My state of mind is sad: Shaan

Lollywood’s leading man Shaan hates his gut, loves his country and relates to Charles Darwin.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A perfect Pakistan.

What is your greatest fear?

The present situation in the country.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Smoking.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Hypocrisy and people not speaking up for their rights.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Cars.

What is your current state of mind?

Sad.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Fortitude.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

My gut.

Which living person do you most despise?

No one.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty and the desire to work hard.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Intellect and finesse.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Pakistan first.

When and where were you happiest?

I’m still waiting for that moment.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Being a better guitarist.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I would be punctual.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Connecting with the masses through my films.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

Myself.

Where would you most like to live?

Pakistan.

What is your most treasured possession?

Nothing.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Defeatism.

If you didn’t do your current job, what would you choose to do?

I’d be a lawyer.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Perseverance.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Superman.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Charles Darwin.

Who are your heroes in real life?

No one.

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to change the political situation of our country.

What’s your favourite quote?

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.”

How many hours of loadshedding did you experience yesterday?

Four hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2010.