Throwback: When Junaid Jamshed wanted to be a 'big-screen' actor

The late icon in an interview from 1997 is seen reflecting on his then decade long career and aspirations

Junaid Jamshed is an icon in every sense of the word. Be it for the heartthrob pop-star he was in the 90s, the evangelist he came to be known later on and most of all the person beneath it all, Junaid will continue to be remembered in Pakistan – and possibly all over the world, for ages to come. It's been four years since his untimely death in 2016 however his memory continues to grow stronger with fans scavenging the internet for the Dil Dil Pakistan hit-maker's heartfelt moments from the past.

Recently an interview of his from 1997 has started to make waves on the internet. Recorded during his US tour a few years into his solo music career, the interview sees the then 33-year-old artist touch upon various topics ranging from how his band Vital Sign reached to exemplary heights and his own aspirations at the time.

Speaking about Vital Signs' initial stardom, Junaid maintained that the members including him were all initially aimless as far the musical direction was concerned. "The first time we did Dil Dil Pakistan was in August 1987. It's going to be 10 years. It was a great experience all throughout, though initially, we had no idea where we were headed. We just played music that came to us. Before we did Dil Dil Pakistan we used to play cover tunes by Western bands. But once we did this album and the way it was received, it sort of gave us an idea where to go and the rest was history," he said.

Elaborating on the future of his music, the confident yet humble Junaid exclaimed that he was yearning for a catalyst that could push him into a 'totally different direction'. "I have done about five albums now. CIrcumstances and relationships play a big part in how you mould your music. Right now I need something that could propel me in a direction that is totally different from what we are doing. Though I would like to believe that even with all the new artists coming in my country, the music that I make would still have a niche in society," he said.

Interestingly the singer also revealed his desire to become an actor on the 'big screen'. "I am working on a film which is a small diversion from what I have been doing. I have been doing music for the last ten years now. It only recently that I realised that I always wanted to act. I always wanted to be a big screen artist. Next time when I want to come here (US) I want to come with something unseen totally different," he said.

Adding on the Na Tu Ayegee singer said," It's a big step I am going to take. I don't know. It's like jumping into deep water. It could turn out good for me or maybe it could fire back as a bad idea."

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