We, actors, sometimes do characters our heart doesn't fully settle on: Fawad Khan

Actor Fawad Khan, who has worked in numerous Bollywood projects like Kapoor & Sons, Khoobsurat, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and more, still holds his memories close from across the border and feels utmost peace and comfort when his Indian fans appreciate him for his work.

In an interview with BBC Urdu for his recent offering, Money Back Guarantee, the actor had a message for his Indian fans who cannot watch his films in the cinemas yet again. “For my Indian fans, I am grateful for your love and for nurturing and praising my talent. I am very grateful and I have a lot of love for you all,” he said, smiling.

Khan added that he spent quite a lot of time with his fans and friends back in India and still holds the memories close. “Pre-2016, whatever time I spent in India with my fans and my friends, it is a memory that will live on with me forever. Even now, when you guys appreciate my work, mere dil ko sukoon milta hai (It fulfils my heart) and gives me comfort. And it puts a smile on my face. Thank you so much,” he exclaimed.

Discussing what he loves about acting, the Legend of Maula Jatt star pointed out two basic factors; self-validation and the “educational experience” that it brings. He shared that acting, when he’s honest with his craft and character, is the most rewarding experience of all.

“I will say this for myself and not others but as actors, sometimes there are characters that you don't feel like doing, that your heart does not settle on. So, you naturally don’t do it with all honesty. But what you do with utmost sincerity and you perform what is genuinely close to your heart, then there’s no bigger reward than that,” Khan said, while adding that monetary gains, fame and accomplishments are nothing compared to that satisfaction.

“Money, awards, all of them come short in front of that. As an actor, you are your best judge and I think you’re also your biggest audience. You play the biggest role in your career, boosting your self-confidence and I think every actor has experienced this once where they felt that a performance was the best they could’ve done. That’s the most beautiful thing about acting,” he revealed.

Moving on to his second reason to choose acting, Khan admitted that he loves the global exchange that comes with it. “You get to live experiences on the job. Your profession makes you travel the world and it exposes you to different cultures. Of course, it gets tiring but it is an educational experience as well.”

While Khan may be the favourite actor for many globally, the host questioned who his favourite actor, celebrity or personality is. “Who’s that one person, actor, celebrity, sportsman, or otherwise that you love?” asked the host. To which, the superstar exclaimed that “times have changed” and for him, it’s the script and not the star anymore.

“But if I have to choose one person based on their career graph then in my opinion, Tom Cruise is an actor who has never given a flop. I have heard it but I don’t know how true or false it is but that’s who I think has been smart with his choices,” he added.

“However, there have been a few films of his, maybe one or two, that weren’t as entertaining for me but it is also subjective. There are films that are flops but I like them. The language of the box office has made our industry very competitive, which although is a good thing, has also ruined the way films work.”

Upon his expectations from Faisal Quraishi’s star-studded project, Khan only said that he hopes the film lives up to its name. “Naam jaisa hai, Allah kare uska result bhi waisa ho. I hope the film is worth people’s money and they don’t come asking for a refund. The film is from the comedy genre but it is also an inside joke for the political conditions in the country. It’s a political satire and whatever you have seen in the trailer is a lie,” he concluded.

Money Back Guarantee stars Ayesha Omar, Mikaal Zulfiqar, Gohar Rasheed, Hina Dilpazeer, GJaved Sheikh, Kiran Malik, and Adnan Jafar, among others, alongside debut actors Wasim Akram, Shaniera Akram, Muniba Mazari and George Fulton. Released on Eidul Fitr on April 21, the film so far has mixed reviews, with some fans calling it a full-blown entertainer but others bashing it for not having a concrete storyline.

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