few days and I feel so privileged that I got to take care of her.
You are an extremely private person. Have you been in a serious relationship?
My first serious relationship was in college where we were together for four years. My first break-up was the turning point in my life and I was badly affected, but I learnt to become strong after that. After college, I was again in a four-year relationship with a person, who is not a celebrity, but we broke up just six months back. I think that's the way my destiny is written as my relationships last for four years.
Any plans for getting married?
I want to and Inshallah I will in a year's time. We should not switch relationships so fast in life, but in a relationship your thinking has to match. Right now I am in the process of making up my mind about a person who is not known in Pakistan.
Are you religious?
Over the last few years I have changed as I have started reading a lot of spiritual books. I am not a practising Muslim. Spirituality has no connection to your religion. Jealousies and insecurities don't affect me now. I understand that life is too short and unpredictable. My only ambition is to have a mentally peaceful and happy life. I feel like I am God's child and so he is always watching me. I often talk to him and ask him that you are looking at me no. I feel rona bahut himmatwalon ka kaam hota hai. I don't ever cry in front of people as you cannot gain by exposing your weaknesses to others. I can either cry in front of my mother or God as they only can understand your sorrow.
You are not materialistic and yet you insist on charging what you do in Pakistan. What drives you to do that?
Because I know I have to maintain a certain lifestyle. Also, that money is not just for me, but I know where all I use that money to run so many houses. I can stay happy even in a small two-room house, but I know what I do and want to do with that money. Also, I know that earning money has nothing to do with personal happiness.
Which Bollywood actress do you aspire to work with?
I saw Queen and want to work with Kangana Ranaut as she is a very natural actress. I can relate to Kangana as she too belongs to the same school of acting as me.
Any Bollywood directors you want to work with?
Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Rajkumar Hirani as he is a very intelligent director who can make you cry and laugh at the same time. And Sanjay Leela Bhansali as he is larger than life and will present you like that.
What was the lowest period in your life?
Not being able to do Aashiqui 2 put me into a depression phase. I kept feeling depressed till people kept singing Tum Hi Ho. I then waited for Creature to do well, which didn't.
Talk about Jaanisaar?
Jaanisaar is very close to my heart as it has a combination of literature, art and music that I love. Everyone says that I have a buddi soul (an old man's soul) as right from my childhood, I always look out for people who are into sher-shairi. Through Jaanisaar, I got to spend time with Muzaffar Ali sahab who would talk to me about sher-shairi and so I would really enjoy talking to him. Even if you become the No. 1 actor in the world, how long can that last? I am always trying to seek inner happiness in everything I do.
You are one of the most sought-after men in Pakistan. Tell us about your background?
I was born and brought up in Islamabad. Right from the age of four, I started painting. I also sing, write and like poetry. My father was a civil engineer in a government job and my mother a housewife. I am the youngest amongst our six siblings. Being the youngest, I was always given a free hand by my parents to do whatever I wanted to. My mother supported me for my painting and allowed me to learn music. I studied architecture from National College of Arts, Lahore as I felt architecture was a good blend of art and engineering. A famous Pakistani photographer Khawar Riaz saw me in my final year and offered me to do modelling for a magazine. The money was really good as I earned Rs 35,000 for just one hour. People started noticing me and I did Pakistani television and since have been doing it past ten years and became the highest paid actor in Pakistan. My last television serial Alvida broke all the records. I was offered Aashiqui 2, but could not take it for another film that I was to do that too did not happen. I then did Vikram Bhatt's Creature and now Muzaffar Ali's Jaanisaar.
Who do you love the most in the world?
My mother as no one has loved me as selflessly as her. I am a reflection of my mother. She has given me everything and I am very connected with her. She has made me very strong spiritually. She never taught me to do anything for money. I am very proud of the values she has given me, of how to always be rooted and level headed, how to respect relationships and elders, how to connect with people and how to disconnect with wrong people. What she likes the most about me is that I don't lie to her. So, if I am answerable in front of my mom, I don't do anything wrong. I am her only child who lives with her now as all my siblings are married and settled. And I consider myself so fortunate that I can look after her. A year back she went through a paralytic attack and was disabled for a few days and I feel so privileged that I got to take care of her.
You are an extremely private person. Have you been in a serious relationship?
My first serious relationship was in college where we were together for four years. My first break-up was the turning point in my life and I was badly affected, but I learnt to become strong after that. After college, I was again in a four-year relationship with a person, who is not a celebrity, but we broke up just six months back. I think that's the way my destiny is written as my relationships last for four years.
Any plans for getting married?
I want to and Inshallah I will in a year's time. We should not switch relationships so fast in life, but in a relationship your thinking has to match. Right now I am in the process of making up my mind about a person who is not known in Pakistan.
Are you religious?
Over the last few years I have changed as I have started reading a lot of spiritual books. I am not a practising Muslim. Spirituality has no connection to your religion. Jealousies and insecurities don't affect me now. I understand that life is too short and unpredictable. My only ambition is to have a mentally peaceful and happy life. I feel like I am God's child and so he is always watching me. I often talk to him and ask him that you are looking at me no. I feel rona bahut himmatwalon ka kaam hota hai. I don't ever cry in front of people as you cannot gain by exposing your weaknesses to others. I can either cry in front of my mother or God as they only can understand your sorrow.
You are not materialistic and yet you insist on charging what you do in Pakistan. What drives you to do that?
Because I know I have to maintain a certain lifestyle. Also, that money is not just for me, but I know where all I use that money to run so many houses. I can stay happy even in a small two-room house, but I know what I do and want to do with that money. Also, I know that earning money has nothing to do with personal happiness.
Which Bollywood actress do you aspire to work with?
I saw Queen and want to work with Kangana Ranaut as she is a very natural actress. I can relate to Kangana as she too belongs to the same school of acting as me.
Any Bollywood directors you want to work with?
Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Rajkumar Hirani as he is a very intelligent director who can make you cry and laugh at the same time. And Sanjay Leela Bhansali as he is larger than life and will present you like that.
What was the lowest period in your life?
Not being able to do Aashiqui 2 put me into a depression phase. I kept feeling depressed till people kept singing Tum Hi Ho. I then waited for Creature to do well, which didn't.
Talk about Jaanisaar?
Jaanisaar is very close to my heart as it has a combination of literature, art and music that I love. Everyone says that I have a buddi soul (an old man's soul) as right from my childhood, I always look out for people who are into sher-shairi. Through Jaanisaar, I got to spend time with Muzaffar Ali sahab who would talk to me about sher-shairi and so I would really enjoy talking to him. Even if you become the No. 1 actor in the world, how long can that last? I am always trying to seek inner happiness in everything I do.
I am not engaged or married-Imran Abbas
7:45 AM
Pakistani hearthrob Imran Abbas Khan, who will be seen in Muzaffar Ali’s Jaanissar, talks about his relationship status, upcoming film and more
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; March 30, 2015)
His debut film Creature went down with a whimper, but
Pakistani TV actor Imran Abbas Khan chalks it up to being an
experimental flick and looks ahead. While the social media is abuzz with
reports that he is married, the actor says it is completely false.
Imran, who is currently in Pakistan shooting for his TV shows, clears
the air on his personal status, the failure of Creature, upcoming film
Jaanisaar and more...
How difficult or easy was it to shoot for the period film Jaanisaar?
It was very difficult as the character was different from whatever I have done so far. We were going back in history — the film is set in 1877 Lucknow — and I had to transform myself completely. I had to get the dialect, the body language and the psyche of the character right. I had to play the perfect English gentleman from a royal family for which my gait had to be like that of a prince. At the same time, my Urdu had to be extremely good as I had to recite important lines in poetry. I am a poet myself so that helped. Also, Muzaffar saab who is an artiste, poet, musician and a director helped me in every single way.
How did the film come to you?
I had just started shooting for Creature and somebody told me that Muzaffar saab wanted to meet me. When I met him in Delhi, he told me the film had been in his mind for 20 years. I was already a big fan of Muzaffar saab. When he told me he wanted to do the film with me, I had no second thoughts. In fact, irrespective of whether I would be in the film or not, I was just happy to meet him. The film, however, got delayed. Fortunately for me, by the time we started Jaanissar, there were no date clashes as Creature was complete.
The film is set 20 years after Umrao Jaan. Have you seen the film?
I have seen the film several times, not recently though. However, I keep watching the songs. In fact, we shot one song Humein Bhi Pyaar Kar Le sung by Shreya Ghoshal in the same place where Inn Aankhon Ki Masti Mein was shot. The same choreographer Kumudini Lakhia directed it too! It was amazing to shoot in the same location and ambience.
Do you feel this should have been your debut film instead of Creature?
I know Creature did not do well, but I liked it. All of us involved in the film from the director (Vikram Bhatt) to the artistes knew we were taking a huge risk. It was an experimental film and not all experiments are successful. It was a new thought, but I guess Indian and Pakistani viewers are used to Bollywood masala. If the same idea had come from Hollywood they would have liked it. Nobody can predict the outcome of a film. It was my destiny. There are so many actors whose first films have been superhits, but they are nowhere now and at the same time, actors whose debut films flopped are doing well.
You must be banking on Jaanisaar now?
I am keeping my fingers crossed. But I can tell you that it’s a film you’ll see again and again. Every element has been set like a jewel — characters, poetry, music, lighting, everything is perfect. It’s a film that will be stored in libraries. Also, not all films are made with the intention of creating hits. It’s a big responsibilty making this kind of a film. Many people want certain historical aspects to be hidden because they are not comfortable. Usually, Hollywood filmmakers show it in a subtle manner. You’ll find that in this film.
There is an influx of Pakistani actors in India...
I am happy that Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have made inroads in Bollywood. It’s a positive sign. Earlier several Indian actors like Nandita Das, Kirron Kher and Naseeruddin Shah came to Pakistan and were appreciated. It’s about time we stopped talking about borders and hatred. We will discourage it through our art.
There has been talk about you being engaged and married? Is it true?
No, not at all. I am not even committed to anyone! I don’t know from where this news has spread. They have even posted a picture of my so-called wife, but it’s of an actress! I don’t know how to erase that.
When did you start getting Bollywood offers?
Since the last six-seven years. But nothing materialised either because of political strain between the two countries or something else. Rajkumar Santoshi signed me for three films but those didn’t happen. I also couldn’t be a part of Goliyon Ki Raas Leela — Ram Leela and Boss, but the one I regret the most is not doing Aashiqui 2.
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