Gulsher from 'Alpha Bravo Charlie' recalls fond memories of TV and more
Colonel (R) Qasim Shah has been a craze and inspirational icon for the youth of Pakistan since his first appearance in the Army-centric TV serial Sunehray Din presented in the early 90s by the PTV. His second project titled Alpha Bravo Charlie exalted his celebrity stature to a lofty pedestal and enviable zenith of fame.
The simplicity and innocence of Shah’s characters in both the plays, and his sense of humour and witty expressions in real life have won him a great circle of fans and friends. Although he did not act in a proper play after that, his charismatic presence has been and will be an indivisible part of most of the TV shows, award ceremonies, national and patriotic festivities and events, and, above all, social welfare activities and programmes. As he was in the town this week, he spoke to The Express Tribune about Alpha Bravo Charlie and better TV days.
Muttahir Ahmed Khan (MAK): How did you make your way to showbiz or performing arts? Do you belong to a family that already had any tinge of such fields and areas?
Qasim Shah (QS): I didn’t have even a remote or distant relative associated with TV or media or other such types of fields. It was by chance that I became a celebrity even after joining a disciplined and tough profession and institution. It is a pleasing fact that my affiliation with the army paved the way for my career as a celebrity. Actually, my off (leave) was banned as a punishment and I was amongst a few cadets who were present in the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, when all others were enjoying their vacations.
MAK: Were you expecting your fame and recognition as a pure performing artist or considering your role in Sunehray Din as an occasional and pleasant episode in life?
QS: I am thankful to the Almighty for blessing me with the fame and love of the people. As I was selected by Mr Shoaib, I wished to do my best and worked hard, but I never thought of being popular as an actor neither I could expect that overwhelming response from the masses to whatever I demonstrated. It was just fun and like an occasional affair that provided me joy and artistic exercise. I must mention, here, that although I got recognition as an artist after being a part of Sunehray Din, it was, in fact, Alpha Bravo Charlie that made me a celebrity and drama icon. I never thought of the next artistic prospect after the first project.
MAK: What was special in the name “Gulsher” because it was repeated in both the projects?
QS: It was decided by Mr Shoaib. He was quite conscious of and particular about the names of the characters and the way they sound when pronounced. He did not change the names of Faraz and some other characters, but chose Gulsher for me because it sounded good.
MAK: Alpha Bravo Charlie changed your life to a great extent. Did you ever think of switching over your profession or trying your luck in the arenas of entertainment media, showbiz and modelling?
QS: I am proud to be a soldier and I love to be revered as a soldier. Moreover, it is my affiliation with army that paved the way for my entry into celebrity camp. Besides, I did not receive too many offers for films, dramas or modelling ventures. So far as morning shows, talk shows and other national and patriotic events are concerned, you will see me there at regular intervals. If I get offers, now, after retirement, I will definitely decide on the basis of scripts, the prescribed roles and the scopes of the projects.
MAK: There were other officers as well as artists who played leading and major roles in Alpha Bravo Charlie. What was special in your performance that made you more popular and beloved amongst the masses?
QS: The Almighty has decided the destiny of every person and the sources and series of events automatically steer you to your achievements or ultimate destination. I do not think I did anything of extraordinary significance, it may be people’s love for me or my simplicity and natural and amateur acting that won me fan following. People often pleasantly talk about my comic scene with Shahnaz when I took her to dinner at a five-star hotel with a meagre amount in my pocket that is hardly sufficient to pay the bill.
MAK: You were young, smart and, above all, an army officer when the Alpha Bravo Charlie was produced and it raised your persona further to an Olympian height and swaying glamour. Did you get a lot of phone calls from the opposite sex, offers for love affairs or marriage proposals?
QS: Yes, I was surrounded by an aura of glamour and deification, but that was an era of landline telephones and that, too, was with limited access and availability. Moreover, I was a thorough gentleman and a bit shy by nature due to hailing from a conventional middle-class family. Besides, I got married just after the completion of shooting and before the serial’s going on air.
MAK: You worked with a galaxy of seasoned and skilled producers, directors and crew members. Are you happy with the criteria and worth of the plays and films and other entertainment programmes being produced these days?
QS: Actually, the whole scenario has changed to a great extent during last three decades and commercialisation and monetary success have taken over the driving seat of socio-entertainment activities. So, critics are quite right to say that the quality of the entertainment programs and, especially, literary and artistic adventures are declining day by day.
It is an open secret that the procedural and production quality has been enhanced with the support of unprecedented revolution of technology and cost-effective equipment. But, the issue is that didactic element has declined to a great extent and the current entertainment produce is deviating from the path of social reforms and development. Now, the focus is only on quantity because the media is closely associated with money and commercialism and has improved a lot in these areas. During PTV era, the artists were thoroughly professional and the stress was laid on the quality and spirit of the art and monetary benefits were considered as a byproduct.
MAK: You have visited so many countries in life. Which country is your most favourite one in the world?
QS: Alhamdulillah, I have been to so many countries and observed their culture, social fabrics and governing systems from very close quarters. Actually, you will find various positive and progressive characteristics and features amongst the people of nearly every nation and civilisation. Same is the case with their socio-political structure and governing systems. I like all the countries I have visited for so many reasons, but the most favourite one for me is my own motherland because the Almighty has blessed her with the rocky and lofty chains of mountains, highly rich coastal areas, treasures of the fertile plains, sparkling sheets of the warm deserts and, above all, a choir of melodiously flowing rivers and canals.
MAK: People say you are a food lover and famous for dining out with friends. What type of dishes and cuisines do you like most?
QS: Yes, I am. You better know that because you usually accompany me whenever I am here in Karachi and visit diverse food points and eateries. As I travel a lot within as well as out of the country, I enjoy the food of various areas and regions of Pakistan
MAK: Being an experienced army officer and a celebrity, would you please like to convey any message to or advise our youth?
QS: My first and foremost advice to the contemporary generation is that they must have dreams in their lives and honestly and devotedly struggle to realise those dreams. These days, our youngsters urge to go abroad and get settled there after acquiring immigration. I advise them to build their future in Pakistan because Pakistan needs them and we all need Pakistan. If we work hard with sincerity and dedication, here, in Pakistan, we will accomplish the future of not only our families, but of the whole society and nation also. Alhamdulillah, we, as a nation, have the potential to make impossible tasks possible with our motivational spirit.
The interviewer is an author, educationist and analyst, can be reached at muttahir_khan@hotmail.com