Saife Hassan on why negative characters intrigue him more than heroes

Director Saife Hassan recently spoke at length about his craft in an interview, discussing the characters that interest him, his approach to scripts and the relationship between a writer’s vision and a director’s interpretation.

Asked what repeatedly draws him to grey and negative roles, Hassan explained his perspective on the appeal of playing characters who do not fit conventional ideas of heroism.

"Positive roles often become monotonous because they are written within rigid social boundaries. Negative or grey characters give an actor the freedom to explore complex human emotions, unpredictable motives, and psychological depth; that is where real acting happens," he said.

Hassan’s interest in morally complicated characters goes beyond their behaviour, extending to the reasons behind it. Asked which such character he would want to meet in real life, he said:

"I’m naturally drawn to characters who challenge conventional morality, individuals who operate on their own twisted logic. Meeting a character like that in real life would be fascinating simply to understand the psychological triggers behind their actions," he said.

The discussion also turned to what catches Hassan’s attention when he reads a script. "It’s the authenticity of the characters and whether the narrative offers something genuine to say about society," he said, adding that he looks for organic character development rather than manufactured melodrama.

Hassan was also asked about the evolution of Pakistani television and the reasons behind the growing reach of its dramas. "Our dramas have expanded far beyond regional boundaries because human emotions are universal. While production quality and scale have evolved significantly over the years, the heart of Pakistani television remains rooted in strong, character-driven storytelling," he said.

On the relationship between a writer and director, Hassan described how he sees the two roles working together. "The writer creates the blueprint, but the director breathes life into it. A good director doesn’t alter the writer’s core message; they enhance it visually and emotionally to translate text into compelling visual storytelling," he said.

When asked about the project he would most like to direct, Hassan singled out the biographical format. "Directing a biography is a dream project because real lives carry a layer of truth that pure fiction can rarely match. Documenting a real person’s journey, their triumphs, flaws, and impact allows you to create a lasting historical piece," he said.

Hassan also reflected on his relationship with storytelling before he entered theatre and television. "I was a dramaybaaz since childhood; storytelling and performance were inherently in my nature long before I formally entered theatre or television," he said.

He also had advice for people hoping to build careers in the entertainment industry. "Don’t pursue this field just for fame or glamour. Dedicate yourself to the craft, do theatre, learn how to lose yourself in a character, and stay patient; mastery takes time," he said.

Hassan is currently applying that approach to Aap Ki Izzat, his latest directorial venture. Written by novelist Umera Ahmed, the family drama stars Ahsan Khan, Urwa Hocane and Sania Saeed, alongside Saif Ali Khan.