Daily Times

Adnan Malik has come a long way since his ‘Sadqay Tumhare’ days. He made his successful debut in film this year in the critically acclaimed family drama ‘Cake’. Acting and direction aside, making a film is next on his bucket list! I chatted with the 33-year old actor about absolutely everything! You would definitely not want to miss this interview.

What is your story?

It is a coming of age story.

What should we know about Adnan Malik?

I love the outdoors and want to ultimately live a life that is very connected to nature. I also believe that we all need to be more conscientious about how much we consume in the world. Our individual choices affect the balance of the world. We must live in balance. We should be aware of what eating meat does to our environment, what using plastic bags can do to the oceans; nature is not permanent! We should not take our mother earth for granted; we are abusing its resources at an alarming rate and it is unlikely that people will get to enjoy nature the same way we do now in the next 20 years.

The actor says he is someone who is fully committed to his work and would love to work elsewhere and bring that knowledge back to make the local industry better. “As long as it is a strong character and a great team, I would be happy to work anywhere”

Do you have any pet peeves?

I can’t stand people who are insensitive to others, especially those who are from a different socio-economic background. I also can’t stand misogynists, lying, dishonesty and being non-punctual. I have no room for such people in my life.

Cake was your debut film. Were you nervous when you started working on set for the first time?

Not at all – I think by the time you get to the first day of the shoot, you are very well prepared. I always take out time to prepare, study characters, rehearse, have my wardrobe sorted and start inhabiting the character in advance. Asim Abassi was also very keen on rehearsals! Plus the team was full of people who I consider close friends. Everyone was on a singular mission. I was excited to be on set! That being said, there is some nervousness of course. The big screen is much less forgiving than television, so you really have to be fully immersed in your character.

How was it like working with Aamina Sheikh and Sanam Saeed? Any set incidents you would like to share?

It was amazing working with them. I have done a few projects with them before. I directed Aamina in a music video (My Punjabi Love for You) and acted with Sanam as well. Both of them are so professional; Aamina is a force of nature and has very deep, earthy emotions, while Sanam is very professional in her craft. She is always well rehearsed and ready on her first take!

We were like a family together, on and off the camera and it was wonderful working with the like-minded people! Even Beo Aunty, Ahmed Sahab, Faris and Hira were great to work with! I learned a lot from them.

What factors will you consider if you were offered to do a film in any part of the world?

I’d love to work in other countries. It would be a pleasure. We have so much more to learn from the industries that have evolved over time. In Pakistan, I find people quite unprofessional about rehearsals, timings and their intentions of creating things. I am someone who is fully committed to my work and would love to work elsewhere and bring that knowledge back to make my industry better. As long as it is a strong character and a great team, I would be happy to work anywhere!

We are yet to see you in a new drama. Any plans of returning to the small screen?

I would be happy to do more television, especially since it is such an influential medium in Pakistan, but I want to be able to do specific and interesting roles. I can’t work on a typical sass-bahu drama or a clichéd rom-com. I’m interested in social issues and would love to work in a TV show that tackles issues of social justice. It also really depends on the writer and director of the show. I want to be a part of passionate projects, not run of the mill work!

Which role would you mostly likely want to play if a potential script comes your way?

Well, I loved the angry young man character I played in ‘Sadqay Tumhare’. It was really a classic hero’s journey! I would love to do action! I’m very sporty and outdoorsy so it will be great to incorporate that into my work. I also liked playing Romeo in ‘Cake’. I did a lot of research on that character; I hung out with Christian inmates in central jail and worked with Christian nurses. I love immersing myself in the world of my character.

Except acting, what are you passionate about?

Well, direction! I direct TV commercials for a living under my banner AMP. I love the visual medium and storytelling! My goal is to make a film soon, as a director. I think acting and directing inform each other well. I am passionate about both aspects of visual storytelling as well as photography and environment. I am also the WWF Goodwill Ambassador and I request everyone to STOP using plastics. That aside, I like traveling and outdoor adventures.

Do you think Pakistan’s film industry is inspired by Bollywood the most? Has the quality of intense filmmaking faded in recent years?

Let’s be honest. As a nation, we have grown up with Bollywood films. In the 80s and 90s it was pirated VHS tapes and DVDs in our homes. They were played on cable channels until their official release in cinemas in 2006 and onwards. So it is fine to take inspiration from Bollywood, because that is what people like and have developed a taste for.

However, I believe that we need to find our own cinematic voice that comes from our rich history of social drama. Films like Cake, Motorcycle Girl, Manto and Moor are unique films from Pakistan that are creating a new identity and shaping narratives. As a vibrant film industry, I think there is room for mainstream Bollywood derivative films and indigenous stories too.

Do you think fame dies down if an actor is on hiatus?

I guess it does. I haven’t ever thought about it because I don’t act for fame. I do it for personal therapy, really. But sure, if you aren’t in the public eye for long, people forget you.

How do you respond to fans when you meet them? Is there any rule that does not apply to them?

I enjoy meeting my fans, especially those who are moved by my work. You can see it in their eyes. Sometimes I find that fans can be very pushy and before you know it, they snap a selfie. I find that disrespectful. You cannot just take a photo without connecting first.

Are you a foodie? Do you have a sweet tooth?

I love food. I enjoy it, but with responsibility – and no, I don’t really have a sweet tooth but I don’t mind having a spoon of something sweet after a meal.

Do you like fashion? Which designer label do you like?

Yes, I enjoy fashion. I like working with Ahmed Bham in Pakistan. He has wonderful tailoring.

The writer is a model and an actor. He can be reached at haiderrifaat95@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, May 23^rd 2018.