I play a high-spirited, Punjabi kuri in Kaaf Kangana: Ayesha Omar

Actor's character in Khalilur Rehman film bears similarities to her real life persona

KARACHI: Ayesha Omar has always had a strong penchant for acting. While TV is her forte and without doubt her claim to fame, she has portrayed her big screen prowess in films such as Karachi Se Lahore and Yalghaar. Fresh off her recent hosting stint in Pepsi Battle of the Bands, Omar is now excited for the release of her upcoming Khalilur Rehman Qamar venture, Kaaf Kangana.

The cross-border romance comprises a star-studded cast of Omar, Sami Khan, Eshal Fayyaz, Asif Raza Mir, Sajid Hasan, Khursheed Shahid, Shamim Hilali, Saba Faisal and Qavi Khan. Vasay Chaudhry and Ahmad Ali Butt will be seen in cameo roles. Kaaf Kangana initially came in the spotlight because of its casting. It all started with Sohai Ali Abro being replaced by Urwa Hocane, with the latter eventually losing the leading lady’s role to Fayyaz.

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Talking to The Express Tribune, Omar revealed how she became a part of the film. “One day I got a random call from Khalil sahab. He said ‘Meri film karogi (Will you star in my film?)’.There are some people in life who you can’t say no to and he’s one of them. I said yes without asking a single question about what my character was going to be.”

As Omar signed the project without any hesitation, Qamar asked her which designer she would want to make her wardrobe for the film. “Khalid sahab then told me his wife was designing the actors’ outfits. When I reached the film set, my clothes were ready and the outfit she made for me really suited my character,” the starlet added. Omar’s bubbly personality seems to have fit in just right with the character. “I play a high-spirited, Punjabi kuri (girl) Gulnaz from Lahore. She is fearless and feisty; someone who lives her life to the fullest. She falls in love with Sami Khan who resides in her neighbourhood. Gulnaz belongs to an upper-middle class family and lives with her grandfather in Lahore. The film is extensively shot in androon (interior) Lahore.”

PHOTO: PUBLICITY

Hailing from the Walled City herself, it wasn’t tough for Omar to get the dialect and expressions for Kaaf Kangana right. “The film has a patriotic aspect to it too. There are two parallel tracks in the film. I play the Pakistani girl while Eshal is essaying an Indian girl.” Being a true believer of ‘content is king’, Omer is confident the film will perform well at the box office. “The audience will see a good film made with a lot of hard work and whole-heartedly.”

Mahira Khan or Ayesha Omar: Battle of the unconventional sari

She continued, “I’m really glad I took up Kaaf Kangana. It is a great achievement indeed to work with an institution like Khalil Sahab. I was offered a couple of drama serials written by him earlier but I couldn’t take them up due to date issues. All is well that ends well and I’m happy I’m doing a wholesome film with him now.” Stating Qamar brings out the best in her as a performer, Omar mentioned, “He has the reputation of being strict at times, but that is all part and parcel of the job. We have a mutual understanding.” Kaaf Kangana is slated to release early 2019.

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