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I refused movie offers from Mahesh Bhatt: Fahad Mustafa

I refused movie offers from Mahesh Bhatt: Fahad Mustafa

The actor gets candid about item numbers, Botox and the prospect of working in Bollywood
Updated 09 Nov, 2015

When they say 'Jack of all trades, master of none', they obviously weren't thinking about Fahad Mustafa.

Mustafa seems to be on a ride that only goes up; he's been lauded for his television performances, broken records with his role in the blockbuster Na Maloom Afraad and no one can charge up a crowd like he does on Jeeto Pakistan.

Javed Shaikh, Fahad Mustafa and Mohsin Abbas Haider in a scene from Na Maloom Afraad —Courtesy photo
Javed Shaikh, Fahad Mustafa and Mohsin Abbas Haider in a scene from Na Maloom Afraad —Courtesy photo

Talking to Images, the 32-year-old actor opens up about future aspirations, item numbers, Botox and whether he'll still be a game show host five years down the line.

What do you prefer – acting or hosting?

Fahad Mustafa (FM): Well, I like both obviously! Acting is something I enjoy whereas hosting has become a way of earning so a healthy mix of both works for a happy life. However, if I am being honest, I do prefer acting

Do you think getting into the acting field is easy and is it a stable, sustainable career? Would you recommend aspiring artists to pursue this line of work?

*FM: * It's been 12 years, so I think I have done a good job sustaining my career. With any given field, you have to take your work seriously and the reward will follow.

We hear you're making a movie yourself. Can you tell us more about it?

FM: i am making two films next year: Band Toh Ab Bajay Ga, which will be directed by Anjum Shahzad and written by Yasir Hussain and it's going to be the first movie we'll produce under the Big Bang banner.

Mustafa will be seen in Mah e Meer next, alongside Iman Ali and Sanam Saeed, among others.  —Photo courtesy: Mah e Meer Official Facebook page
Mustafa will be seen in Mah e Meer next, alongside Iman Ali and Sanam Saeed, among others. —Photo courtesy: Mah e Meer Official Facebook page

I'm also working on a movie with ARY Digital, written by Ali Imran. That one is still in the very initial stages so we haven't decided on a director yet, but both fall under the genre of comedy or rom-coms.

Read: Band Toh Ab Bajay Ga: Anjum Shehzad to direct Fahad Mustafa's first film production

Do you ever see yourself stepping into the director's shoes?

FM: No, I don't think I'll ever direct in my life. My motto is 'never say never' but I personally don't think it's for me. I have my own way of doing things and I admit that I'm lazy. I just wouldn't feel right commanding people and telling them what to do so for now, I don't see it happening. There are so many good directors out there so I think I'll let them do their job.

Do you think an item number is essential for a movie to do well?

FM: No, not particularly. I think it depends – there could be an item number in the movie and it may be harmless but it's definitely not necessary! It's up to the director at the end of the day – it's his call to decide if the movie needs it.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Will you still be a game show host then?

FM: I'm not a host! Jeeto Pakistan became a bigger success than I ever could have imagined, but I don't know if I'll be doing any other game shows. What I do know for sure is that I'll be making movies, producing movies and I'll be acting.

The aim is to only do projects that are close to my heart, that I love. I don't want to be acting in everything that comes up my way!

Hosting the biggest game show in the history of Pakistan hasn't gotten to Mustafa's head! —Photo courtesy: Fahad Mustafa Official Facebook page
Hosting the biggest game show in the history of Pakistan hasn't gotten to Mustafa's head! —Photo courtesy: Fahad Mustafa Official Facebook page

Where do you see Pakistani cinema in five years?

FM: Flourishing, getting even bigger. I believe this is just the beginning and I feel different genres will help the revival. The same kind of cinema can't survive for too long.

Getting personal

Describe yourself in three words.

FM: Comfortable, honest and happy.

What's your favorite cuisine/restaurant in Karachi?

*FM: * I'm a real homebody, so I prefer eating at home! It doesn't even matter what I'm eating; if I'm at home, I'll eat whatever there is. I'll even go pick up food and bring it back to eat in the comfort of my abode.

Many male artists opt to get cosmetic surgery/enhancements such as Botox or facelifts. What are your thoughts on it?

FM: I think you should age with grace, the way you are meant to. If you are 40 or 50, you should look it, there's nothing wrong with it! if you want to look good, lead a healthy lifestyle, work out and you should be fine.

Comments

Lahore Nov 09, 2015 02:02pm
Anybody now days claims that they get roles from India and they declined it...i don't buy it!
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Faraz Nov 09, 2015 02:18pm
Fahad you have one amazing work. We are so proud of you. Make Pakistan proud. From a fan in Lahore.
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Sabiha Nov 09, 2015 02:35pm
@Lahore If it is not true, then other party should contradict and say that we never offered. After all medis goes to other party for their version
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Khadim Almani Nov 09, 2015 04:33pm
best of luck to you Fahad Mustafa
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Ehsan Nov 09, 2015 07:53pm
Shoot for Hollywood, that's what the world watches.
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Masood Haider Nov 10, 2015 02:34am
Fahad is a great actor but he has sold himself out by hosting, the lurid, tasteless, exploitative and hugely degrading to the participants show 'Jeeto Pakistan'. The show is a great example of the low levels of conduct to which people can stoop when lured by the prospect of earning a little money.
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Abdul Karim Nov 10, 2015 05:03am
Another marketing tactic! Fail
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Bitter Truth Nov 10, 2015 05:13am
Of course you did!
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silajit Nov 10, 2015 05:49am
Yep, I agree. Those grapes are sour.
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Khalid Nov 10, 2015 08:54am
@Ehsan Shoot for Hollywood?. I am not sure what world you live in. World watches Bollywood. Do you even know the numbers??. I guess boasting about refusing would have looked much more impressive if the show was not such a big success. When your tummy if full, you can say all this. Why don't we (Pakistanis) have humility?. Did he really have to mention refusing Mahesh Bhat?.
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Kalhoro Nov 10, 2015 09:07am
His father is a bigger artist but he does not have commercial looks may be that is why he did not excell as Fahad. Acting is in his blood. Wish to see father and son in same project.
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Bikram Thappa Nov 10, 2015 09:43am
@Sabiha Happy Diwali
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USAF Nov 10, 2015 10:46am
good luck faadi bhai.... you are doing a good job in your program, you looking is so nice.
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Donna Nov 11, 2015 11:08am
@Lahore It can be true when the offer was from mahesh bhatt. U cant hav a good start from him...just a stupid story with extreme vulgarity...
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Ahmed Nov 12, 2015 09:43pm
@KHALID, I had the same thought. I am here in Istanbul, and even though Pakistanis are loved here but Indians are more than welcomed, they are looked from a different perspective nowadays. We should not deny that Bollywood is an amazing film industry (although films produced arent that great),
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