Ahsan Khan, the star of Mere Qatil, Mere Dildar, is now playing Sultan in Bilquees Kaur. He speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about his role and desire to do drama that is close to reality
You play Sultan in Bilquees Kaur. Tell us about your character.
Sultan is a person who is very vocal about things he doesn’t like. It is not as if I play a negative role, but Sultan has had a good education. He is the only one who is educated in his family. He has lived abroad. His vision is bigger; he has seen how it is not possible to continue to live with archaic viewpoints. Usually, this kind of thinking comes from people who have lived in villages or small towns and never seen the world. They don’t want to give up their outdated views and instead force them on their children. So my character is in constant conflict with his mother who has not moved beyond her narrow vision and the other family members pander to her wishes; Sultan doesn’t.
What are the criteria you keep in mind while choosing a projectIJ
It is not as if I have a checklist. I am one of the most popular actors in Pakistan today. So I keep getting scripts all the time. I read all of them and try and work with directors who want to keep the story as close to reality as possible. I don’t like to work in projects that are over the top. This doesn’t mean that I only want to work with people with whom I have worked with. But I see who are the people involved. Who is the directorIJ Not that I don’t work with new people; since there are some very good young directors on the scene. I also like to know who are my co-stars since a good co-star can help you enhance your own performance.
nMost Pakistani TV actors prefer drama. WhyIJ
One has to understand that the Pakistani film industry was at one time almost non-existent. It has just started to make a few films. Also, we get to watch Hollywood, Iranian and Bollywood movies. So unless our industry is able to make films of that level, actors prefer to work with a medium which has a much wider reach and where good work is being done. Then there are theatre actors whose work in dramas is being appreciated. Until, films offer a project that is really good, it is TV which is the mainstay.
nYou said you would prefer to do Indian TV shows rather than a movie. Any particular reason for thisIJ
Actually I was misquoted. What I said was that if I was offered a good TV show and a movie I would go for TV. But to be honest, I would love to do both in India. Of course, doing a Bollywood is big, so why would I not want to do a filmIJ
nAny special role you would like to playIJ
I don’t have a set character in mind. But yes, I would love to play a role that I have not done before. I would not want to do a movie just because it is a Bollywood film. I want to be given a role that is challenging so that I can show what I am capable of doing.
nWhy is it that almost all Pakistan serials come with a social messageIJ
It is good to have a show that has some kind of a message. Even if you see films, they, besides having fun element, come with its own kind of message — that good prevails over evil. Our serials are no different. The fact that it is the women who watch them, it is important to educate them and what better medium than a serial.
nYou have been working since 1998. How has the journey been so farIJ
It has been absolutely great. I have worked with some very good actors and directors. There was a time when I didn’t get roles since I could no longer play a child artist nor be given a role of a man. So, I was advised to take a break. Though I was heart-broken because I always wanted to act, I went back home, to England and completely my studies. I came back in 2006, after a gap of three years and so far, it has been good.
nYou have a twin. How come he is not into actingIJ
He is a few minutes elder to me. My family is settled in the UK and I am the only one interested in acting. We still have a home there. My work keeps me in Pakistan.
nYour favourite Bollywood movie, an actor and a director you would love to work with.
A few favourite movies on my list are Rockstar, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rowdy Rathore and the latest Manjhi — they are all great films. My favourite actors are Kangana Ranaut and Hrithik Roshan. The one director that I would love to work with is Vishal Bhardwaj. His Haider was awesome.