It was the paycheck: Fawad Khan talks ‘Humsafar,’ shares that he refused the project twice

Actor discussed showbiz journey and earning cross-border acclaim and love

While Pakistan’s television and film industries have given us many stars, few can claim the full force of cosmic stardom in the age of social media that transcended borders and flourished despite political tensions. Leading this list of contemporary artists is no other than Fawad Khan, who impressed audiences right off the bat with his stellar debut in the 2007 film Khuda Kay Liye.

Gracing the couch on longtime friend and former band member Ahmed Ali Butt’s podcast for a candid interview, Fawad recalled his entry into the Pakistani media industry before social media. “In a time when social media and the internet were uncommon, I think your only escape from reality was music and film.” While fans of the small screen remember the actor’s dreamy hero from the 2010 series Humsafar or his boyish charm from the 2012 drama Zindagi Gulzar Hai despite essaying the arrogant and careless Zaroon, Fawad has flaunted many talents in showbiz.

“I don’t know if today’s generation can relate to that but at that time it was just imagination. You would listen to music and transport to a world,” the star shared before delving into his music journey. For the ones obsessed with the indie rock music scene in Pakistan, Fawad is perhaps equally, if not more, memorable as the lead singer of Entity Paradigm. Banding with Butt, now Coke Studio producer-mentor Xulfi, Salman Albert and Hassaan Khalid, EP’s debut album Irtiqa was critically acclaimed.

Remarking on the band’s brief dissolution in 2007 before it reassembled in 2010, Fawad reminisced fondly about the musical group’s trajectory. Calling Shor Macha “a wonderful rock song,” the celeb looked back at his departure from making music, clarifying that his decision wasn’t prompted by “creative differences.” “You know I’m not one to create controversies but EP’s breakup was a bit of an ugly breakup and it had its reasons but it’s in the past now,” Fawad replied with a smile.

Incidentally, he tied the knot with his wife Sadaf in 2005 during a time when neither music nor acting promised any stable future for the young artist. Between jobs, Fawad disclosed that his unpredictable circumstances did not hinder the two teenage sweethearts from marrying. The actor pondered over his father's adage and reflected on his decision. 

"My father used to say, your fate is tied to your wife and children," Fawad shared. "When you marry, God provides means for you. When you have children, those means grow." The celeb wondered about the truth of these words but clarified that this was not the reason behind his marriage. "I just didn't think twice. I just said, whatever is meant to happen, will happen."

The actor also unpacked his mixed sentiments about his hit drama series Humsafar, acknowledging it as pivotal in catapulting him to fame. When asked what made him say yes to the script, Fawad expressed how he wasn’t convinced by the project and declined twice, if not for one reason that ultimately enlisted him. “It was the paycheck,” he commented humorously.

“Humsafar has given me a lot and I think it mostly worked not because it's really a unique story. Many more stories like that were being told at that time. I think it was the combination of the people who did it…That's what made it somehow different,” Fawad added. “The song had a lot to play with it as well. What a song! It had a role to play in it.” The actor disclosed how he rejected the script at first because he found the story too generic and overdone. “When the script came, I kind of said no once, I said no twice, and the third [time], Momina is very persistent, and then... I was like, okay.”

Despite holding little love for it, Fawad relayed his appreciation for Humsafar and shared how he associated it with fond memories. Elaborating on his mixed sentiments for the drama, he commented, “It's like that scenario, you don't get to choose your parents and siblings in life.”

That said, Fawad maintains he has much to be grateful for, beginning with fate. A big milestone for the actor has been his success in charming fans across the border. Bagging a Bollywood debut in a high-profile project with Sonam Kapoor, however, Khoobsurat was more a leap of faith than strategic planning. “I gave a screen test…it happened because of Humsafar and Zindagi Gulzar Hai and again it was more of a why not,” Fawad mused.

The star further admitted, “I was not prepared for anything. I was winging it.” To aspiring actors hoping to get their big break, Fawad has a similar advice to dispense. “Always enjoy the process. If you enjoy the process, the product will shine. Or at least people will connect with that.” The actor contended that “good vibes translate,” and went on to articulate his growing reluctance towards “emotionally heavy stuff.”

For Fawad, it was partly this promise of good fun entertainment that made Khoobsurat an exciting endeavour. Fans can only wonder if a serious project in the future might sway the actor’s newly-disclosed stance. If true to his word, Fawad’s current project might see him take on a sombre role one last time. “I don't want to do emotionally heavy stuff. It takes a lot out of you and it's just...after a while it becomes irritating,” he confessed.

Recounting his acting stretch in India, Fawad revealed how he insisted on minimising the attention directed towards him in the media, an inclination that spelt nightmares for his PRs. “I had PRs and they used to get angry at this,” he said. “I was like, I need you to take out my name. Not put it in there.” He further unveiled his dislike for keeping an active online presence outside film promotion, declaring, “I don't want to show the world that I'm eating a fried egg or I'm enjoying the cold breeze on the beach,” Fawad explained.

Fawad disclosed how Sonam and Siddharth Malhotra, his costars from his two Bollywood projects, signed him up for X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram respectively. “My team operates those accounts. And I don't think I'm the kind of person who can handle it well. Like for me, it's difficult to handle even this attention,” he offered, clarifying his online presence.

While many celebrities harness the reach of social media to cultivate deeper interactions with fans, Fawad is adamant about maintaining a certain distance and unavailability. As per the A-lister, an adequate level of intrigue is crucial in sustaining star power whereas “24/7 availability” dilutes it.

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