ENTERTAINMENT
Ali Zafar on comparisons to Fawad Khan and why he hasn’t made up his mind on playing a homosexual
Ali Zafar’s last release was the 2014 release Kill Dil. The film tanked at the box-office. Since then, Ali has been on a self-proclaimed hiatus. Now, he’s back in the news for signing up Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi where he’s playing one of Alia Bhatt’s love interests. But a lot has changed in the last two years. Another Pakistani actor, Fawad Khan has cracked the code and become a favourite. For someone who enjoyed similar attention at the beginning of his career, Ali gets the comparison and talks to me why he’s happy with Fawad’s success. Read excerpts from our chat...
Why have you disappeared from the scene?
I spent close to five years here shooting films and doing lot of work. And to be honest, I was far away from family and saw my son growing up on Skype. He’s around five years old now and my daughter is a little over a year old. I was missing out on the important moments andI felt that I needed to give more time back home. I was exhausted with all the back-and-forth travelling. I took a break, went home, built a big house with a pool and fulfilled my dream to have a big music studio in the basement.
You do your recordings at home?
Yes, I do my recordings there. Then, I travelled the world with the family. I also had shows and tours. I put together my own production house and we have started some projects. So there was a lot that I missed back home. After the Peshawar attacks, we had pledged to make as many schools as the number of children that had died, so we have made about 40.
What’s been B-Town’s biggest lesson to you?
I’ve learnt that the industry works and functions at a certain pace. And I have my own pace to do things. I don’t like to go on a signing spree and sign projects. And I choose one project a year, so I can do that and everything else I want to do. Travel the world, sing, make music, sit in my studio. I am most peaceful and happy when I am sitting in my studio jamming with my friends, hanging out with my school buddies.
So I didn’t want to miss out on that part of life and lose that connection. I am no Aamir Khan. If I do one project and it doesn’t work I miss out on a year. So now, I have decided that I would indulge deeper into projects and not just do one project a year.
What has the failure of your films taught you?
I have been very conscious of the scripts and the content, but I think I will be even more cautious now. I didn’t sign many films before, because after a certain point, you get typecast and get the same roles. I had played the chocolate-boy and I wanted to try different things. I did Kill Dil because of that. It didn’t work out at that level. But the roles that I had been looking forward to would be roles which are not just clean-cut, but something edgy, cool, cut-through, something crazy, different and something challenging that kind of stuff.
Fawad was brave to accept and play a gay man in Kapoor & Sons. Would you be open to play a homosexual character?
If I play gay, it would only depend on what kind of role it is and the offer. I haven’t thought of it at all, because I haven’t been made any such offer.
Does it bother you that you are now being compared to Fawad Khan?
It pleases me for a bigger reason: since the time I came in, I just didn’t think of myself. I thought that I was just one person. There will have to be many like me who take this exchange of artistes between our two countries forward. And I feel very happy and glad that someone like Fawad is so well-received here. I hope more artistes come and receive that much love and vice-versa.
If you had to go back in time and tell the younger you one thing, what would it be?
Not a thing. You know your success is what defines you — how you were when something successful happened and how you were when something didn’t work out. These ups and downs are a part of life and how a man carries himself through those times is what defines him. I was, recently moved after Mohammed Ali’s death. For 10 days, I couldn’t do anything, but just watch his fights and his interviews. I learnt so much from him. As a boxer, he won fights and lost some, but it is about believing in yourself.
The lesson you came away with it, was...
I believe that I am destined for greatness, which is larger than whatever I have achieved so far. When I started singing, I was a nobody. But I envisioned that a day would come when I would be on stage and thousands of people would be singing my song. Similarly, I visualise and I see that day when this is just a start. I am still young, it’s a long journey. I have 20 years to play with.
Who is your therapist? Who you can talk about your troubles?
I don’t carry my baggage too much with me. I don’t like to talk about it. I think my troubles are for myself to deal with. But if I were to choose then some of my very close friends and my lovely wife.
You have a strong political opinion on what’s happening in Paksitan right now...
Well, I am an optimist and I will always be one. I am also a romantic, but at the same time. I am also a realist. You know I made a song called Udenge after the Peshawar incident. It spoke about a positive tomorrow, where we will rise. Pakistan is headed to a good space and good things are happening. Pakistan’s film industry business has picked up and had some amazing talent. Also, the youth in Pakistan is very proactive, which is a very good thing.
What are your sentiments on Qandeel Baloch’s honour killing?
I did tweet about it. I said if women started killing men to protect their honour a lot of us would be dead. It’s very sad that this happened.
Ali Abbas did his first film Mere Brother Ki Dulhan with you, did you watch his Sultan?
Ali is very dear to me. We met up recently. I watched Sultan, I really liked it and I have a very close association with Ali. He is a great guy and there is something that we are discussing, which I obviously can’t reveal, as of now.
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know
Anti-pollution diet: Foods that can help fight air pollution naturally
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's face 'blows up' after anti-aging experiment; here’s how
Expanding Horizons: GOCL Corporation’s Strategic Diversification in Electronics and Metal Cladding
TrezarBit App Review 2024: Legit Trading Platform? Quick Facts!
Meet man who worked closely with Isha Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, set to take new role as...
Meet man, lifted bricks 8 hours a day, cracked NEET by studying on broken phone, he scored...
US embassy in Kyiv shuts down after receiving warning of 'potential significant' Russian air attack
Anil Ambani's next BIG step, Reliance Group announces new plan for...
Jaguar reveals new brand logo, identity ahead of EV debut
Playing with Fire: Will Putin risk nuclear Armageddon before Trump takes office?
Gautam Adani's BIG Rs 16877 crore plan to take on Mukesh Ambani, set to build Mumbai's largest...