I'm a Muslim, Pakistani actor and have to keep that in mind: Azfar Rehman

The 'Chhalawa' actor talks about wanting to work internationally

Azfar Rehman stars as the male in Wajahat Rauf's curiously titled upcoming rom-com Chhalawa. But, according to him, he also has to keep his Pakistani-Muslim identity in mind.

"I'm a Muslim, Pakistani actor, I have to keep that in mind." @OfficialyAzfar talks to @iharoonrashid about how he chooses his roles and transitioning from television to film. pic.twitter.com/zlOlQxQgaX

— BBC Asian Network (@bbcasiannetwork) May 22, 2019

According to the superstar, Chhalawa is about a boy working in an advertisement agency. "He has a great life. He is love with a girl and is a generally happy-go-lucky person but now there are some complications and now he has to win back his love. How he does it, that's what the film's about," Azfar revealed, in a recent interview with BBC Asian Network. 

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The actor also spoke about venturing into the world of films. "I was scared. It's a big big responsibility when you're doing a film as a main lead and a lot of criticism is to follow and a lot of people tell Mehwish Hayat and me, 'what have you done!"

Even though Azfar has starred in nearly 50 dramas on television, Chhalawa will be his debut on the big screen.

PHOTO: FILE

Speaking about his on-screen chemistry with the Load Wedding starlet, Azfar added, "Wajahat Rauf saw Punjab Nahi Jaungi and thought Mehwish and I had this great chemistry because we are friends in real life also. I was just not too keen. But then after two or three meetings with him on the storyline and listening to the music, I said, 'let's do it'."

Azfar's dream is to work internationally with different languages.

PHOTO: FILE

"I think that actually challenges you as an actor," he said.

While the actor wants to expand his skills elsewhere, he also explained that he felt a certain pressure from his fan base within Pakistan.  However, he still wants to remain true to his identity. "I'm a Muslim, Pakistani actor and I have to keep that in mind. I cannot be endorsing an idea in which I do not believe in."

Chhalawa will hit cinemas this Eidul Fitr.

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