Prioritise the industry over yourself'

Nayyer Ejaz on what's holding local showbiz back

You might recognise him for his spine-chilling villains on the big screen or the antagonists he has masterfully played on the small screen. Whichever is the case, Nayyer Ejaz has been a notable face in the entertainment industry since the 1980s. So it doesn't come as a surprise that his wisdom as a seasoned actor runs deep.

During an interview on the podcast Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, the Taxali Gate actor shared his insights on the future of Pakistani cinema. "It's never the job of an independent individual. For instance, if you have a handful of friends, those people tend to believe that the industry belongs only to a handful of people. So only that amount of people will be working, but this won't help the industry thrive," Ejaz noted.

The 55-year-old actor believes that when artists work to expand the industry, the numbers show up. "If, say, we have ten additional minds on board then the industry will begin to flourish," he added.

"But every man deems himself 'super-class'. He does not even think about progress. Think about the industry, man!" he urged

Ejaz recalled an example from the life of legendary actor Raj Kapoor, who held sway at an international level due to his commitment to his native industry. "While he was in Russia, he carried the reels of his film over his shoulders himself and screened it for free. All so that people would familiarise themselves with it, and so his industry could become a massive business at the global scale. And today, it is just that. Look at how far they have progressed," Ejaz observed.

He does not see the same level of passion within his own industry. In Ejaz's experience, once an actor becomes a superstar, he begins slacking off. This individual would arrive late to set and wrap up filming within a few hours, not once paying heed to the designed schedule.

Ejaz feels that it is fair and reasonable to get one's due out of a project but not at the cost of the industry at large. "Get to work on time and make the process easier for yourself and your peers, so that your film can become successful. But no one thinks this way," he lamented.

The problem, the Piyari Bittu actor understands, is that even though there are professionals designated to specific tasks, individuals tend to micromanage the project by prioritising their own interests. He believes that it is imperative for artists to rid themselves of this pride and work towards ensuring that the entertainment industry becomes a place brimming with opportunities.

Speaking on his own work ethic, Ejaz later said, "My principle is to arrive at the location with the purpose of working, which is what I'm there for. So I don't try to create a fuss. I build a good environment around myself, focus on my craft, and bid farewell. Neither can I sit with self-important and excessively greedy people nor do I think there's any importance to that. I limit myself to my work."

However, he also stressed on the significance of maintaining professionalism while working. "I don't bad-mouth anyone. I don't gossip. I mind my own business," he concisely summarised.