{"id":19811,"date":"2023-10-31T12:23:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T12:23:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/from-bus-rides-to-blockbuster-gohar-rasheeds-rise-to-fame-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-31T12:23:12","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T12:23:12","slug":"from-bus-rides-to-blockbuster-gohar-rasheeds-rise-to-fame-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/from-bus-rides-to-blockbuster-gohar-rasheeds-rise-to-fame-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"From bus rides to blockbuster: Gohar Rasheed’s rise to fame | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The face behind the widely-appreciated role of Maakha Natt from the 2022 blockbuster film The Legend of Maula Jatt<\/em>, Gohar Rasheed\u2019s rise to fame was neither easy nor instant. The actor is currently stealing the show with two TV productions simultaneously on air: Jindo <\/em>and Jannat Se Aagay<\/em>. In a heartfelt chat with host Hassan Choudary on Express Entertainment\u2019s The Talk Talk Show<\/em>, Rasheed delved into his journey from working menial jobs to embracing his acting talent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Highlighting the social stigma that surrounds performing arts in Pakistan and extends to both young men and women, Rasheed had similar differences with his father. \u201cMy father firmly stated that if you insist on doing this, do it on your own. I won’t support you.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Baby steps to success<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Coming to Karachi with meager funds to target a competitive field was no less than a herculean task Rasheed contended, he said he even sold cigarettes to gather enough funds to move to the metropolis.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll I knew was that there\u2019s an I.I. Chundrigar road in Karachi where all mainstream media houses have their head offices. Every day I would take the bus from Boat Basin, where I was living back then, to I.I. Chundrigar to drop my CV and showreel at every channel,\u201d the Maula Jatt<\/em> actor said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The celebrity described his first job as involving \u201cdonkey work,\u201d managing technical operations on set, which was starkly different from working as an actor.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought I\u2019d be an actor,\u201d he confessed, citing his reservations about his facial scars that didn\u2019t fit the conventional hero look that dominated the scene back in the day. \u201cI wasn’t the quintessential \u2018pappu\u2019 larka with flowing hair and fair skin,\u201d Rasheed said, referring to his earlier \u201cdefeatist\u201d approach that many young boys share.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The actor further explained that young people entering the entertainment industry are liable to internalise harsh judgments and rejections, but despite such pervasive industry stereotypes, consistency is the key. \u201cYou cannot give anyone the right to define you. No one can dictate what you can or cannot doThere\u2019s no one else like you and you proceed from acknowledging that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Revealing his own \u201cleap of faith\u201d that finally brought him in front of the camera, Rasheed discussed his first acting performance for a theatre adaptation of Moulin Rouge<\/em> in Karachi that prompted an encouraging response from Vaneeza Ahmed, his superior at Style 360, before he scored a minor role through the producer, Wajahat Rauf.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Embracing the scars<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

One instance that Rasheed can never forget is how a young boy who reached out to him on Facebook, told him that he also has scars on his face but seeing Rasheed on screen encouraged him to believe that he also has a chance. The actor termed this interaction a \u201cchanging point\u201d in his life that fueled his commitment to prove that anyone can make it in this field on the basis of sheer talent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

From Digest Writer<\/em> to Manmayal<\/em> to Rangreza<\/em>, Rasheed listed down a number of roles that he thought would catapult him into overnight fame but stopped short of doing so. \u201cWhen Digest Writer became a hit, that\u2019s when I first felt recognised. No one knew my name; they used to call me Shaukat, the name of my character. Then I hit a downfall,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Talking about the short burst in his popularity with the 2017 romantic film Rangreza<\/em>, Rasheed added, \u201cThe trailer was very popular with people and then I was all proud that this was finally my moment but thank God that film flopped because if it hadn’t, it would have extremely inflated my pride.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was an epiphany for me that hit or flop, these are matters better left to fate,\u201d he furthered. The actor also commented on his success with The Legend of Maula Jatt<\/em>, stating, \u201cI spent ten years on Maula Jatt<\/em> from the genesis of the idea to its release. The key is consistency – who could have predicted then that such an expensive film would take off in a small market?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a question from the audience about his plans to marry, Rasheed dispelled rumors of a potential romance with co-actor Kubra Khan, whom he called his \u2018best friend\u2019 and \u2018family\u2019, insisting that not all relationships need a romantic future to stay legitimate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Jannat Se Aagay<\/em> star also commented on rejecting an offer from Bollywood for the 2016 film Neerja<\/em>, starring Sonam Kapoor. \u201cI declined because the role was of a terrorist,\u201d he explained. \u201cArt and craft and cultures have no boundaries but at the end of the day, you are representing your country. That representation comes with a responsibility that should be felt and handled well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a stand<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Speaking about expressing political views online, Rasheed said, \u201cIn today\u2019s time when social media is so influential, everyone should speak up for what they believe is right.\u201d The celebrity also reiterated his support for Palestine and insisted on the importance of using your platform.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost people aren’t talking about Palestine,\u201d he observed, adding, \u201cThis is rather unfortunate so I urge everyone to take a stand. Don’t think about what impact your voice will have, the outcome is not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to raise your voice.\u201d He also condemned the rise of disinformation and the media\u2019s \u2018irresponsible\u2019 coverage of the Palestine-Israel issue.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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