Ahsan Khan is one such actor who managed to win over the audiences even as a negative character. He has proved his mettle in Pakistan’s drama industry with various acting trysts and is all set to be seen in two upcoming films, Chupan Chupai and Rehbraa but we still miss him as Pa Imtiaz.
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Speaking to The Express Tribune, Ahsan said “Udaari was a great but very, very tough experience for me because of the script. When I first read it, I just knew it was going to be something special and the story just needed to be told. I worked very hard for my character; I wanted to make sure that the message of the serial reached everyone, that the taboos around it are broken. Udaari became a game changer of our industry because no one else had done anything like it.”
“I kept telling our director Mohammed Ehteshamuddin to tone down the aggression. I had never seen such things in my life so it became even harder to get into character, especially for the molestation scenes.”
“I’ve always wanted to be an actor. I was always fond of acting, dancing, singing and performing in general. As a child, I watched many films, acted in school plays and even in front of the mirror. It’s been quite a journey. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes and struggles,” he added.
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“I make sure Ahsan Khan is original. I’ve worked with the best and the worst directors, which has shaped me as an individual. Acting is not just performing your lines; it’s a test of patience,” he said. “It improves your learning skills.”
When asked about his upcoming films, Ahsan replied, “Chupan Chupai is a satire about unemployment and how today, youngsters deal with it is. The cast includes Javed Sheikh, Sakina Sumo and Neelum Munir. As for Rehbraa, we’ve got Ayesha Omar and Ghulam Mohiuddin too. Both films are very interesting and entertaining.”
“I actually turned down four major film offers recently, as I had committed to TV already. I believe that television is our forte; no Pakistani actor should neglect it. We have a great niche market for our dramas, both locally and abroad,” he stated. “I, for one, could never abandon a medium which brought me so much respects and success.”
“Up until now, Lollywood was like a regional film industry, rather than mainstream Pakistani cinema. Syed Noor and Shoaib Mansoor kept it alive but there were very few Urdu films being produced then,” he said.
He also feels it is unfair to compare Lollywood with the Indian film industry, with there being a major disparity between both. “Bollywood has government support and phenomenal revenue. The entire budget for one Pakistani film is what India spends on just one film song! Here in Pakistan, we are doing things on our own, trying to provide entertainment with limited resources and without external support or formal training schools, etc. What we lack are good scripts. Our films should not look like TV serials.”
Ahsan has been approached by producers from Bollywood as well. “I had been meeting with some directors but then things started heating up on the political front. I think I’d still consider going there if the project is good and allows me to maintain my dignity as a Pakistani actor. If not, I have plenty of great work, love and success in Pakistan already.”