There are a lot of subjects we cannot talk about: Pashto actor Ajab Gul

Ajab Gul feels more can be done with Pashto cinema, has high expectations from upcoming film based on Aitzaz Hasan

KARACHI: While Pakistani cinema continues to adopt a more homogenised culture where film-makers aim to cater to all kinds of audiences simultaneously, regional cinema is bound to suffer. Producers are now reluctant to inject money into niche films as they did in the past. One can say that actor-director Ajab Gul is among the few who stand in the way of a total washout of Pashto cinema.

Gul has been part of the entertainment industry for over three decades. With mainstream projects such as Kyun Tum Se Itna Pyar Hai and Dukhtar, Fareb, Pathar and Girift under his belt, he has continually been one of Pashto cinema’s top stars. Talking to The Express Tribune, Gul said it is a misunderstanding that he is primarily a Pashto artist. “People think I have mostly done Pashto cinema but I have done as much Urdu films as Pashto. I don’t choose projects depending on the language, but the subject matter,” he said.

His latest outing is Shahzad Rafique’s upcoming movie, Salute. In the film based on Aitzaz Hasan, who, in 2014, sacrificed his life in preventing a suicide bomber from entering his school, Gul plays the boy’s father.

“A film is entrusted to us by the audience. We are hoping that they will like it and will learn from it. Rafique has put in a lot of heart and effort into it,” said Gul, when asked about his expectations from Salute. “We have worked hard to bring the real story of Aitzaz Hassan to the audience. I think we all should learn from his act of valour.”



On the same note, Gul believes all films must have a purpose. “They should entertain the audience, but also deliver a message.” This is why today’s film experiments do not sit well with him. While new film-makers are experimenting with cinema these days, Gul feels cinema is a place for “creation” instead. Questioned whether creation can exist without experimentation, Gul responded, “Look, creation needs creativity, which in turn, comes from sensitivity. Our films need to have a purpose, a meaning.”

Clearly not satisfied with the current state of regional cinema, Gul feels there is a lot that can and needs to be done. “We have a lot of stories we want to tell, but no one seems willing to invest these days. There are a lot of subjects we can’t talk about. This land, Pakistan, is full of rich subjects,” he stated. “If someone ever wanted to produce a film like My Name is Khan in Pakistan, they would not be allowed to do so.”

Whether he thinks the land of Pukhtuns will give the world more legendary artists, Gul confidently says, “This land has never been barren. It has given the world giants, from Dilip Kumar to Raj Kumar and Vinod Khanna. Our land does not lack in artists, actors and film-makers. I am sure there will be many more.”



Holding a natural predilection for acting, Gul has tried his hand at directing as well. Asked which field he prefers, he added, “Look, acting gave birth to Ajab Gul. Directing evolved from it, so I cannot choose. I would say the director Ajab Gul is the son of the actor Ajab Gul. I enjoy doing both.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2016.

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