{"id":44955,"date":"2024-01-07T12:43:31","date_gmt":"2024-01-07T12:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/it-was-the-paycheck-fawad-khan-talks-humsafar-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-07T12:43:31","modified_gmt":"2024-01-07T12:43:31","slug":"it-was-the-paycheck-fawad-khan-talks-humsafar-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/it-was-the-paycheck-fawad-khan-talks-humsafar-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"It was the paycheck: Fawad Khan talks \u2018Humsafar,\u2019 | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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While Pakistan\u2019s television and film industries have given us many stars, few can claim the full force of cosmic stardom in the age of social media that transcended borders and flourished despite political tensions. Leading this list of contemporary artists is no other than Fawad Khan, impressing audiences right off the bat with his stellar debut in 2007 film Khuda Kay Liye<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Gracing the couch on longtime friend and former band member Ahmed Ali Butt\u2019s podcast for a candid interview<\/a>, Fawad recalled his entry into Pakistani media industry before social media. \u201cIn a time when social media and internet were uncommon, I think your only escape from reality was music and film.\u201d While fans of the small screen remember the actor\u2019s dreamy hero from 2010 series Humsafar <\/em>or his boyish charm from 2012 drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai<\/em> despite essaying the arrogant and careless Zaroon, Fawad has flaunted many talents in showbiz.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know if today\u2019s generation can relate to that but at that time it was just imagination. You would listen to music and transport to a world,\u201d the star shared before delving into his music journey. For the ones obsessed with indie rock music scene in Pakistan, Fawad is perhaps equally, if not more, memorable as the lead singer of Entity Paradigm. Banding with Butt, now Coke Studio producer-mentor Xulfi, Salman Albert and Hassaan Khalid, EP\u2019s debut album Irtiqa <\/em>was critically acclaimed.<\/p>\n

Remarking on the band\u2019s brief dissolution in 2007 before it reassembled in 2010, Fawad reminisced fondly about the musical group\u2019s trajectory. Calling Shor Macha<\/em> \u201ca wonderful rock song,\u201d the celeb looked back at his departure from making music, clarifying that his decision wasn\u2019t prompted by \u201ccreative differences.\u201d \u201cYou know I\u2019m not one to create controversies but EP\u2019s breakup was a bit of an ugly breakup and it had its reasons but it\u2019s in the past now,\u201d Fawad replied with a smile.<\/p>\n

Actor also unpacked his mixed sentiments about his hit drama series Humsafar, acknowledging it as pivotal in catapulting him to fame. When asked what made him say yes to the script, Fawad expressed how he wasn\u2019t convinced by the project and declined twice, if not for one reason that ultimately enlisted him. \u201cIt was the paycheck,\u201d he commented humourously.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHumsafar <\/em>has given me a lot and I think it mostly worked not because it’s really a unique story. Many more stories like that were being told at that time. I think it was the combination of the people who did it\u2026That’s what made it somehow different,\u201d Fawad added. \u201cThe song had a lot to play with it as well. What a song! It had a role to play in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The actor disclosed how he rejected the script at first because he found the story too generic and overdone. \u201cWhen the script came, I kind of said no once, I said no twice, and the third [time], Momina is very persistent, and then… I was like, okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite holding little love for it, Fawad relayed his appreciation for Humsafar <\/em>and shared how he associated it with fond memories. Elaborating on his mixed sentiments for the drama, he commented, \u201cIt’s like that scenario, you don’t get to choose your parents and siblings in life.\u201d<\/p>\n

That said, Fawad maintains he has a lot to be grateful for, beginning with fate. A big milestone for the actor has been his success in charming fans across the border. Bagging a Bollywood debut in a high-profile project with Sonam Kapoor, however, Khoobsurat\u00a0<\/em>was more a leap of faith than strategic planning. \u201cI gave a screen test\u2026it happened because of Humsafar <\/em>and Zindagi Gulzar Hai<\/em> and again it was more of a why not,\u201d Fawad mused.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The star further admitted, \u201cI was not prepared for anything. I was winging it.\u201d To aspiring actors hoping to get their big break, Fawad has a similar advice to dispense. \u201cAlways enjoy the process. If you enjoy the process, the product will shine. Or at least people will connect with that.\u201d The actor contended that \u201cgood vibes translate,\u201d and went on to articulate his growing reluctance towards \u201cemotionally heavy stuff.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Fawad, it was partly this promise of good fun entertainment that made Khoobsurat <\/em>an exciting endeavour. Fans can only wonder if a serious project in the future might sway the actor\u2019s newly-disclosed stance. If true to his word, Fawad\u2019s current project might see him take on a sombre role one last time. \u201cI don’t want to do emotionally heavy stuff. It takes a lot out of you and it’s just…after a while it becomes irritating,\u201d he confessed.<\/p>\n

Recounting his acting stretch in India, Fawad revealed how he insisted on minimising the attention directed towards him in media, an inclination that spelled nightmares for his PRs. \u201cI had PRs and they used to get angry at this,\u201d he said. \u201cI was like, I need you to take out my name. Not put it in there.\u201d He further unveiled his disliking for keeping an active online presence outside film promotion, declaring, \u201cI don’t want to show the world that I’m eating a fried egg or I’m enjoying the cold breeze on the beach,\u201d Fawad explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fawad disclosed how Sonam and Siddharth Malhotra, his costars from his two Bollywood projects, signed him up for X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram respectively. \u201cMy team operates those accounts. And I don’t think I’m the kind of person who can handle it well. Like for me, it’s difficult to handle even this attention,\u201d he offered, clarifying his online presence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While many celebrities harness the reach of social media to cultivate deeper interactions with fans, Fawad is adamant about maintaining a certain distance and unavailability. As per the A-lister, an adequate level of intrigue is crucial in sustaining star power whereas \u201c24\/7 availability\u201d dilutes it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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