Whenever the history of Pakistani TV would be written, it would feature a list of most-loved characters, and on top of that list would most definitely be Faraz Inam’s name.
We loved him as cadet Faraz in Sunehray Din, as Captain Faraz in Alpha Bravo Charlie and now he has charmed his way back into our hearts as Brigadier Faraz in Ehd-e-Wafa. Not many people know but Faraz Inam the actor is a man with many talents, besides acting.
Spotlight had a chat with the man who plays father to Ahad Raza Mir’s character, husband to the beautiful Vaneeza Ahmad and Faraz to all of his fans in Ehd-e-Wafa. It was during the discussion that he disclosed many details, regarding being stuck with one character, working on TV after 2 decades and becoming a published author.
The character of Faraz has been popular since 1991 when Sunehray Din was first aired. You reprised it in 1998 and now after 21 years, it is still as popular. How do you manage to make a character so interesting that it makes people of different generations fall in love with it?
Faraz Inam: Thanks for acknowledging this; means a lot to me. The credit for making the character ‘Faraz’ so interesting goes to its original creator who then picked up an unknown guy like me with the military background but no prior experience on screen, to play this role. Feedback was that I embodied this character’s persona.
Perhaps the fact that I did not continue in showbiz to play other roles, made the character of Gentleman Cadet Faraz, then Captain Faraz and now Brig. Faraz has stuck to me for life. This character was conceived in such a way that the viewers connected with him, thinking it is for real.
They never got enough of him, always wanting to know more about him and I guess that’s what kept him alive all these years through different generations.
What was the reaction of your co-stars in Ehd-e-Wafa when you visited the set for the first time?
Faraz Inam: They were all very welcoming and caring. The kind of warmth I felt meeting Saifee Bhai (director Saife Hasan), the four lead boys and the rest of the support crew was indeed very humbling and yet encouraging. They are all wonderful people and I have tremendous respect for them. I shared with Saifee Bhai my concerns on facing the camera after 21 years and reviving the character of Captain Faraz.
I was afraid I may not be able to do justice to this character who had remained so popular with fellow Pakistanis all these years. But he eased me off and encouraged me to remain calm and natural; and the character of Captain Faraz, now Brig. Faraz will automatically possess me. What you see on the screen now is a result of the beautiful advice that the director gave me.
Vaneeza Ahmed plays the role of your character’s wife, Ahad Raza Mir your son…. care to say something about your onscreen perfect family?
Faraz Inam: Both Vaneeza and Ahad are Masha Allah very decent individuals and thorough professionals who have done full justice to their roles. I have my prayers and best wishes for them.
Moreover, Ahad is also a very respectful boy who has his head securely on his shoulders despite being such a successful and famous celebrity. His humble nature and down to earth personality really eased me off too and in him I saw my real son, Faaris who is of similar age as Ahad is shown in the initial episodes of Ehd-e-Wafa. This helped me play my part better in front of the camera too.
What was the most moving scene featuring you during Ehd-e-Wafa?
Faraz Inam: To me, the most moving scene so far has been where Brig. Faraz sees his son off at the Academy. My character is shown as a father who while immensely loves his son also does not want to show it. He is concerned that any laxity on his part would spoil his son, who has earlier shown a tendency to go astray.
Hence he maintains a strict aura in front of his son for his own benefit. It is now at this moment that Faraz’s emotions get the better of him forcing him to look back at his son, only to see his wanting eyes seeking a warm assuring hug from his ideal Dad.
That moment when my character and his son ignore all the protocol and just embrace as a father does to his child, I felt to me was the most moving scene so far in Ehd-e-Wafa.
Many directors must have approached you for acting since Sunehray Din and later Alpha Bravo Charlie, why did you choose Ehd-e-Wafa?
Faraz Inam: I never considered myself to be worthy of taking on such a demanding, tough and powerful profession that could have a direct impact on the lives of people. In other words, I did not consider myself to be a good actor who could enact different kind of roles with ease.
Hence I avoided putting myself in such situations in which I may not be able to do justice to those characters. But when Momina (Duraid) approached me to revive the role of Captain Faraz for Ehd-e-Wafa and that also on the insistence of ISPR, I just could not say no to this wonderful opportunity.
I felt that Captain Faraz lived somewhere inside me and that with some soul searching and introspection, I will be able to find him.
You are not a professional actor; in fact, you are a published author. In the era of professional actors, how do you stay relevant?
Faraz Inam: (Laughs) Good question! How do I stay relevant? Hmmm. I guess it’s the interest of my well-wishers in me which somehow keeps me relevant. They usually find me on Facebook where I have a personal account. I actually don’t have an active social media account on Twitter, Instagram or anything; which otherwise is a norm in today’s world.
I had created my FB account to stay connected with family and friends with whom I often shared my life moments, the progress of my book, ‘The Misunderstood Ally’ and other meaningful quotes and videos. However, over the years I started having a lot of nice people following my posts as well. Allah Bless them all. My work on TV has given me the recognition which I never dreamed of and I try my best to stay connected with my fans. I always tell them that you are all special in your own ways and it is their love for me that refuses to let me fade away in oblivion.
In the end, I guess it’s the greatness of the people who look up to me. Nothing special in me. I’m just a regular guy living an ordinary life.
from HUM TV – Watch Dramas Online https://ift.tt/33Ht7wO
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