Actors need to evolve according to market demands: Sana Fakhar

A new set of audiences made the actor reinvent herself for her big screen comeback

LAHORE:

A popular name in showbiz, Sana Fakhar has retained her relevance with her extensive choice of work and the time she has spent on the big screen. After the Lahore film industry crumbled, she made a name for herself in modelling and television. Although several other actors hit the screen at the same time as her, not all of them managed to become permanent residents.

However, Fakhar’s passion for films kept her headstrong through the ups and downs of the industry over the years. “My priority was always quality work and I’ve worked hard my whole life to maintain that. This is the reason I am still here,” she told The Express Tribune.

Fakhar has signed yet another film titled Nikah. She will be essaying the leading lady opposite an emerging actor. The Waqas Ahmad directorial is scheduled to hit floors soon. Sahir Ali Bagga has been roped in to compose the music. The remaining cast includes Babar Ali, Javed Sheikh and Emaan Ahmad among others and the film is expected to be shot in Thailand and different parts of Europe.

Speaking about her upcoming venture, Fakhar shared her hopes associated with it, while also expressing her disappointment towards some silver screen projects which have been made in the recent past and her struggles as an artist. “There needs to be a variety in our films because we have all kinds of viewers. Variety needs to exist in both the films being produced and the roles that an actor can perform. The problem with our industry is that because of the redundant roles, our actors are not challenged and so their scope of acting becomes redundant.”

The Wrong No. 2 star emphasized the need for original and meaningful content. “Our film stakeholders need to understand the demands of the current time because there is a serious need for original content. Our social issues need to be showcased in our movies because that is what society demands,” she stated. “I believe in dedication, honesty, punctuality and commitment to my work and this is the reason I have always fished for relevant roles. Sometimes I got them and sometimes I didn’t but neither stopped me from fishing.”

Speaking about how she landed a role in Nikah, Fakhar mentioned, “I am currently engaged in shoots for four films and was recently shortlisted for the lead role in Nikah. I am fortunate to have worked in serials like O Rangreza, Saibaan, Baydardi and Babban Khala ki Betiyan. They allowed me to play diverse characters and reimburse the fact that I am capable of more than typically redundant and done-to-death roles.”

Nikah is being touted as a family film and Fakhar remains confident that the audiences will like it. “This film has given me hope that in due time, I will be seen in a decent and well-scripted movie. Although there is no parameter of judging whether a film will be successful at such an early stage, I feel the public will like it if we perform our roles well. A film is always a team effort and its success is based on the entire crew.”

Conveying her concern towards the current situation of cinemas and the revenues generated from films, Fakhar feels they are at the risk of being ghosted. “The current time demands numbers and people like me could be criticised for demanding quality. However, such critics are also vulnerable because there is a serious shortage of films that are being produced. Film stakeholders want films to be produced without caring about their failure or success to meet their needs,” she stated.

The Alif Allah Aur Insan actor revealed she has to bring several changes to her acting, keeping in mind the demands of today’s viewers. “In the last seven years, I never disappeared from the screen and the nature of my work has altered throughout, depending on the requirements of the viewers. It’s like my old self died along the way and that’s good because there was always rebirth. Actors need to evolve according to market demands,” Fakhar concluded.

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