Toss Up: Adnan Malik

We play a game of quirky questions with one of Pakistan’s finest actors, a national heartthrob and a talented director! Learn more about his likes and his life — caution: this superstar also has an amazing sense of humour, sure to leave you in splits!

Which commercial did you have the most fun producing and why?

I’d say it’s a tie between the world cup anthem I did with the Justin Bibi’s for Coca Cola and Cornetto’s short film, Love Is In The Air. The former because it was a spur of the moment idea I got after seeing their video online and it instantly became viral. It was amazing shooting a street music video in the old city of Lahore with its home-grown artists. The latter because Cornetto pretty much let me write and direct a short, coming of age film that I really believed in. It gave me the confidence to work with narrative and was a stepping-stone for me to direct a feature film!

Who is your favourite Pakistani singer?

That’s a tough call! Runa Laila was so melodious, and of course, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan sahib was mesmerising, as is Abida Parveen jee. Also Reshma – what a crooner!

Out of all the characters that you have played, whom can you relate to the most?

Sikander from Dil Banjaara — he’s basically me five years ago. He is a passionate visualist, a commitment phobe, and someone who loves adventure and travel. The first thing I did to prepare for his character was buy the cologne Acqua Di Gio, as that’s what I used to wear back in the day. I think it instantly took me back in time!



List three things you can’t travel without:

1) Well, strangely, ear plugs! I wear them on flights now to drown out the sounds of crying babies, as well as strange, unexpected soundscapes of new places.

2) A pair of sneakers, so that I can go for a hike or play a sport or just go adventuring wherever I am.

3) A book. Even if I don’t read it, I like having it on my bedside wherever I am!

Who is your favourite co-star?

I’ve enjoyed working with all my co-stars. I have learnt different things from Mahira Khan, Sanam Saeed and Mira Sethi. Mahira acts from the soul, Sanam has excellent craft and Mira, a very strong will.

If you were stuck in an elevator with someone dead or alive, who would you want it to be and why?

There are so many people to learn from, and getting stuck in an elevator with anyone of them would be amazing. At this point I would probably say a filmmaker like Martin Scorcese or an entrepreneur like Elon Musk! I would just ask questions and sponge all the information.

What is the strangest thing you’ve eaten?

I’ve eaten some strange things over the years! But I think it was when I visited a restaurant named Carnivore in Nairobi about a decade ago that I ate a whole variety of animals without really knowing what’s what! Had strange dreams that night…

What is the best present you have ever received and from who?

I think it has to be my cat Mila! I’ve always loved animals, but living in an apartment in Karachi and traveling a lot, I was always afraid of committing to keeping a pet. But a few years ago, one of my closest friends Munizeh Sanai, brought over this beautiful, kind, playful, puffball as a birthday present to me, and Mila has enriched my life ever since!



Do you have any pet names?

Adu, AduTheKadu, Smoother, Danu, Addie, Edner…everybody kind of makes one up as they get to know me.

What is the weirdest dare you have ever accepted?

I feel like acting in a role like Khalil in Sadqay Tumhare was a massive dare that I gave to myself! I don’t know what possessed me to do it, but it was scary and pretty much took over my life and emotions for a year!

If you could have only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Sounds like torture! Actually, I do have the same breakfast almost everyday: a cottage (or other kind of) cheese, sausage and tomato omelette with bajray ki roti, homemade yoghurt and granola, fresh veggie juice, lemon water and an iced coffee. It’s such a solid start to the day!

What is the longest you’ve gone without sleep?

I’m super cranky if I don’t get sleep – to the point where I become dysfunctional. That being said, maybe 36 hours…

Who was your first crush?

My mother has saved a lot of my childhood drawings and writings, and recently gave me this love letter I wrote to this American girl Annette Martin when I was in the 2nd grade! Passionate little guy I was.