Fahad Mustafa – Killing two birds with one stone

2018 proves to be a big year for the actor with ‘JPNA 2’ and ‘Load Wedding’ releasing on Eidul Azha

ISLAMABAD: The downfall of local cinema resulted in a generation gap between film stars. In an age where social media followers determine success, Fahad Mustafa is fast becoming a beaming light, if he wasn’t already. While he garnered critical acclaim following his film, Mah-e-Mir, his entertaining cinematic outings like the Na Maloom Afraad installments helped him secure a position in the industry.

There's no such thing as overexposure in showbiz, says Fahad Mustafa

Mustafa will be featuring in two of this year’s most anticipated films: Nadeem Baig’s sequel to Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (JPNA 2) alongside Humayun Saeed, Mawra Hocane and Vasay Chaudhry among others, and Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s Load Wedding opposite Mehwish Hayat. Talking to The Express Tribune, Fahad expressed sadness over wrapping up both films and divulged details on his forthcoming endeavours.

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“I don’t know what I’m going to do next, but it’s a feeling I get most of the times after I’ve completed a project. There was so much happening and all of a sudden, we completed both the films,” he said. “Although, I’m shooting ads and Jeeto Pakistan is going on, the process of film-making is something else and I miss it. I’ll be dubbing the two together now, so I’m excited for that, yet depressed.”

In terms of box office figures, Baig and Qureshi remain the most successful directors since 2014. Collaborating with the two modern-day maestros for films that not were only shot around the same time but also have a clashing release on Eidul Azha, Mustafa remained sincere to both. Speaking about the film-makers’ diverging visions and executions, Mustafa stated, “Both directors have a very different approach to their work. Both are equally passionate but they have their own takes on storytelling. One of them is very laid-back, while the other is really at it. I’m lucky I’ve gotten to do these films that come out at the same time with opposite looks and feel.”

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He continued, “Since I’m used to working with Nabeel, it was difficult initially to understand Nadeem’s dynamics but after I’d understood his style, it was loads of fun.” Singing praises for the Punjab Nahi Jaungi director, Mustafa stated, “I think I have another very good friend and a new addition to my life –Nadeem. He’s an ace director, everybody knows that, I don’t have to say it but now we’ve become buddies. We’ve spent a lot of time together and I feel we had more time in Dubai; we had lesser work compared to the spell in Istanbul, so we had time to chat and bond.”

It’s not only the approach that differs but Mustafa will also be essaying diametrically opposite characters. He credits Chaudhry for summing it for him. “Vasay says that you’ll see a ghareeb (poor) Fahad on a bike in Load Wedding and an ameer (affluent) Fahad driving a Mustang in JPNA 2,” he chuckles. Nonetheless, having shot the two simultaneously, one wonders what it took to get in and out of both his dispositions.

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“I have surprised myself this time, I won’t lie. People would tell me I was a very versatile actor with a wide range but I got to know it this time and it’s very true,” Mustafa quipped. Both the characters I’ve done are completely different from one another. I’m a director’s actor; whatever my craft may be, if the director isn’t communicative, I can’t do much,” he stated. “Nadeem and Nabeel had a very strong relationship with me, in terms of talking on set, and that actually helps a lot. I was doing complete spells for either, so as long as I’d be on one set, I was only doing that movie and playing that part.”

Mustafa added, “We shot the second spell for JPNA 2 after I’d majorly completed Load Wedding and it was different from the first spell. You’ll get to know how the film progresses; it’s like a different film altogether, so it wasn’t difficult going back into it. Though after coming back from Dubai, getting into some patch-work for Load Wedding was tough since I was getting into some intense scenes after comedy,” he revealed. “But I guess that’s what an actor is supposed to do; no complaints.”

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Fahad shares great camaraderie, on and off screen with his Load Wedding co-star, Mehwish Hayat and the two have collaborated on multiple assignments and campaigns. However, he’s working opposite his leading lady for JPNA 2, Hocane, years after the two starred in her first-ever serial. Speaking about his “unexpected” collaboration, he maintained, “I like actors who believe in their acting more than how they look and it was lots of fun with Mawra. I wasn’t expecting it from her.”

He added, “She’s a beautiful girl and she knows it but she focuses on her scenes more and what’s actually wanted from her. You enjoy sharing space with such actors because you feel like you’re talking to a real person on-camera,” he continued. “Why Mehwish is good on screen is also because she doesn’t care how she’s looking while performing and of course, why would anybody not want you to not look good in their project?”

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With increasing conversation surrounding women in cinema and their representation globally, one wonders whether the films have developed, female characterisation. “Load Wedding does, whereas people already know what the JPNA franchise is like,” Mustafa responded. “Of course, the women in the film are important, but at the end of the day, the boys will be on the poster. We’re making films; we’re not trying to give people their rights. We can’t be held responsible for everything. If you want to tell a story, tell it, without thinking if there is or isn’t equality in it.”

Of expectations and deliverance, he knows it in his bones that the films he’s chosen are meant to smash theatres. “JPNA 2 is going to be great fun, it’s an all-out comedy. It has great music, I’ve done two songs, and I’ve danced and had an absolute blast. My chemistry with Ahmad, Vasay and Humayun has been exquisite I tell you, I don’t think they felt somebody new had stepped into their clan and neither did I feel like an outsider.”

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Fahad Mustafa and Mehwish Hayat-starrer 'Load Wedding' to release on Eidul Azha

Mustafa promises audiences will walk out smiling after watching both films. “Load Wedding is a romantic-comedy on the other hand but there’s a very intense story that follows later in the film. There will be a very interesting blend for people, with very different flavours. None of them are serious films; you’ll be happy, smiling while walking out of both.”

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