SHEHERYAR MUNAWAR SIDDIQUI: Surpassing Stardom

Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui has taken the Pakistani entertainment industry by storm ever since his first drama serial Meray Dard Ko Jo Zuban Miley aired in 2012. However, unlike most actors that live, breathe, and dream of acting, this man just stumbled upon it.

The 29-year-old is a finance and marketing graduate from the prestigious Institute of Business Administration and worked a corporate 9 to 5 job. During that time, he managed acting and modelling assignments on the side but did not plan on entering the industry as a full-time actor.

Eventually, he decided to quit the 9 to 5 route and started working towards a career in the media field.

His interest has always been behind the camera but when provided with an opportunity to be in the forefront, he took it up as an approach to enter the field and rest, as they say, is history.

From TV shows Zindagi Gulzar Hai to Aasmanon Pay Likha and then his film debut in Asim Raza’s Ho Mann Jahaan, this hunk has the entire nation swooning over him.

GLOSS got an opportunity to speak to the heartthrob about his career and his rise to fame.

Along with being an accomplished actor, you have also dabbled in production and directing – how did this transition occur?
I was working as an actor with Asim Raza, who is a film and TVC director and producer at the Vision Factory, an independent film studio founded in 1997 by Asim himself for some ad projects. While I was there, I developed a keen interest in how things work behind the camera. Eventually, I was offered an internship and I decided to take it.
Later on, I worked with the Vision Factory as an assistant director, director and then later as a producer. A few years later I branched out and started The Vision Factory Films with Asim Raza. Our first production was Ho Mann Jahaan.

Do these responsibilities ever come in the way of your acting? For example, Ho Mann Jahaan where you joined Asim Raza, as a producer and played the role of Arhaan.
Not in the least actually. Working behind the camera has been such an educational and learning experience for me in all regards, be it acting, directing or producing. Due to this experience, I am now a better judge of what acting jobs to take on. If anything, it has been more fruitful for my acting career.

Tell us about your process in picking a role.
When you read a script it either speaks to you or it does not. When I read a script that excites me, I know I want to be a part of it; I prefer characters that can be essayed in shades of grey.

What is a typical day like?
Well, it usually starts with a shoot and ends with it if I am shooting! However, usually, I am an early riser and I try to get as much done as possible in a day.
I have a healthy and full breakfast and head to the office which takes up most of my day. I try to squeeze in gymming in the evening and then head home to my family and give them time as much as I can, as that is the most important in the end!

Project Ghazi was up for release earlier this year, but after the glitches during the premiere, it has vanished from the scene. What are your thoughts on that?
I signed on to the project based on the script and my initial meetings with the director. Nadir Shah is a talented director and I could see how strongly he felt for the script when we met.
Once you take on a project you have to see it through to the best of your abilities. That is exactly what I did. There is a lot of hard work that has gone into the making of this film and I am hopeful that whatever glitches and issues the team is facing, they will be able to resolve them soon enough.

What would you say has been the most memorable and challenging role to play during your career in the industry?
I am still waiting for it.

Ho Mann Jahaan was when you made your big screen acting debut. How was the experience?
It was a lovely experience in every aspect. I was involved in it as an actor and as a producer, so for me, it was my baby.

Asim and the entire team have been very close to me and we had a ball of a time together. I think we all connected with the movie emotionally. It was a wonderful journey that we all took together as a tightly knit unit.

Do you think there is nepotism in the industry? Does it make it difficult for new and fresh talent to emerge or make a mark in the industry?
I think these sorts of things exist in any line of work. According to me, the best approach is to keep your head down and work hard.

I would always want to strive for success. When it comes to excellence, I think I have just begun the journey towards achieving it; it is a life-long process.

What do you think is the current situation of the Pakistani entertainment industry? And what needs to be improved to see it at the top in the near future?
We have been blessed with a lot of talented artists. Our dramas are being watched all over the world and our musicians have been celebrated internationally.

As for film as a medium, we are still in the process of understanding it and developing our own flavour. I think it is a constant process which will take time but I am very hopeful and I know we will make our way around it soon.

Do you feel that Zindagi Gulzar Hai has helped bring you into the limelight?
No, if anything, it was a very bad career move. I did not learn anything on the sets. Nobody, neither the director nor the producer, took out the time to educate and groom me as an upcoming actor. I was wrongly cast and to be honest, wasted.

Would you say you are more successful than famous or vice versa?
I think success is more important than fame any day, especially if success comes as a result of excellence in one’s chosen field.

I would always want to strive for success. When it comes to excellence, I think I have just begun the journey towards achieving it; it is a life-long process.

If given an opportunity would you consider working in Hollywood or Bollywood?
Depends on the opportunity and the role I will be offered. It does not matter if it’s Hollywood or Bollywood, as long as it satisfies my needs as an actor.

What is in the pipeline for you?
Currently, I am working on our next film, under The Vision Factory Films. Other than that I am acting on another film project Saat Din Mohabbat which is being shot presently.