Why Zaviyar Ejaz is the next big thing in Pakistani showbiz

Emerging as a young romantic stud, the actor is on the radar with his moustache and stoic acting

KARACHI:

The first time fans and critics paid any heed to veteran actor Naumaan Ejaz's son, Zaviyar Ejaz, was almost a year ago when the father-son duo walked the ramp of the 18^th Bridal Couture Week (BCW). Zaviyar grabbed eyeballs for his unavoidable moustache, sharp jawline and uncanny resemblance to his father.

But what many didn't anticipate then was how this was Naumaan's way of introducing his firstborn to the world of glitz and glamour. A year later, Zaviyar has forayed – rather prominently – into the Pakistani showbiz with two star-studded projects airing simultaneously.

The ‘star kid’ is making waves with his portrayal of Hikmat in Saifee Hassan's social drama Sang-e-Mah and as Mehran in Ahsan Khan and Mawra Hocane-starrer, Qissa Meherbano Ka. The youngster appears seemingly ready to be branded as the next big thing in the Pakistani entertainment industry and The Express Tribune managed to catch him for a candid chat.

Right before walking the red carpet of his then, yet-to-release drama serial, Sang-e-Mah, Zaviyar asked, "You can tell by the grin on my face that I am pumped about this, right?" Clad in a grey turtleneck and a dark suit, he added, "This is a huge show for me. Working under the guidance of Saifee Hassan, with so many brilliant actors; it truly feels like a blessing."

Hard work or dumb luck

Zaviyar is among a numbered few to have gotten himself roped in with the big guns of the industry. Sang-e-Mah is a star-studded project and Zaviyar has taken the opportunity to learn from some of the best. "There's Sania Saeed, Samiya Mumtaz, Naumaan Ijaz, Kubra Khan, Atif Aslam, Hania Aamir! It's penned by Mustafa Afridi and is about such an important topic. It doesn't get bigger than this,” he acknowledges.

Was he nervous about getting to work with his father in a project? "Absolutely," But did he let his nerves get the best of him? "I am just a bundle of nerves at this point. But I feel extremely ecstatic as well to be spending all this time with him, learning so much from him when it comes to perfecting the craft. It's a different ballgame altogether."

Asked if he ever received some special treatment because of his father, Zaviyar chuckled and retorted, "Oh, no… When my father walks on a set, he is an actor. I am just someone who is working with him, I'm his co-star. He treated me the same way he treated the rest of his peers. Whenever he'd step out of his vanity, we’ll know it's all business. There is no preferential treatment. We are all just actors."

But the elephant in the room had to be addressed. Was Zaviyar landing these big-budgeted shows due mainly to his father's decades-long career? "You know, it's funny," he smiled at this point. "I don't think that's the case. I am his son but I am also a person on my own. I have a responsibility to follow in my father's footsteps and I won't lie, those are some pretty big shoes to fill."

Tale of courtships and romance

Naumaan Ejaz is known for holding an aura of power with his walk, expressions, dialogue delivery – all boxes ticked for a remarkable reel experience. While we cannot compare Zaviyar’s initial acting prowess to that of his father’s, it seems like he is already marking his territory on certain flagship roles for himself.

Emerging as a young romantic stud, Zaviyar’s initial performances see him courting women. His first as Mehran, a shy, caring and flirty character is convincingly delivering his unrequited love for Mehrbano (Mawra Hocane). The ongoing serial sees a growth in his character from chasing her love to accepting rejection. A key deliverable for viewers to relate to is his emotional arc and as a beginner, Zaviyar managed to make people feel for his character. His expressions are promising and his body language evolves with his journey.

On the other hand, Zaviyar as Hikmat is bubbly, courageous and mad-in-love with Gul Meena (Hania Aamir) despite the years of rivalry between his family and hers. In the three episodes that have aired so far, Hikmat has displayed a range of emotions from fear to wrath to love and bravery. Zaviyar’s acting is not only convincing but thought-provoking and well-researched too.

A photogenic Marxist

The first post on Zaviyar’s Instagram is a serious picture of him in a black tuxedo and rounded glasses, flaunting his ancestral moustache. It is a hearty sight but what catches our attention is his caption. Quoting Karl Marx, he writes, “Reason has always existed but not always in a reasonable form.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Zaviyar Ejaz (@znejaz)

From the select pictures on his gram, one can tell Zaviyar is a fan of leather jackets, blue suits, and quotes from famous people. Maybe he’s an avid reader? But Zaviyar likes to make a few memes too, and he, himself is the butt of all his jokes. Referring to his character in Qissa Meherbano Ka, Zaviyar shares a picture sporting a turtle neck and writes, “From Mehran to Civic real quick.” Boy, do we adore a man who can laugh at himself!

Another post that offers a glimpse into his fun-loving mind is the one where he stands in front of a staircase decorated with his father’s photographs staring right at him. Humorous and quick-witted, he captions this one, “[I] got the big man always watching.”

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Zaviyar Ejaz (@znejaz)

And with the big man always watching as Zaviyar continues to impress onscreen, let’s just say this one has the potential to become the next big thing.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.