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I'm not interested in Bollywood. I really don't have the time: Humayun Saeed

I'm not interested in Bollywood. I really don't have the time: Humayun Saeed

The actor-producer dishes on hit films and award streaks and how he's friends with everyone in showbiz
02 Jun, 2016

A sunlit alcove in the basement is testament to Humayun Saeed’s starry status, where myriad awards stand side-by-side. An impressive array of Lux Style Awards take up an entire shelf while clusters of ARY and Hum Awards begrudgingly rub shoulders.

Quite a few of these accolades are very recent, lauding Humayun’s considerable achievements from last year: the love-struck sulky hero of the film Bin Roye and actor-producer to the mega-comic-hit movie Jawani Phir Nahi Ani (JPNA).

There’s a good chance that more awards are on the way. Humayun’s drama productions have been raking high ratings and his ongoing acting role in TV drama Dillagi has reasserted his status as crush-fodder.

TV gets its hero back

Dillagi does have its fans,” Humayun concedes. “Viewership ratings are great and it’s getting a lot of attention on social media.”

Quite a bit of this attention, of course, is of the ‘female’ variety. This is nothing new for Humayun. He’s showbiz’s longstanding Lothario, linked very often with his leading heroines — rumours that he shrugs away with a laugh, proclaiming a commitment to his wife. He’s also always had a strong female fan following, although their numbers certainly have fluctuated in recent years.

Dillagi features Humayun opposite Mehwish Hayat
Dillagi features Humayun opposite Mehwish Hayat

“I had been very busy with production and Dillagi is the first drama that I have acted in the past four years,” he explains. “It’s the kind of role that I enjoy doing, subtle and romantic and it’s brought my fan following back in full force.”

He suits the role very well, looking fitter, more chiseled than ever. Is this a victory flush gained by box office success or is it simply by the virtue of cosmetic procedures? “I am yet to get any done,” he professes. “I have just been watching my weight and eating healthy, and it helps. I am not against artificial procedures but I am scared by some of the results I have seen on people. A slight overdose contorts their faces into strange expressions. I am worried that the same might happen to me.”

For these informal declarations and more, I meet Humayun Saeed. We sit in his elongated lounge, with its masculine wood-and-leather interior, collection of DVDs and a large projector screen taking center stage. This, incidentally, is the room where a lot of his work gets done. He’s relaxed right now, though, over tea and a perpetual stream of cigarettes — work ended a few hours ago at six in the morning. “Nadeem Baig, scriptwriter Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and I were up working on my upcoming romantic-comedy movie, Mein Punjab Nahi Jaongi, opposite Iman Ali. At the office we’re too busy with managerial issues while the creative work tends to get done at night in this room.”

This room is also a frequent venue for after-parties, the ‘it’ place thronged by stars and starlets following every high-fangled awards show and movie premiere. “My wife is spectacular at managing everything and after events, often friends come and bring their own friends,” he smiles. It’s an inevitable way of life for him for while the world at large may be combating rivalries, Humayun Saeed is somehow friends with everybody.

Awards and being Momina Duraid

“I’ve just been around for very long,” mulls Humayun. “I’ve worked with absolutely everybody and generally get along with people. In fact, I am the one who’s usually settling disputes. Two heroines who may not be able to stand each other will agree to pose for images as a favour to me.”

It is this affability that allows him not to take offence when his friend Ahmed Butt gives him a cheeky ‘Wife-time Achievement’ award on live TV, for the actor who is most accompanied by his wife. He also miraculously sidles past channel rivalries; delivering hit dramas for all and sundry, playing leading man for Hum Films, ruling the box office for ARY Films, taking to the catwalk at Bridal Couture Week and winning awards here, there and everywhere.

As showstopper with Mehwish Hayat for Nomi Ansari at PLBW 2016
As showstopper with Mehwish Hayat for Nomi Ansari at PLBW 2016

His JPNA, in fact, just raked in a whopping 18 awards at the ARY Film Awards. It prompted Karachi Se Lahore director Wajahat Rauf to make a thinly-veiled jibe at channel partisanship, commenting that Humayun was emulating a Momina Duraid, who often walks away with a large chunk of the awards given out by Hum TV, a channel owned by her family.

JPNA was an ARY movie but I don’t think there was any bias at the awards,” says Humayun. “The jury consisted of industry professionals and, as I told Wajahat, there was no other movie that deserved to win in all those categories.”

What are his views on the supposed bias within the Hum Awards, largely criticised for bestowing laurels upon their own in-house productions? “I don’t think there is anything wrong with that,” he says. “It’s an incomparable feeling to hold an award and it certainly generates recognition for an actor. The Hum Awards boost morale for their team which is great.”

Humayun Saeed charged up the crowd at the ARY Film Awards
Humayun Saeed charged up the crowd at the ARY Film Awards

Incidentally, at the Hum Awards this year, Humayun was given three trophies in a row: Best Male Actor for Bin Roye and JPNA, and Best Producer for JPNA. His career may be dotted by awards galore and yet, Humayun still got teary-eyed when on Hum’s stage. “I actually suddenly remembered something that my deceased mother had told me, ‘Mein marr bhi jaongi toh meri dua tumhare saath hogi’ (Even after I die, my prayer will always be with you). It made me emotional. I quickly turned away and regained my composure.”

How heroes cry

This, essentially, is how Humayun cries both in real and reel life. “I duck my head down and place my face in my hands and I do the same while I’m acting. Then, I’ll raise my head and let a single tear trickle down. Men do cry but they don’t have to overdo it, even on the screen,” he smirks.

Humayun believes that men shouldn't overdo crying
Humayun believes that men shouldn't overdo crying

His considerable knowledge of on-screen crying isn’t surprising, given his repertoire of sentimentally over-laden acting roles. In contrast, his latest role in the ongoing drama Dillagi is quite refreshing. His character is in love with a shrewish, vindictive Mehwish Hayat but despite constantly suffering, he refuses to turn on the waterworks! “He’s a strong character and it just wouldn’t do if he began bawling out loud. Instead, there is this controlled air of melancholy about him,” he describes.

The role works well but has it been accepted readily by the TV-watching masses, who are more accustomed to the evil husband inflicting torture upon a suffering do-gooder wife? “Perhaps they would have liked it better had it been that way,” he laughs. “It is being appreciated although I think audiences have taken their time in accepting Mehwish’s very strong female role. It’s a drama that has barely any crying, which makes it very different.”

‘Hit’ sense

Notwithstanding Dillagi, the dramatic productions under Humayun’s Six Sigma Plus banner are usually hits that follow formulaic patterns — tortured wife, evil in-laws, philandering husband, the works. Is it necessary to place such great focus on the afflicted, depressed women?

“We make a lot of dramas and we place great importance upon the story,” he explains. “It is never a priority to show women crying, but inevitably a lot of stories are like that.

“And there’s no denying that such dramas are hits. This, sadly, is the life that a lot of women in Pakistan live. They see the same happening to a woman on TV and they enjoy empathising with her. Eventually, there’s also a happy ending which makes them feel optimistic about their own lives. It’s a sad truth.”

Dillagi was an exception to the tear-jerking rule of Pakistani TV
Dillagi was an exception to the tear-jerking rule of Pakistani TV

One such tearjerker coming our way very soon is the dramatic version of Bin Roye. “There is so much crying in it and it’s very well-crafted. People are going to love it!” he laughs.

I remember Humayun making a very similar prediction to me last year, when his JPNA was just about to release. Does he have an uncanny ability to assess audience reaction? “I think I do,” he professes. “I am very awami and I am obsessed with cinema. Usually whatever I like, everyone else likes too.”

Is he able to make the same evaluations about the younger actors that he works with? “I see promise in quite a few of them although it is important that they achieve star status before they put on airs and graces,” he says.

“As a producer, I have seen how some actors suddenly hike up prices after a single hit drama. They begin coming late and making unfair demands. They need to be more professional. Also, it is necessary that when they are acting in Urdu, they stop thinking in English. Mahira Khan has improved a lot in that context.”

And has he considered working in Bollywood? He replies matter-of-factly, “I am just not interested. I have so much work here as an actor and producer, I really don’t have the time.”

With JPNA breaking box office records with an approximately Rs500 million revenue, it makes sense. Awami to the core, Humayun’s awam quite evidently loves him in return.


Originally published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, May 29th, 2016

Comments

AIZ Jun 02, 2016 03:00pm
Good very good......
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TanBhartiyaMay Jun 02, 2016 03:11pm
Who is interested in a single expression expert here? :P
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Fudayl Jun 02, 2016 03:16pm
Humayun Saeed rocks. I think the best is yet to come from him.
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سے Shaam Jun 02, 2016 03:19pm
Indians don't know him...Does he have an offer even?
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Global peace Jun 02, 2016 03:59pm
Noted .. good if u get offer and then refuse.
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indian dide Jun 02, 2016 04:01pm
Sir,Anurag Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee waiting for you.
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Aslam Shaikh Jun 02, 2016 04:05pm
No one care for you in Bollywood either
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democrat Jun 02, 2016 04:17pm
Grapes are sour. As if Bollywood is dying to have him. Wait for a couple of years and he would be found waiting outside Mahesh Bhatt office.
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IAB Jun 02, 2016 04:18pm
Need more Pakistan actors like him, on and off screen , as humans and as professionals !!!!
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joop Jun 02, 2016 04:30pm
there is no need to go to Bollywood even if you get time...stay here.... you can get better appreciation while working for your own homeland. you are the best actor....always love you and dil lagi is obviously a super hit....
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joker Jun 02, 2016 04:38pm
Work is work.Mr Saeed should not be disheartened on bollywood. Bollywood is an organised & professional environment. Getting less money & less coverage inside Pakistan is not bad.
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Adnan Jun 02, 2016 04:52pm
did he get a call? or is it case of sour grapes?
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Zak Jun 02, 2016 04:53pm
Hunahun Saeed , you are our hero. It's actors like you, who stay in pakistan to better it even more.
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aslam Shaikh Jun 02, 2016 05:31pm
he would never leave the enjoyment he is currently having in our industry.
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Jay Jun 02, 2016 05:42pm
Don't be like that. Bollywood is resting its hopes on you.
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shubs Jun 02, 2016 06:02pm
Damn, what is the Hindi film industry going to do now...?
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vikram Jun 02, 2016 06:15pm
Omg ! Omg! What is Bollywood going to do now! We thought he was our next Shahrukh khan ! Its all over for Bollywood now...NOT
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dawn Jun 02, 2016 06:16pm
Therefore Humayun Saeed you are my HERO!
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Bairooni Haath Jun 02, 2016 06:27pm
He will be singing Bollywood praises after he gets an offer.
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Faisal Jun 02, 2016 06:28pm
That's good for Bollywood and all viewers... I hope Humayun Saeed realizes that Bollywood is a completely different industry in a much higher league
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someone Jun 02, 2016 07:10pm
Thank you very much for sparing bollywood Sir. Could you please also advise your compatriot who are defying two nation theory and rush to India on a drop of a hat?
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Haris Jun 02, 2016 07:30pm
What will bollywood do now? Will be Interesting to see if that industry can survive without this guy.
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wiserneighbour Jun 02, 2016 07:41pm
We are already infested with many from your country.Please don't come.Thanking you in advance.
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Sarcastic Scoundrel Jun 02, 2016 07:57pm
Humayun Saeed said NO! ...... OMG!!!! Bollywood is doomed.
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Atif Jun 02, 2016 08:01pm
Humayun merely responded to a question on bollywood; yet the easily offendable Indians are predictably offended. If bollywood is really robust against any shock that Humayon's absence may cause, why are you lot bothering?
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CALCUTTA MAN Jun 02, 2016 08:15pm
@Atif Well, the headline made that "mere answer" the news peg. Or didn't you notice?
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Ahmed Jun 02, 2016 10:59pm
@wiserneighbour Just like we are infested with many from your country on this etribune. :)
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Ganga Mata Jun 02, 2016 11:51pm
@wiserneighbour. You guys should stick to your own newspapers and stop trolling.
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Pakistani Jun 03, 2016 01:56am
@joker don't worry he is a super star in pakistan, and never out of work
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Philosopher (from Japan) Jun 03, 2016 02:36am
They also don't have time to call you with your pathetic performance in Pakistani tv dramas n movies.
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Saira khan durrani Jun 03, 2016 02:58am
Ha ha ha ! Joke of the day!
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adnan Jun 03, 2016 03:40am
dont think u r fit for bollywood or film world..... ur a great tv guy ...so accepting the reality is better than faking an opt out...... u shudnt even try pakisani movies; as u almost destroyed ho mann jahan which mahira saved....
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Bhains wali Dimagh Jun 03, 2016 05:19am
Khattay angoor!!
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Sailani Jun 03, 2016 06:17am
For all you wise crackers, why is it that he has to go to India, in order for him to be an accomplished actor? He is already busy with his production company and his acting , which leaves him very little time for his family. Chill out guys!!!
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Rehan Jun 03, 2016 06:54am
That actually translates to- I don't have any offers from Bollywood
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Zak Jun 03, 2016 08:37am
@Aslam Shaikh Bollywood already offer, but he turn them down.
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Zak Jun 03, 2016 08:37am
@سے Shaam yes and he refused.
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Zak Jun 03, 2016 08:38am
@Global peace got several and refused.
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Zak Jun 03, 2016 08:39am
@vikram Long over for Bollywood, that's why they beg pakistani actors to come and save their industry.
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Asim Joiya Jun 03, 2016 09:24am
Hamaun Saeed is a very charming actor i really like him acting. we proud of such a pakistanies who can prefer do work in our home land country rather than that who want to go some where else.
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fayza Jun 03, 2016 09:20pm
@Atif So well said. I couldn't have said it better. It was a just a comment about going to Bollywood and nothing more but people here simply jump to conclusions without fully understanding the essence of the interviews or the articles published.
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Optimistic Pakistani Jun 03, 2016 11:11pm
We need people like you Humayun. You are a superstar in Pakistan and obviously if you are earning very good and famous in your own country what's the point of working in a 3rd grade movies in bollywood.
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Harry Jun 04, 2016 06:13am
@vikram lol.. you gave him a befitting reply.
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S. A. M. Jun 04, 2016 07:37pm
@Ganga Mata I would agree with you. I read Haaritz, New York Times, Washington post etc but found Dawn is the best. probably Indians would agree with me that Dawn could be rated as no 1 newspaper in subcontinent. please don't offended so easily on small matters. educated people learn to ignore even those things that are really offending because they know the value of time and that responding to nonsensical things is such a waste.
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wali Jun 05, 2016 10:58am
He has already made an indian movie jashann...
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Akshay Jun 05, 2016 03:39pm
As if Yash Raj, Karan Johar, Bhansali all r dying to cast him in their movie. LOL...
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