Imran Abbas ready to go bold if needed

Actor credits television with his success and won’t leave it while exploring Bollywood

NEW DELHI:

Pakistani female actors, such as Humaima Malick and Veena Malik Khan, have been uninhibitedly bold on Bollywood screens unlike their male counterparts in Pakistan. However, Lahore-based actor Imran Abbas Naqvi says that they have done so only to meet their roles’ demand, adding that he would not mind following in their footsteps if it was ‘inevitable’.

The Indian film industry has also welcomed artists such as  Fawad Khan and Ali Zafar from across the border. While the ladies have not shied away from being bold on the big screen, most male actors seem to stay away from it.



When asked whether Pakistani female actors are more bold and experimental, Imran, who made his Bollywood debut with Bipasha Basu-starrer Creature 3D in 2014,  said, “Whatever they  have done was required for their roles and if I’m also required to do so, I will go for it ... if it’s inevitable for my role. This issue is not gender specific.”

The former model says he chooses scripts that let him experiment with his craft. “I always want to do something which gives me some margin to perform and show my acting prowess. Yes, at times we make wrong choices too, but we are bound to do so as human beings. Be it comedy, romance, action or thriller, I’m open to any type of genre. It all depends on how well crafted my role is,” he said.

Imran is currently filming Jaanisaar and is having a good time working with Umrao Jaan director Muzzafar Ali and co-star, fashion entrepreneur and stylist Pernia Qureshi.

Asked about his personal style, the actor said, “My personal style is very minimalistic. You will usually find me in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.”

The poetry fan catapulted to fame in Pakistan through the small screen and has no plans of  leaving the platform. “I can’t leave my fans. TV is a platform that has given me recognition and fame,” said the Noor Bano star.



But Imran wants to continue exploring. “I believe life is a journey and one should always try to explore new things in life, and acting in Bollywood is not new to me because I have been acting since ages. It’s just that now I have crossed the border and started acting (in Bollywood).”

He is happy with the fact that Indian actors are also working in his country. He said, “We love to work with Indian actors and singers. Naseeruddin Shah, Nandita Das, Kirron Kher, and many TV actors have been working in Pakistani films and TV serials. Even I’ve worked with many of them,” Imran noted.

“Indian singers have also sung for Pakistani films, TV and TV commercials. You can watch all Indian top actors in advertisements and commercial campaigns. Come to Pakistan and have a round of any city,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th,  2015.

Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.