Mani reveals Aamir Liaquat Hussain wanted to play his character in 'Money Back Guarantee'

Actor plays Gaffar Ali, a Karachiite, who prefers to be called ‘G.A. Muhajir’ in the film

Host and actor Salman Saqib Sheikh, popularly known as Mani, has made a space for himself on television and film screens with his comic performances. The actor was most recently seen playing a comic role in the star-studded Faisal Quraishi ensemble film Money Back Guarantee (MBG).

In an interview with a local media channel for the promotions of MBG, Mani — who plays Gaffar Ali, a Karachiite, who prefers to be called ‘G.A. Muhajir’ — revealed more about his role and recalled how he discussed it with the late televangelist Aamir Liaquat Hussain before his passing. In response, Hussain had not only lauded the concept and his character but also said he would love to play it.  

“My character is G.A. Mahajir, representing the Karachiites. Faisal Qureshi offered it to me before anyone else. The character was developed in front of me, so was the script. And I didn’t think it would translate into an actual film. But it did,” shared Mani. “When everything got finalized, I got a call that this is happening and we need to do this. Our producer disappeared, and Faisal found Shayan [Khan].” Khan both produced and acted in MBG.

“But one of the people I’m going to miss a lot while watching this film is Aamir Liaquat sahab,” he added. “Because when I told him I’m doing this film and this role he instantly said, ‘Ye tou mujhe karna tha yaar! (I wanted to do this!)”

Mani went on to share that Hussain even played a part in The Donkey King 2, which halted. “You do know that he lent his voice to the second Donkey King? He’s done a voice over in it, so has Hira. That film has stalled, I think. But I’ll miss him a lot watching MBG because our friendship was like this; he had told me he would certainly watch it and wanted Faisal to cast him too.”

Speaking about the massive impact Hussain had on the entertainment industry, Mani recalled how “all these Ramazan shows you see, he started this trend. He was the one to introduce these formats here.”

MBG, a political satire, released worldwide on April 21, 2023. The film has received positive to mixed reviews with praise for Fawad Khan’s performance.

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