Ali Zafar has turned producer with Teefa in Trouble. He speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about his new role, among other things
How did the idea of Teefa in Trouble come to youIJ
The idea came when the director (Ahsan Rahim) and I were sitting in lahore. It is a very cultural place on a roof-top restaurant and eating brain curry and a very chatpatta lahori tikka when an idea struck me. I told Rahim why not make a movie of a guy who is sent to slap a goon who was slapped by another goon’s son. To begin with, the story was simple. There was no girl. But then the story developed and the girl came into the picture and with it the romance.
Tell us about the role.
Teefa is a nickname for lateef. In lahore, if your name is lateef or Ateef, your name will be shortened to Teefa and people will call you ‘Teefey’. So Teefa works for a goon — Butt Sahab (Mehmood Aslam) — in the inner city, who also wants to run for elections. Teefa does odd-jobs for Butt like slap somebody and extorts money on the goon’s behalf. In a way, he is a badmash. He is sent on a mission abroad; it is his first international travel and this is where he meets his love interest.
You have done well in Bollywood. Why choose Pakistani cinema nowIJ
I am a Pakistani and given the love and adulation that I have got from them, I feel it is my responsibility to impart, utilise and use all my experience into rebuilding our own cinema. To make a film that not only truly showcases our culture but also take cinema to the next level here. I am an artist, the connection that I have with all my fans internationally, this is me, putting in my best to give my fans the best of me.
Where does the Pakistani film industry stand as compared to BollywoodIJ
Bollywood film industry has come about and become what it is today over a long, strenuous and organic process that spread over decades and become one of the largest centres of film production in the world. Pakistani industry is very nascent; it has just started to stand on its feet. It is going to take time. The pace at which it is growing it has the potential to reach a good spot fast.
In Bollywood, you took up projects with humour. WhyIJ
In a way it is correct. I like to laugh and make people laugh. It is a great thing if you can make others laugh. Comedy is a genre which goes well with the commercial banner especially in this region. However, I like to go for dry humour rather than slapstick. Teefa in Trouble has comedy with different shades like action and romance. It has a serious side to it as well.
Given the fact that there are so many action movies being made today. is there space for chocolate boy actorsIJ
I really can’t say. Everyone has to make space for themselves in whatever that they want to do in life. However, I myself enjoy more action and things that are a little more alternative rather than being clean cut in the chocolate boy zone.
A role that you would love to be a part of.
There are many roles that as an actor one wants to play. I particularly enjoy and like epics and war movies. Also, fantasy zone.
You are a singer, song-writer, actor and a painter. Now you have turned a producer. If you had to choose one, what would it beIJ
I am asked this question a lot of times. But I have never been able to answer it because I can’t restrain myself from exploring everything one desires and wishes and accomplish things that I want to create through art, music or acting or make movies. I would love to direct too.
What next — a movie or a songIJ
Right now, I am waiting for Teefa in Trouble to release. Once that is done, what is next will be revealed in time.