In conversation with

Adeel Chaudhry

Pakistani actor and singer Adeel Chaudhry has been making the rounds in the industry lately after his Pakistani film debut ‘Maan Jao Na,’ which was released earlier this year.

Adeel has worked in various advertising campaigns in Pakistan and India, rubbing elbows with titans like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan. He also picked up an MTV Popular Choice Award for his song ‘Move Your Body’ off the 2008 Bollywood movie Kismat Konnection. He is also a veteran of many Pakistani dramas.

GLOSS got a chance to interview this star to know more about his work and his Pakistani debut ‘Maan Jao Na.

Tell us about yourself.
I am a self-made man. I am also very hard working and passionate about my work.

What got you into acting and singing?
Shahrukh Khan. I grew up watching Bollywood movies, and SRK was not just the King of Bollywood but the King of Romance as well. Since then, I have wanted to be a romantic hero. After teaching myself how to dance, act, play the piano and guitar, I thought I was ready to be an actor. I am a dentist by profession but because of my passion and a small artist in me, I entered this field.

How was it working in Bollywood and then making a film debut in Pakistan?
The reason I started off with Bollywood was that our cinema was still trying to make a mark in the industry. Having said that, there is nothing like working for your people, with your people.
My first album, ‘Koi Chehra,’ was released in India through TIPS. After the release of the album, TIPS signed me up for films and through that I landed the film ‘Rhythm’. However, I have always wanted to work with the Pakistani industry so when I was approached with the script of ‘Maan Jao Na’ by Crew Films, I knew I had to take it. I am happy to see the industry is flourishing and that I made my Pakistani debut with this genre of films.

How has the success of Maan Jao Na been ever since its release and how do you feel about it?
I think the film has done great. The film critics gave some good reviews. It is safe to say that it has done well at the box office. It has entered its fourth week at cinemas. The competition has been tough because movies like ‘Padmavaat,’ ‘Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor’ and ‘Pari’ were also being screened alongside.
When you have got 95 screens across the country, each film is provided with 22 screens. So it has been very competitive, but now we are all set to be released worldwide.

How was it working with Elnaaz Norouzi?
It has been great. Naaz and I know each other from a very long time and we have a special bond, which made working with her easier. Despite being of Iranian descent she speaks Hindi very well and I think she has done a great job with ‘Maan Jao Na’.

Any moments from sets you would like to share?
There were so many, but one that stands out is a stunt I performed myself. There was one scene where I had to jump off the cliff into the sea in extremely cold weather; it was somewhere around December or January when we shot that scene. Despite my producer telling me to leave it to the stuntman, I wanted to be the hero that I think I am, and I did it. I jumped into freezing cold water.

What are the similarities and differences between the Pakistani media industry and the Indian media industry?
I think the most prominent difference is that of professionalism. In addition to that, there is a huge lobby system in the Pakistani industry, especially Karachi, which I feel would not be working in the favour of the industry as a whole. Being a creative industry, we should give chance to everyone to enter the field and give them space to grow. Who knows, we might have the next Steven Spielberg or Sri Devi in the country, but because we do not want to explore new talent, these kids just don’t get a chance to prove their talent.

How do you cope with criticism on your performance?
I take criticism very positively. I have come across situations where people comment on how a specific scene could have been shot in a better way, but they do not realize the budget constraints the crew is faced with. So, criticizing my performance can be done easily, and it is always good to know how I can improve myself for the better.

Do you have a fitness routine considering all stars now have one these days?
I try to work out every day; and because I love running and swimming, it all just fits perfectly in my fitness regime. Moreover, considering that I am a doctor, I always try to eat healthy. My diet includes gluten-free food, vegetables, lamb and beef sometimes. So, it can be said it is a very controlled diet.

What’s your motto in life that keeps you going?
‘I want to be the best’ is what I keep repeating, and I can see myself working towards it.

Any other career you would like to dabble in?
Considering that I am a big foodie, I already have franchises of various restaurants in my hometown, so I am an entrepreneur as well.

What’s in the pipeline for you?
I am currently starring in Furqan T. Siddiqui’s ‘Muhabat Karna Mana Hai,’ which also stars Adnan Siddiqui, Samiya Mumtaz and Noor. Apart from that, nothing major because I want a break and I really need to relax and enjoy life at the moment.