I’ve never made a wrong decision in my life: Shahroz Sabzwari

Actor talks about dealing with flak that comes his way more than usual

KARACHI:

This might be an unpopular parallel but on a closer glance Yasir Hussain and Shahroz Sabzwari seem like two sides of the same coin.

While Yasir is lauded for his work as a theatre and TV actor, not a day goes by when he is not called out for saying something offensive or inappropriate. Similarly, Shahroz doesn’t miss a chance to be in the limelight for uttering something controversial either, yet, the hate he receives for it doesn’t affect the sky-rocketing ratings of his drama serials.

Of course, he is a Sabzwari and Yasir wasn’t born in a household of performers. But both of them ended up marrying in the industry. Shahroz, twice.

So when one of them brings the other in the crosshair, it becomes difficult for the increasingly divided audience to decide who to bash and who to side with. But Shahroz seems to have developed a thicker skin over the years as a recent hot take by Yasir only ‘convinced him to work harder’.

In a recent interview on a local TV channel, Yasir was asked to name an actor who should’ve stayed on television instead of venturing into films, to which he responded, “Shahroz Sabzwari.” When The Express Tribune reached out to Shahroz for his comment on the matter he explained in detail why the army of critics has only helped him develop an armour overtime.

“I think everyone has their own opinion and I respect Yasir’s,” Shahroz told The Express Tribune. “I respect everyone’s opinions, whether it comes from someone in my family or a random person on the street. No one has been subjected to flak the way I have.”

Still taken aback a little, Shahroz sighed, “And he’s [Yasir’s]... I know him. So if that is what he thinks, then that’s fine by me.” It is pertinent to mention here that Yasir’s is just the latest in the various kinds of criticism Shahroz has been subjected to recently. Ranging from allegations of nepotism, to being called out for sub-par acting skills and ‘wrong’ personal decisions, Shahroz has had it all.

“Nowadays, people say so many things and many of us take them to the heart. We need to be stronger. We have to nurture ourselves and filter out the bashing that comes our way. If you don’t filter it out, you will lose,” Shahroz said.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Shahroz Sabzwari (@shahrozsabzwari)

“I own all my characters and my films. One of them [Chain Aye Na] was a dead flop, but I own it. I think everyone should do that too. A bad film or a character that doesn’t work for you, should never define your potential. An actor is only done when he tells himself in the mirror that he is done,” he elaborated further.

Asked if he thinks he made the right choices with his films and if there could be some weight in Hussain’s opinion, Shahroz responded saying, “Me? I’ve never made a wrong decision in my life. Before taking on anything I say Bismillah and I give it my best.”

“But again, Yasir is entitled to his opinion and if you ask me mine, I will say that I respect all the actors around me,” added Shahroz. “Even someone who plays a minor role is significant to me because when the camera is rolling, even saying ‘Assalamualaikum, kesay hain ap’ becomes a task.”

Speaking about his ongoing television serial Nand, which has received its fair share of praise and disapproval for its ‘misogynistic’ undertones, Shahroz said, “The ratings for Nand are off the charts. Every hour we are touching a million more views. So if my fans are watching me, why should I care about anyone else’s opinions?”

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