AHSAN KHAN
THE MAN OF MANY TALENTS
Gloss reporter SANEELA JAWAD talks to AHSAN KHAN, award winning actor who plays all his characters so well that people fall in love with him over and over again.
Photography ABDULLAH HARIS
Grooming N-GENTS
Ahsan Khan, the man with the most dreamy eyes in the industry, is known and loved by all. He started his career in 1998 and there has been no turning back. The British-Pakistani actor is known for his versatile acting and charismatic personality.Ahsan Khan is a Jack of all trades. He dances, he sings, he acts and is a social activist. He has worked on issues like child abuse, which was touched upon in his latest hit drama Udaari, where he portrayed the character of a child molester Imtiaz.
This year, Ahsan Khan has bagged many awards for his repulsive pedophilic character in Udaari. The drama has been a pioneer to raise such sensitive issues via a medium known and watched by the masses.
Ahsan Khan’s character in Udaari has been the most talked about lately and Paa Imtiaz has had a love-hate relationship with the audiences.
2017 has marked his entry into the post-revival cinema movement. He is all set to explore the lighter comic roles this year, which includes his upcoming projects ‘Rehbra’ with Ayesha Omar and ‘Chupan Chupai’ with Neelam Munir.
With over two decades under his belt, Ahsan Khan holds quite a diversified portfolio. He made his film debut in 2001 with Ghar Kab Aao Ge, an action film, alongside Shaan, Babar Ali, Saima and Meera. Furthermore, he also appeared in films like Billi (horror film), Ishq Khuda (Punjabi film) and Dil Mera Dharkan Teri (romantic-drama telefilm).
He has acted in many TV shows which include, Saiqa, Pani Jaisa Pyaar, Mere Qatil Mere Dildaar and Mata-e-Jaan Hai Tu to name a few.
Ahsan Khan is more than just a boy-next-door in the industry. Along with being an ace actor, he is one of the most humble, polite person you would meet in the Pakistani entertainment industry.
I believe that Pakistani cinema has gone through a rebirth and not a revival. We are making films today that are nothing like the films made back in the days.
You have been in the showbiz for quite some time now. Tell us about the journey so far?
It has been quite a journey. I have faced rejection and humiliation. I have dealt them with respect and admiration. So, it’s fair to say that I have had my highs and my lows. It has been a journey that has helped me become a better actor and a better human being.
I have achieved success through hard work, diligence and perseverance. Money, social status, political connections and favours did not come into play as I rose in stature as an actor. This is the only way I would have wanted it. It is a journey I would undertake again a million times.
How far do you think the Pakistani drama and film industry has come from the time you started?
I believe that television has seen some technical improvement and a lot of new acting, directing and talent.
Not only that, the soundtracks have improved tremendously. However, I believe that it has not progressed intellectually. There is a need for a large number of new writers who can explore the full spectrum of human life and existence through television plays. On the other hand, films have seen tremendous growth. I believe that the Pakistani cinema will become one of the major film industries after a decade or two.
This year Pakistan film industry has been all about revivals. Do you agree to this and what should be done to make it better?
I believe that Pakistani cinema has gone through a rebirth and not a revival. We are making films today that are nothing like the films made back in the days.
The Pakistani industry has reinvented itself and continues to grow. I think the success of the energy would depend on the inflow of money, quality of production and greater revenues.
Basically, we need more cinemas and we need to export our films to other countries.
You have dabbled in acting, modelling and now production. Which of the three are you most comfortable with?
I would say acting.
What made you start your own production house and move in this direction?
I wanted greater creative control and I wanted to grow as a professional.
Udaari has become an ice breaker when it comes to talking about taboo topics, but will this trend survive?
Udaari has been a monumental play in many ways. After the response received for Udaari, one thing we know for sure is that Pakistani television is ready to explore other taboo topics in the future and work with daring integrity and responsibility.
You have won several awards for your role in Udaari at LSA and Hum Awards, how do you feel about that?
I am very proud of this achievement because I feel I have played my part as an actor to raise awareness about a social issue, which is being appreciated by the masses.
Additionally, I feel that any award that a serial like Udaari receives is a result of great teamwork, and thus it should be considered an award for the entire team rather than just an individual, as they are all a part of making this sort of a change in people’s mindset within our society.
Yasir Hussain’s comment regarding your character role at the recent Hum Awards created quite an uproar, what are your thoughts on that?
I can safely say that all of us, including the crowd, were quite shocked.
That comment was insensitive, offensive and irresponsible and while I think his apology should have been more sincere, it’s time for people to forgive, forget, move on and focus on the actual problem at hand – child sex abuse. It is high time we stop attacking individuals such as Hussain and take a meaningful step at eliminating the problem, which is more important.
How was it playing the role of a villain for a change for someone who has always played the hero?
It was certainly more challenging and involved a lot of psychological study into the mind of a pervert. It was a risky move, but I am glad the effort put into portraying a child molester in order to raise awareness, paid off.
How have you dealt with people associating you with the negative character you portrayed?
It all comes back to the severity of the issue and the fact that many people don’t realise the impact of it. After playing the role of Imtiaz, people have made some unkind jokes about it.
In this day and age, even my kids have been asked at school about the character their father had played.
Nevertheless, it all comes down to the fact that it impacted a large audience and the effort has all been worthwhile because playing a character like Imtiaz’s is every actor’s dream. I am glad that I got a chance to be one of the people who brought the issue of child sexual abuse to the forefront.
Udaari has been a monumental play in many ways. After the response received for Udaari, one thing we know for sure is that Pakistani television is ready to explore other taboo topics in the future and work with daring integrity and responsibility.
Has playing such a powerful role in Udaari affected the way you choose roles now?
Of course, it has. People expect a lot more from me now. My choices have been narrowed. I am looking to play unconventional, interesting and multi-layered characters with a lot of nuance and complexity.
What other issues do you think can be highlighted through this medium – drama and film? How effective can they be?
The issues of poverty, racism, sexism, minority rights, fairness, corruption, justice, and access to education can and should be highlighted in television and film. Not doing so would be selling the mediums short and majorly irresponsible.
TIDBITS
Describe yourself in 3 words
Kind, humble and genuine
One role you could have done better
Imtiaz
One profession you would pick other than actor, model and producer
Charitable Work
Biggest regret in life
Not having worked in films and plays with socially relevant themes
Biggest achievement so far
I have had a number of small successes, but no big achievements as yet
Biggest Pet Peeve
People showing off and misbehaving in public
One thing you notice first about the opposite sex
Intellect
One movie you can watch over and over again
The Woodsman
One advice you would give to your 15-year-old self
Life passes by quick and our time on this planet is severely limited. Do not waste time
Most memorable moment in life
The first time a fan approached me in public
Your ‘go-to’ clothes brand
Prada. Although I am beginning to really like the Russian designer Gosha Rubchinskiy and American designer John Elliott. However, I mostly buy clothes off the rack from all around the world
