American Muslim Actor/Director Zuher Khan spoke to Daily Times about his recent successes and struggles.
Tell us something about your early life?
My early life started from Jamaica Queens going to elementary school, my mother making breakfast for me then sending me to school every morning along with my brother it was great fun after that I grew up started watching more Disney channel and started dating my first girlfriend was when I was in the 7th grade. After that I went to high school started loving the craft of film to such a degree that I was signed by my first talent manager Tobe Gibson and what a delight she was I loved her she was beautiful after she passed away I decided to produce my first film The 9-Time Award Winning Classic ‘3 Holes And Smoking Gun’ and am now producing the documentary feature film ‘The Hollywood Experience’
Zuher Khan started his career with the production ‘3 Holes And A Smoking Gun’ which went on to win Best Actor 2015 at the Winter Film Awards
What influenced you in the beginning of your career?
I have always enjoyed the work of Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Aamir Khan, Shah Ruhk Khan and Salman Khan
What were the difficulties that you faced during your work?
To be honest, the struggle every artist faces is to be accepted I am very glad that my life and career have worked out just fine. I am grateful to my country The United States for all of the awards, acclaim and prestige.
Tell us who your favourite stars are.
The film stars John Schneider known for his amazing award winning portrayal in the ‘Dukes of Hazard’ and ‘Smallville’. William Sadler is known for his roles in ‘Iron Man 3’ and ‘The Shawshank Redemption’. Disney stars such as Jennifer Stone and Hutch Dano — three time Bafta Nominee, Troy Baker, Quinton Aaron who starred in the ‘BlindSide’ which grossed over $350 Million world-wide, April Billingsley who was most recently cast in ‘American Made’ starring Tom Cruise, Terry Notary known for his portrayal in films such as ‘Avatar’, ‘Kong: Skull Island’ and ‘Rise Of the Planet of the apes’, Glenn Morshower known for his outstanding performance in ‘Transformers’ and hit TV series ‘24 ‘and several other amazing stars including Marc John Jeffries, Kyle T. Heffner, Max Decker, Karissa Lee Staples and Andre Gower.
Tell us something about your future plans.
I am involved in several projects in the pipeline at the current and I am really looking forward to producing them after I find success in yet again my next motion picture.
Any message you would like to give to your fans?
The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place… and I don´t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain’t about how hard you hit… It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward… how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That´s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you worth, go out and get what you worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointing fingers saying: You ain´t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain´t you! You´re better than that.
Zuher Khan started his career with the production ‘3 Holes And A Smoking Gun’ which went on to win Best Actor 2015 at the Winter Film Awards, Best U.S Narrative Feature Film 2014 , Laughlin International Film Festival, Grand Jury Prize and Best Actor 2014 , Red Dirt International Film Festival, Independent Spirit Award 2015, Garden State Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles, Best Actor In a Supporting Role 2015, Recognition of Dramatic Excellence Buffalo Niagara Film Festival and Best Supporting Actor 2015 Cinerockom International Film Festival.
Published in Daily Times, April 10th 2018.