Khaled Anam is an asset to Pakistan in ways I cannot describe. Apart from being an exceptional actor, singer and producer, he is incredibly humble and compassionate. He received the Presidential Pride of Performance award this year and currently stars in ‘Zan Mureed’ opposite Nadia Khan. In an exclusive interview to Daily Times, he talks about theater, his love for Pakistan’s children and the media.
What is unique about Khaled Anam?
I am very blunt and adaptable. I try to be helpful to people. The thought of a depressed young person is a killer for me. I cannot see a young man, women, boy or a girl depressed. I feel like reaching out to them and telling them that there is more to life. If you do not succeed, you have to change and opt for another way. There is always a new way. If one road is blocked, take the dirty road. Go through the waters and never give up.
Tell me a bit about your heritage and family.
My father was in the British army. He was an engineer from South India madras. From my maternal side, I am from Sialkot, Kashmir. I am the youngest of my siblings and was born and raised in Karachi. No one in my family is in the industry as such. Everybody is musically inclined. My mother used to sing at Radio Pakistan back in the days. I was the only one in my family who played the instruments and was fortunate to have the happiest childhood.
When did you discover your drive for acting and producing?
Back in the early 80s, I played my guitar and sang at a very young age in school. Every once in a while, my friends would sit together and we would sing along. I later met Yasmeen Ismail who became a very good friend of mine. She was my first theater teacher.
She came up to me and said that she was doing a theater play and wanted me to compose the music for it. The play was ‘Mug Nog Kids’, which was an English adaptation of a German play. The next day, I was inducted and that is how I got into showbiz. Theater is my first love but I transitioned onto television. I embarked on my first play with Shahzad Khaleel while continuing theater.
Prior to acting, what were your struggles as a novice in the field?
I never got to struggle as such. By nature, I am a very laid back person. I hardly go after things. I am a firm believer of fate. If something is meant to be, it will happen. I never waited in lines or auditioned for anything. I never told anyone I wanted to act. Yes, in terms of understanding work, I composed the music for many plays. I was awarded with the Goethe Merit Award for my contributions in theater. I have created roughly three thousand songs, two albums and written a children’s book.
What did you learn from your training as an actor?
With regard to theater, I would say acting. It teaches you patience and understanding of human beings. It taught me a lot about other people and peaceful co-existence. Theater makes you very disciplined. If you are disciplined in life, you can become a good actor. For standout production, you need a good DOP and cameraman, as Lawrence Olivier says. As far as film goes, it is a director’s medium. Theater has taught me many things; patience and perseverance and how much we act in our everyday life.
Tell me about your latest television ventures.
Lately, I have started working. Two of my projects are on air; one is the critically acclaimed serial with Nadia Khan titled Zan Mureed and the other is a sitcom for AAJ TV. There is another sitcom that will premiere very soon on BOL TV. I did go on a sabbatical as I was teaching at a university. For three years, I was off air. I have never been a regular on television as I handpick the roles I want to play. I believe television has never been challenging for me. Yes, I would do theater anytime, anywhere for a cause.
Who would you like to repeat history with on screen?
I don’t know much about television but I would like to recreate theater with the people I have worked with; Kamal Ahmed Rizvi, Ahmed Ali sahab, Jamshed Ansari, Shehnaz Sheikh, Marina Khan, Behroze Sabzwari and many others.
There are many new actors in the field today. Who would you like to see more frequently on screen?
I am very hopeful about the new lot. They are educated and come from good family backgrounds. There is Omair Rana, Faizan Khawaja and Noor Hasan who are good actors. There are so many youngsters to name. The thing is, our production is weak. We have a coalmine full of diamonds but there are no miners to polish them. There is no system intact for anyone who wants to act be wherever he or she wants to be. If we get the system going, things will be easier.
Looking back on your days, how has acting evolved in Pakistan?
Technologically, the trade has evolved nicely. When you get into mass production, the quality suffers by default. I have seen many characters that resemble each other in different plays. They simply look like themselves, which is not acting. One has to understand the difference between an actor and a celebrity. The added value to acting has also gown down tremendously.
Is it true that actors are given roles based on their physical appearance?
Physical appearance makes quite a difference. If there is story of a fat man, I will fit the bill. If there is a story of a handsome, young man, they will take you. Television is vision. If someone fits the bill visually, it matters. For that reason alone we have casting directors. As an industry, we are still in our embryonic stage. However, there are people who made stars work accordingly by changing their appearance. There are many instances such as Amir Khan and Johnny Depp.
What are your thoughts on the political climate in Pakistan and the role of print media in addressing social issues?
We are not an educated country as people have started to watch more television than read newspapers. The print and electronic media can do better and they should do better. Every channel has its own political party for which they are paid. It is a completely biased political scenario as far as channels are concerned.
In terms of entertainment, I believe that HUM TV is doing a good job. Being a television woman and producer herself, Sultana Siddiqui has a team of competent people. She does not compromise on quality.
What do you hope to accomplish soon?
I want to open a regular, free of cost academy for street children. I do have a plan in mind. I hope to share it with the Government and Ministry of Education. I want theater and music to be a regular part of the curriculum. Nobody is paying any attention to the future of Pakistan; the children of this country.
Published in Daily Times, June 1st 2018.