A hero for the common man

If any male heartthrob is enjoying his moment in the sun, it is Fahad Mustafa. Fresh off the success of the hit TV serial Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, Fahad has stolen the hearts of drama fans – both old and new – as the witty, bike-riding, loveable Mustafa.

As any television fan will know by now, the show explores the burgeoning relationship between a happy-go-lucky gamer (Mustafa) and a young book-loving woman fresh out of university (Sharjeena, played by Hania Aamir) – neither of whom ever imagined they would end up together. Having both starred in and produced the simple but spellbinding drama, Fahad sat down for a heart-to-heart with Bollywood Hungama to tell us the nitty gritty elements that make up the perfect serial.

It's not easy

"I'm so relieved now that the pressure is off," began Fahad. As one of Pakistan's highest-paid actors who started out in television but has been focusing on films for the past ten years, Fahad explained that the stress of presenting a new episode before eagle-eyed audiences every week was unchartered territory.

"With a film, you kind of get over everything really quickly," he explained. "This was 34 episodes where everyone is talking about it! It's like releasing a movie every week. This was my TV comeback after 10 or 11 years – I just wanted my reputation to remain intact!"

Having taken on the daunting task of donning on the producer's hat as well as giving himself a starring role, Fahad is unsure whether that reputation can survive a similar workload in future.

"I've never produced something in which I've also been acting myself," he confessed. "The best producers are the ones who aren't acting themselves. It was a difficult journey, and I've realised I should not be a part of any of my productions!"

A drama for everybody

Being the seasoned actor that he, is Fahad could have picked up any action-oriented script – but he knew this tale was a winner from the start with something in it for everybody.

"I wanted a typical 'drawing room drama' for the whole family to enjoy," he explained. "I wanted something that would be a comfortable watch for everybody. Gen Z, older people, millennials, boys, girls – I brought people back to TV when they wouldn't ordinarily have been an audience of a show like this."

As part of cultivating a 'drawing room drama' in this bid to win over fans far and wide, Fahad knew that the language and the set would have to be relatable to audiences across the board. And for that to work, he knew he had to work with a modern actor who understood the nuances involved in delivering a raw performance. Enter Hania Aamir.

Memorable characters

"It's important to learn new ways of acting. Hania and I have done a lot of commercials together, and we tried to give a natural performance," explained Fahad. "The way we shot our scenes, they were very raw, very realistic. Because to connect with an audience at home, your language has to be simple. In normal families, conversations are normal and get resolved very soon. So that is what we wanted to pick up on. Hania and I reacted to one another, and it was fun working with her."

Fahad is convinced that a key factor in the widespread appeal of the drama is having a keen sense of what the audience wants in the first place – which was one reason Karachi-based band AUR was brought onto the project. "AUR the band were going viral at the time, so it's not just about talent, but popular talent," stressed Fahad. "The kids who don't watch dramas – how do you keep them engaged? I knew I had to cater to youngsters. We tried to keep them engaged through social media and memes, and they responded to it."

As much as fans adored his character, Fahad stressed that Mustafa is not based on just one person. "He is an amalgamation of three or four people," explained the star. "He's good at heart, witty, charming, honest – you can't find all these qualities in one person. He was kind of like Chandler from Friends. Even at the worst of times, he could find a line to make people smile." Pausing for thought, Fahad added critically, "I think maybe he could have been a bit more fit. Maybe he should have ditched the bike a bit and walked more."

Fahad's other takeaway from the show is wanting to emulate the man who played his on-screen father, Javed Sheikh. "The way he played the character was commendable," he recalled. "Later in my life, I want to be like him."

Unique details

Fit or unfit, the one thing Fahad takes pride in is the ability to connect with his viewers wherever he is. "I look like a common man," he insisted. "People think if I can be a hero, they can, too! Maybe that's why they connected. But the story is Sharjeena's, you know. Not mine."

Whether the story is Sharjeena's or Mustafa's, Fahad took pains to never preach their message. "People automatically pick up on little nuances, like Sharjeena wearing my shirt," noted Fahad sagely. "When they notice those little details, it gives you a sense of satisfaction that you've done something right."

Not only did Sharjeena wear Mustafa's clothes, she also shared a hug with him in what Fahad hails as a first for Pakistan. "A hug on Pakistani TV is a no-no. This is the first drama where we got the green signal from the censor board, and I think it was so pure and beautiful."

Fahad credits the success of the show for shooting it in chronological order and watching it unfold along with the audience. "We shot it when the drama was already on air. We had seen the journey of the characters together," he revealed. "That momentum is really helpful, because you exactly know what sentiment will hit the audience – which is why that last scene is my favourite."

Fahad's final cherry-on-top little nugget of wisdom is to leave your viewers on a high. "I think when you reach a point where people want more – that is the right time to end it," he reflected. "Trust me, if I had included everything that people suggested, not everyone would have liked it."

Now that he has left viewers hungry for more, fans can't wait to see what's next. Whatever it is, the pressure is on.