Hania Aamir is the only one with 'star potential' after Mahira Khan, says Fahad Mustafa

Star opened up on working with Hania, why he's tired of awards, and his involvement in a massive song

Ace actor and Pakistan's beloved superstar Fahad Mustafa recently graced The Shoaib Akhtar Show 2.0, wherein he sat with the cricketing legend to reveal numerous insights. When a question was posed to him about three female actors from the current generation he'd like to do a film with, Fahad named Hania Aamir thrice. 

He shared, "Because I think, after Mahira (Khan), if there is anyone with star potential, it is Hania." He added, "She's very hardworking, and very good at heart also. I don't believe in this the same anymore, I used to think a good actor is also a good person. I don't believe in it anymore, I've not seen it in recent times. Talent doesn't see good or bad, talent is on its own. You can't be in denial of that...But Hania is a very rare combination. She's very good at heart also, and a very effortless actor."

Shoaib asked the star if he had worked with Hania yet, to which Fahad said, "I haven't yet, I've been telling her for many years to grow up a bit, and then we'll do it. Now she's grown up, so we will." Shoaib asked, "So you were waiting for her to grow up?" Fahad replied, "Yes, I felt she was quite young." Shoaib went on to call her a "cute type" and asked Fahad whether he and Hania were working on something together. "We are doing something together. I don't kiss and tell. I think once it's done and out, then you talk about it. But yes, we are about to do something." Shoaib probed further, asking if Hania will be starring in Fahad's upcoming December release. "Maybe," said Fahad with a coy smile. 

The star was also queried about how he felt about being up against Fawad Khan for Best Actor. At first, Fahad posed a question in return, saying, "Am I?" Shoaib then went on to sing praises of the two and their feats in the films for which they were being applauded, namely Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad and The Legend of Maula Jatt. When asked about this competition making headlines, Fahad said, "I think the media just wants to run news. Neither Fawad must be thinking about this, nor am I. The time is no longer the same. Awards don't have that kind of credibility as such anymore. We don't think about this that much. Happiness comes from appreciation - people appreciate his films and mine. How many films are even made in this country?" 

Shoaib interjected here jokingly, saying "Do you believe in reward?" Fawad answered hesitantly, "Sure, I mean awards, I think maybe I'm past that awards age. It used to feel good at one point, I received many and was quite happy. But I am saddened by how the next crop of actors doesn't feel that way. I feel like the lounge furniture should be pointed towards something. Whether it's the TV or something, anything else you know? You look forward or up to something. I think it's a lost cause now." 

The star added, "I've had my fair share of award ceremonies also. The excitement towards them. Voting and all that. So you know, been there, won, lost, everything. Now, there's no such thing...I just don't want to be a part of any race anymore. I want to enjoy my work myself, and I've always done that. I've always picked stuff that I liked. I was never worried about what people would think - they were my choices, in the first place. Some were right, some were wrong. I can't be dictated, where people say we like this so you must do this." 

Fahad also revealed an exciting detail about Kaifi Khalil's massive hit, Kahani Suno. He shared, "Before Kahani Suno was a hit, (the song) [was brought] to my office. Many heard it and were dismissive of it. They said, 'What are you taking, why are you taking it? I said, 'This will be big.' But then it became so big that even I hadn't imagined it. It became a massive song."

When asked about how he works extensively with the likes of Mehwish Hayat and Mahira Khan, Fahad responded, "The biggest thing is that they understand the process, they're disciplined people. They love acting, which is the biggest thing. Like, I've done about five to six films with Nabeel (Qureshi). I feel there are far more talented people in this country. But why we end up working together is because we understand the importance of the story of the film." 

He continued, "It's not an individual thing, where if I've done a film, I should be everywhere - batting, balling, fielding. Your work, in the end, is storytelling. When you connect with someone there, it's fun. It's a collective process. These people, whether it's Mehwish or Mahira, despite being such huge stars, they connect on a story level. They bring their own value without forcing themselves...Since they're stars, they're not insecure." 

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