He may not be a new kid on the block but Shaz Khan’s professionalism makes him one of the most exciting actors to work with, be it films, TV or theatre.
The Parwaaz Hai Junoon actor wants to do meaningful roles on screen even if it means going the extra mile. At the moment he is basking in the success of Parwaaz Hai Junoon while the first episode of his new TV serial Lamhe was also screened to high ratings last week.
Spotlight got hold of Shaz Khan and spoke to him about his past, present and future projects, and why a New Yorker doesn’t find himself a fish out of water in the showbiz ocean of Pakistan.
How was the experience of working in Parwaaz Hai Junoon?
It might not be the right analogy but for me, the big-budget Parwaaz Hai Junoon was like the ‘Avengers of Pakistan’. Not many people know but my mamoon and nana (uncle and grandfather) were in the Air Force and I grew up around an Air Force family so I was naturally interested in the role of Nadir Kirmani, which I accepted as soon as it was offered to me. It was an irreplaceable experience because I was always interested in planes and attached to the Air Force.
How did Moor and Dobara Phir Se help you in establishing your identity in the film industry?
Moor will always be a special film for me because a) it introduced me to Pakistani cinema and b) because it provided me a chance to work with a director who didn’t care about box office success. Jami (the director) was creating something he wanted to from his own imagination and reminded me of the people I worked with in indie dramas and independent feature films in New York City. I will always be proud of that film as it gave me an insight into how things work in Pakistan. Dobara Phir Se had Mehreen (Jabbar) at the helm and had an ensemble cast for a story that she wanted to tell. I enjoyed being a small part of the film as it got me to work with the finest actors in Pakistan.
Tell us something about your role in Lamhay and what makes it different from your other work?
In Lamhay, my character is quite volatile and unpredictable which is what makes it all the more interesting. The play has Saba Faisal and Zara Noor Abbas while I play Hashir an expatriate Pakistani who returns to Pakistan because his grandmother is sick.
The story revolves around him just finding his own roots and why he has to seek the help of his caretaker (Zara Noor Abbas) to fake a marriage to avoid a marriage. It was also a character that my mother – my biggest fan and critic – asked me to do as she found the character to be something right up my alley. It was more like the character of Ehsan in Moor but a lot different than Barrister Daniyal that was close to the perfect character that I will ever play in my career.
What made you come back to TV after starring in some of the better films made in Pakistan?
I had a very different idea of the Pakistani Television in the beginning, but at the end of Yakeen Ka Safar I realized that I am a storyteller and story matters to me the most. Pakistani stories are told in the best manner on TV and there was no reason for me to deny myself that opportunity.
Yes, some of the dramas do have crappy plots but that doesn’t mean that one should restrict himself to just films. We might actually be able to learn a thing or two from films because that’s exactly what people in the West do. In fact, India is doing the same these days with productions like Sacred Games and others and if they can do it, why can’t we?
We have heard a lot about Shaz Khan’s method acting; what makes you go the extra mile?
Some people call it unnecessary and some call me crazy but I try to do that with every role. The work you do beforehand always shows up on the screen be it in Moor or Parwaaz Hai Junoon. Flying in an Air Force jet gave me the chance to know how it felt in reality although my experience was nothing compared to the GD Pilots’ in real-life. It just helps me in understanding my character better when I am playing it.
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/2Co5jWH
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