The last laugh: Danish Nawaz content with comic roles

Actor says light-hearted, entertaining films essential for industry to grow

LAHORE: Danish Nawaz has a long association with comedy. From directing TV serials to acting in them, the genre has become second nature to him.

These days he has his hands full with Hum Sab Ajeeb Se Hain, Nok Jhok and Jakariya Kulsoom Ki Love Story. He made his film debut last year with his brother Yasir Nawaz’s production Wrong No. The Express Tribune caught up with the actor about how stepping into the film industry changed his career trajectory and what the future holds for “entertainment films” in Pakistan.



Wrong No. clearly set the ball rolling for the actor-turned-director. “It gave investors the confidence to invest in more entertainment films because they got returns,” he shared. It led Danish to his film debut as a director. “I am writing and directing and acting in this film. Every actor dreams of directing a film and I finally got my opportunity.”

Somehow, all of Danish’s projects have been related to comedy and although this seems to be his game, it may hinder his growth in the long run. He, however, doesn’t seem to have any problems with that. “I’ve always been doing comedy and the time is right for entertainment films so I feel it’s okay to keep at it.”

He added that entertainment films are the only ones doing well at the box office and generating profits. Naming films like Jawani Phir Nahi Aani, Wrong No., Na Maloom Afraad, he said, “All these films generated the most business for our cinema.



I present myself as a comedy actor and I have no issues with doing comedy roles only. I’d rather do something that I’m really good at than do something so many other people are doing. I am comfortable where I am one in 10 as opposed to being one in a 100.”

He also feels that people in Pakistan want to be entertained by their films. “What I see on the news, I don’t want to see in the cinema. One has to keep in mind the audiences when making a film, and know exactly what their interests are.”



The actor also highlighted the fact that the Pakistani film industry is still much smaller compared to Bollywood and Hollywood. He said that when such is the case, entertainment films automatically seem to garner a better response from the audience.

“We have a limited number of cinemas and then there’s a great deal of competition with international films. Thought-provoking movies and indie films only run when your population or industry is already big,” he said.

He further added that the percentage of people interested in “intellectual films” would always be far less, and hence a thriving, established industry is essential for the success of such films.

Danish will soon be seen in another production of Yasir towards the end of this year. Yasir shared that it will be a “comedy with a strong message, unlike Wrong No. which was purely comedy”. Although, the rest of the cast is still being finalised, the film will have Danish essaying a comic role, as always.

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

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