This year has been a game-changer for TV serials: Gohar Rasheed

Gohar Rasheed says Pakistani dramas now addressing key issues, breaking out of stereotypical portrayal of characters

LAHORE: Ever since it began airing in January 2016, TV serial Mann Mayal has developed a cult following of its own, something that can be credited to both its star-studded ensemble cast and its engaging storyline. Gohar Rasheed’s character Mikael has not been seen on the show for the past three episodes. While performers such as Hamza Ali Abbasi, Maya Ali, Ayesha Khan, Saba Hameed, Saleem Mairaj and Talat Hussain are still populating the screen, there is something about Mikael that makes us miss him.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Rasheed addressed the first and foremost question with a frank answer. “Yes he will be back after Eid,” he said. Rasheed had never expected the character to gain the attention of audiences but their response has made him think. “Compared to everyone else in Mann Mayal, Mikael is very different. He is selfish, cold-hearted, indifferent but most importantly, he is real. I think that is what clicked with the people,” he added. While the actor was a little unsure about working on television previously, he feels 2016 has been a game-changer of sorts for the TV drama business. “Mann Mayal, Udaari, Mor Mahal, Dillagi and Zara Yaad Kar have all shun those cookie-cutter roles,” he said, adding that they are addressing key issues that exist in our society.



While Mikael will indeed make his comeback, Rasheed also has his hands full with some very exciting film appearances. He has just wrapped up the shoot of Yalghaar and has already signed up for films such as Rungreza and Maula Jatt.

Talking about the Hassan Waqas Rana war epic, Rasheed said his character has both a good and a bad side and he represents the bad in a good way. “I play a militant but the film unravels the story of whether that was a good decision for him or a bad one. The character technically drives the film,” Rasheed reveals.



In Rungreza, he will be starring opposite Sana Javed and Bilal Ashraf and this he feels is the most challenging role he has ever played. “It’s a musical love story so I am learning to play the dholak. I am also undergoing physical transformation for the role and even growing my hair to obnoxious lengths for it,” he added.

In the wake of qawwal Amjad Sabri’s assassination, a group of artists had recorded a video message, demanding security equal to that of government officials. Led by former Sindh Board of Film Censors head Fakhr-e-Alam, the group said artists are as popular as government functionaries hence they deserve more security. They urged the government to either ensure their safety, or give up its own protocols and tell the people that everyone is equally vulnerable in the present situation and not just the weak and powerless.

While only few were present in the video, others including Rasheed, showed support by sharing it on their respective Facebook accounts. The video soon became a talking point and some termed the demands too unjust and selfish.

“Fakhr-e-Alam was talking about the bigger picture. I shared it because for me, security doesn’t mean having a guard and protocol. It means walking out of the door and feeling safe,” he said, adding, “It’s not an individual’s war because every Pakistani is under threat and we all need protection from the government.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.

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