By Mishal Manzoor
The looks, the style, the voice and the charisma, this man has it all! Well equipped with immense talent and extremely refined acting abilities this heartthrob of millions has created a lot of buzz in the country and across the border. With his latest big hit, Khoobusrat, Fawad Khan is all set to give a tough spell to his competitors. He plays a Rajisthani prince in his Bollywood debut ‘Khoobsurat’. His smile makes their heart skip a beat and his acting trysts have truly earned him many accolades. From the love-struck young boy to the tragically jealous lover, Fawad’s romantic avatars have affirmed him as Pakistan’s hottest romantic hero.
He’s always dressed to the nines and carries a suave vibe around him. As a person he’s inexplicably polite, well-mannered and an absolute crush for women of all ages. Without doubt he has tailored his own recognition in the industry as he is currently the face of big budget ad-campaigns and various upcoming film projects. With so much in hand and more yet to come, Fawad surely has a long way to go!
Sunday Plus got a chance to speak to this modern day prince charming who gently shared his thoughts and experiences about his journey. Following are excerpts of the interview:
Khoobsurat has become viral amongst your fans as well as the critics. Comment.
The response has been overwhelming, I am truly touched with the amount of love that people have showed me locally and abroad, I am glad that my fans and fellow critics have appreciated my performance in the film. I hope to have this support for future endeavors also, and to do my very best to maintain this love and affection that I have received.
How was the experience working in Bollywood?
It’s been a ride. Where I am happy to be making a mark, I’m also scared of not landing on the expectations of my fans
How different do you find working in India as compared to Pakistan.
I’ve learnt a lot from working in Bollywood. Pakistani films are certainly on the rise but in India, movies are already a huge, money-churning business. They are extremely organized and professional. For instance, wherever our team went to shoot, we were accompanied by an auditing team. They’d work in a separate room and make sure that we’d never go over the budget. There is so much to learn that I find the entire debate that Pakistani actors shouldn’t work elsewhere senseless. By working in other countries, we’re able to move out of our comfort zones, learn more and bring that back to our own industry.
How did Khoobsurat happen? What made you sign the movie?
Because it’s a classic romantic movie. As a newcomer, I felt it was better to attempt something safe rather than something that is overtly intellectual.
SS: How do you feel about the response you’re getting so far, was it expected or it came as a surprise?
It was not expected at all. Response from India and Pakistan was overwhelming for me.
When you play a particular character you truly become one. Does it come out natural or do you spend days to get into that character?
I just react as would a person faced with such a situation. I try to believe it rather than be told what to believe. My clothes in the film were made by a designer Raghavendra Rathore. So whenever he used to come, I used to observe him a lot. His mannerism, royalty, and the way he talks with people, helped me lot.
You’re paying much attention to your acting career these days. Have you said goodbye to singing already?
I love singing. It is a thing with whom I started my career. I never can’t say bye to singing. I have enjoyed music the most.
How was the experience for promoting your film in a totally manner as compared to Pakistan? Did you find it interesting to visit every promotional event and reality shows?
It was fantastic. It’s not necessarily a brand of humor that I understand. As it is, I am generally a very reserved person and shy away from TV interviews. I would similarly be terrified if I was part of a talk show with Umar Sharif. His satirical repartee would probably leave me speechless.
Any similarities between Fawad Khan and Vikram Singh Rathore?
I am not at all a boring and quiet person in real life, something that my character has been depicted as in the film. Vikram Singh Rathod, is a serious no-nonsense kind of guy in Khoobsurat, a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's directorial venture, clarifies that there is no similarity between me and my character in the fun-filled drama.
Are you planning to work more for Bollywood? Have you been approached for another project?
I’m currently in talks for a Pakistani film and a couple of Bollywood films. I’m staying away from television for a while.
People in India say that if you were in Bollywood, you would have given a tough competition to the ‘Three Khans’. Comment.
*laughs*
It is a huge honor for me to be compared to “the Khans” of Bollywood but I wouldn’t dream of comparing myself to them as of yet. I think I am fairly new in the acting industry and I still have a lot to learn.
What do you do in your free time?
The days that I am off work are the days I spend like a bear. I go into hibernation. I stay at home and connect with family. I visit my parents or my in laws and I love to spend time with my son.
How do you balance your personal life with work? Do you manage to spend quality time with your family and friends?
I try to control the quantity of the work I commit myself to so that I am able to give my family and friends ample time.
Message for our readers.
Don’t follow the path that is given to you. Make one for yourself. There is no shame in rebelling with a sense of integrity and standing up for what is right. It’s alright to say no.