For me looks don't matter; character does: Imran Ashraf

The actor reminded us all why he is one of the best actors in Pakistan today

Actor Imran Ashraf has established himself as one of the leading men in Pakistani entertainment, especially for his outstanding performance as the differently-abled Bhola in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi.

However, his success has come with a price. The budding star opened up about his struggles in the industry and why he believes that the looks of a character don't matter, in an interview with BBC Asian Network.

"For me, looks don't matter. The character does. I think every actor should think in the same way," Ashraf told journalist Haroon Rashid.

PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB

While the actor's highly-coveted role in Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, alongside Iqra Aziz earned him rave reviews, it wasn't his first groundbreaking performance.

Known for playing controversial characters, it's imperative to point out that Ashraf also played a transgender in the 2017 drama Alif Allah Aur Insaan.

Asked if he was afraid the audience would never see him as a hero if he keeps playing such roles, he said, "Firstly, I have a lot of faith in God. Secondly, I have a question for you. In a house where there are four young children, their father, however he may look, however he may be, he's their hero, isn't he?" Ashraf explained. "There's a hero in every story."

PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB

Rashid also pointed out how Ashraf is redefining masculinity in Pakistan. But the latter says he is just "doing art." He replied, "In art, there is no need for six-packs, deep eyes, pretty hair. I'm just trying to do pure art."

This statement poses a question: if Ashraf made such remarks five years ago, would people have accepted him? To this, his stance was to let everyone laugh at his art.

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"For 10 years, people have laughed at me. For eight years, I tolerated people's jokes. These were the words I heard but I had belief," the star revealed of his struggles to stardom. "I was going to do this. I kept asking God for help. I kept working hard and look!"

PHOTO: SCREEN GRAB

As for script writing and whether there are enough local roles to stimulate him as an actor, Ashraf confessed that after Alif Allah Aur Insaan and Ranjha Ranjha Kardi, there was a turning point.

"See, when I put lipstick on and when I became a woman, when I stood in front of the mirror for the first time, even I was like, 'What are you doing man'?" he recalled. "But then I told myself, 'Imran, what you want to do is only going to happen after some difficulties'."

Ashraf added that he can get into the character of Bhola within seconds now. "And I can be Imran Ashraf in seconds. It's my practice."

Watch the full interview:



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