Finally, fame, recognition and appreciation for a star unknown

Aisamul Haq and Shah Rukh Khan are contrasting personalities who have one thing in common: wanting world peace.

Aisamul Haq Qureshi and Shah Rukh Khan are contrasting personalities, have contrasting careers, fan-base and celebrity value remain strikingly different. One has been a global icon for decades while the other, from Lahore, has barely adjusted to the spotlight which, according to him, has taken a long time coming.

They have one thing in common though: wanting world peace. With both emphasising that on their trips to New York - at the airport and on a tennis court - Qureshi, through a speech that seemed like an after-thought as the microphone pulled away from him, left the king of Bollywood in his wake. Not because Qureshi is from Pakistan, but because the act was genuine. It was not a stunt, but an uncut, unrehearsed uttering of a tennis star unknown not only to the world, but to most of his countrymen as well.

Khan spoke for himself but Qureshi expressed the voice of millions, with a stutter, and without thinking of the consequences.

“I had no idea it was going to create such an impact,” said Qureshi. “The perception in the US is unbelievable, it’s mind-bothering. You bring out a green passport, you get raised eyebrows. Life is short, I had to take the chance and God gave me the courage and belief to say those words.”

With the win - Qureshi terms his twin losses a victory - the 30-year-old has achieved what he wanted since he started playing: recognition, fame, appreciation and being considered a role-model. The flattering scoreline, especially in the second final, was the result of 15 years of hard work that went unacknowledged. Rightly so, breeding the omnipresent desire of being famous and successful that a common man has.

“We all want to be famous. I’ve always wanted to be a role-model, a door opener for talent. I knew it’d take a long time and a huge effort. It motivates me, being a celebrity. I’m enjoying the attention. People who know nothing about tennis come and laud my efforts. For the first time in 15 years, I felt that my country was proud of me.”

But Qureshi has had doubters and critics, who have not questioned his ability and talent but his patriotism and self-interest. Hammered for pulling out of a Davis Cup tie for a doubles tournament, he managed to beat Roger Federer. Accused of not spending much time training for this year’s relocated Davis Cup tie as he travelled with doubles partner Rohan Bopanna, winning and losing, Qureshi’s US Open feat may allow Pakistan an easy passage at the Commonwealth Games.

In a year that has seen an ATP title come his way as he reached the quarters at Wimbledon and the US Open success, Qureshi is aware of the waves he has created.

“Last year I joined hands with a soft drinks manufacturer with the motto of badal do zamana (change the times). I believe, with the efforts I’ve made, times are indeed changing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2010.