Meet Hasan Rizvi, Lahore Se Aagay

Ace choreographer sheds 18kgs in seven months to prepare for film debut

KARACHI:

If there is one thing Hasan Rizvi is known for, it would be his penchant for dance. But the ace choreographer has now decided to expand his horizons and is gearing up for an acting debut in Wajahat Rauf’s upcoming comedy Lahore Se Aagay.

Hasan told The Express Tribune that the principal photography for the film is about to begin. “I will be working in Lahore Se Aagay and have a supporting role in it,” said the 31-year-old. “The film will be shot in April and May this year, with an expected release of sometime around Choti Eid. For now, we are still searching for a co-supporting lady to accompany me,” he added.



This is not the first time that Hasan has been approached by the film fraternity. The choreographer has been on the radar for years now but opted to wait for the right project. “Initially, I would get offers but I found most of the projects very disorganised.” The soon-to-be-actor also shared that every actor must look a certain way, before he decides to accept any roles. “I wanted to look the part of an actor. Looks are developed over time but one must do it whole-heartedly. Therefore, I followed a stringent workout regime and shed 18kgs in seven months, instead of feeling miserable because of excess weight,” he said. Luckily for Rizvi, he does not have to go to great lengths to get some expert acting advice: his sister – singer and actor Komal Rizvi – is always by his side. “This is a supporting role so I am feeling a bit challenged,” he shared. “Komal says comedy is much harder to do than romance; so, I am scared and nervous, but definitely very excited!”



Hasan seems to be plunging headfirst into the world of films as Lahore Se Aagay is not the only project he has lined up. The dancer will also be serving as Director of Choreography for Azaan Sami Khan’s upcoming film Superstar. He delved into the details of the film, sharing that this is the first time a director of choreography is being hired for any project in Pakistan. “I will be looking after not only the signature steps but styling and dance steps in item numbers and soft numbers, as well,” said Hasan. He spoke highly of Khan’s mother, the legendary Zeba Bakhtiar who is also working on the film. “She is doing so much for Superstar! She has experience from Bollywood, which we all lack, and does small things which most of us overlook,” claimed Rizvi. “If this film doesn’t perform well in cinemas, I will be extremely disappointed. It is sure to take commercial Pakistani cinema to a whole new level.”



Yet, in the midst of it all, Hasan remains true to his roots, and professes that dancing will never take a backseat for him. “As a choreographer, I believe I have already achieved it all. Now I can give more time to acting and dance will make me me stand out as a performer.”



As his final words, Rizvi recalled how one time, about eight years ago, he told an interviewer that the general perception of dance in Pakistan will change one day, thanks to his efforts. “The interviewer wouldn’t believe me. But whether I did it alone or not, dance has, indeed, become more respectable in our society. Actors are learning how to do it. People in general take pride in dancing now. I have been through this journey and consider it a rewarding experience.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th,  2016.

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