Taking a stand: ‘Unfortunate that artistes become victims of hate’

Shoaib Akhtar on Amjad Sabri’s assassination, upcoming stint on Indian television

NEW DELHI: Former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar believes sportspersons or artistes are a reflection of the society they represent and enter foreign shores as ambassadors of their country. On the same note, he feels it is unfortunate and deplorable when such personalities become victims of hate or crime.

“Sportspersons or artistes are a reflection of the society they represent. It is unfortunate and deplorable when they become victims of hate or crime. Amjad Sabri’s death was a great loss to Pakistan,” Akhtar said in an interview.

The ‘Rawalpindi Express’, who will be seen judging upcoming Indian television comedy show Mazak Mazak Mein, condemned the assassination. Be it India, Pakistan or any other country, he said the world has to unite to fight growing violence. “I think we’re all extremely sensitive to any kind of violence, act of terror or loss of life. No one likes that. We will all have to shed our differences and fight as one; otherwise things will slip out of our hands. I was distraught when the Madina blasts happened,” said the 40-year-old.





On the comedy show he will be joined by Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. The show will soon go on air. On his relevance to the show, Akhtar added, “Humour is an inherent part of a human being’s life ... It is not about a cricketer or cricket, I think it is about an individual.”

This is not his first outing on Indian screens, Akhtar has earlier appeared on Comedy Nights with Kapil and reality show Ek Se Badhkar Ek. Asked whether the audience will see him as a strict judge, he stated, “My natural side is friendly, funny and easy going. So, in short, you will see a friendly and a compassionate judge in me.”

Many comedians are criticised for crossing the line of decency by way of either taking digs at women or making fun of a certain profession. Akhtar hopes that Mazak Mazak Mein will be different in this regard.

“No humour should be hurtful or derogatory. I think people have to be mindful of each other’s sentiments. I am sure the makers of the show, the participants and the network are mindful of that.” Akhtar added, “A successful show is one that a father and daughter can watch together. To me that is a yardstick of clean comedy.”



Whether he plans on venturing into films after his small screen appearance remains unclear. Akhtar mentioned that for now he is only focusing on the show. “It is not something that I am not thinking about. At the moment my whole energy is channelised in making Mazak Mazak Mein the best comedy show on TV.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2016.

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