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In conversation with Pakistan's new jori #1: Diyar-e-Dil's Osman Khalid Butt & Maya Ali

In conversation with Pakistan's new jori #1: Diyar-e-Dil's Osman Khalid Butt & Maya Ali

Yesterday's finale cemented their characters Wali and Faarah's position as the 'It' couple on Pakistani TV
Updated 28 Oct, 2015

Screen chemistry is difficult to define; a strange, elusive equation that defies logic.

Some actors create magic on screen when they may be nothing more than casual acquaintances when the camera stops rolling. The opposite is also true: some couples may be in a relationship but can never quite project the intensity on the screen.

While many actors share a good rapport, there are some couples that audiences just can't get enough of. The drama serial Humsafar is a great case in point where the screen chemistry between Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan as Asher and Khirad kept the entire country enthralled. Imran Abbas and Sanam Jung are another popular couple that keeps the drawing the crowds in serials like Dil-e-Muzter and their latest hit Alvida .

Hum TV's latest super hit serial Diyar-e-Dil has been trending on Twitter and the biggest reason is the equally super hit jori of Osman Khalid Butt and Maya Ali as Wali and Faarah. These two are old favourites, wowing viewers with their first pairing in Aik Naeey Cinderella and then winning hearts on both sides of the border with their spectacular screen chemistry in the blockbuster Aunn Zara.

Osman Khalid Butt and Maya Ali bring a fresh, modern flavour to every couple they play. Their witty, no-holds-barred verbal sparring and smart aleck one-upmanship keeps audiences coming back for more. Recently, we caught up with them to find out what exactly makes them tick!

They do make a cute pair!
They do make a cute pair!

Osman Khalid Butt

What advice would you have given to Wali?

Stop fretting over Agha Jaan’s health; he’ll probably outlive you and your saat pushten.

Oh, and this is less advice, more warning: beware the infamous Faarah-waterworks.

What has been your most difficult role so far?

Probably Mayer (from Aik Nayee Cinderella). The transition from stage to screen was particularly difficult; reining in both expressions and body language.

Your favorite Hollywood actor?

This is a difficult one: I’d say Johnny Depp, particularly for his brilliant turns in Ed Wood, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Sweeney Todd, and a childhood favorite: Edward Scissorhands. He’s such a malleable actor; the way he sinks his teeth into every role is inspiring.

There are other actors on my perennial favorites list because of just one film: like Jack Nicholson for The Shining, Anthony Hopkins for Silence of the Lambs, and Bjork for her devastating turn as Selma in Dancer in the Dark (aka my favorite film of all time.)

As you can see, I am drawn to the macabre and the twisted. Which really says a lot about me, (unfortunately).

Your favorite Doctor (from Doctor Who)?

It’s a tossup between David Tennant and Matt Smith, but I’ll go with the former because of the sheer gravitas Tennant brought to the Doctor’s sweeping monologues. Also because some of my favorite episodes are from his era (though the best episode was ironically a Doctor-light Blink, which I urge even non-fans of the show to watch.)

What would be your superpower?

Why just the one: just give me an unlimited supply of NZT-48 (the ‘smart’ drug from Limitless). But if I had to choose, telepathy.

What do you really, secretly, truly, deeply wish people understood about you?

That I’m not ‘difficult’ or complicated, just a bit intense at times.

What leaves you speechless?

A well-constructed, well-rounded argument. A great performance, particularly on stage.

Glamorous party with the stars or a night out with a few good friends?

Definitely the latter. Specifically (nerd alert!*) game nights – from *Taboo to Avalon, Citadels to King of Tokyo, Ticket to Ride to Archipelago (*told you) – with close friends.

What would be a deal-breaker for you in a relationship?

The lack of personal space – and an absence of wit.

Are you a man with a plan or do you take life as it comes?

I’m a man who lives vicariously through his daydreams. Seriously, though, while I do have a loose five-year-plan, life throws so many curveballs it’s hard to stick to them.

When you are sad what or who makes you smile?

The solace I find in a good book. My siblings. Re-watching Arrested Development.

What kind of role do you wish producers offered you?

An amazing horror-movie villain a la Freddy Krueger (a man can dream). I’m drawn to negative roles – but only if they’re fully fleshed-out ones.

Sri Devi or Madhuri Dixit?

Sri Devi, always and forever.

Music that moves you?

Anything that has violin as a central instrument and powerful lyrics. Generally I prefer stripped-down, melancholic melodies.

Slytherin or Gryffindor?

I know Gryffindor’s a popular choice but I’d be a Slytherin-Ravenclaw hybrid.

Your satires and v-logs (for example, the Humsafar parody) are famous; what is the purpose of satire, to make us laugh or to make us think?

Both, most definitely. (Thus spake the great satirist?)

Who don’t you want to be in ten years’ time?

Haha, single? Honestly it’s been so long I’ve been in a committed relationship I’ve forgotten how to ride the proverbial bicycle.

But on a serious note: I don’t want to look back and regret the risks I didn’t end up taking; the thoughts and ideas that never materialized.

Shalwar-kameez or jeans and a t-shirt?

Jeans and a t-shirt. Shalwar-kameez ki saari kasar Wali pe poori kar di hai.

The book you keep going back to read?

Most of Stephen King’s works, but particularly The Shining or It. These days I’m revisiting The Long Walk. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. (#dontpanic) Bridget Jones’ Diary for a quick laugh (sorry I’m not sorry)

Have you ever been in love?

Fewer times than I should have been.

Maya Ali

What advice would you have given to Faarah?

Faarah has to believe in the purity of her heart. She will definitely get her love.

What has been your most difficult role so far?

Without any doubt, Faarah! I never thought it would be so difficult to perform this character, but it was.

Your favourite Hollywood actor?

Brad Pitt

What would be your superpower?

Good question! Wish I could read minds and see inside hearts.

What leaves you speechless?

When I know I have been betrayed...

What do you really, truly, secretly wish people understood about you?

I am not an overactor! [Laughs]

Catwalk glamour queen or sweet girl next door?

You won't believe me, but both.

What would be a deal-breaker for you in a relationship?

Dual behaviours and selfishishness

Are you a planner or do you take life as it comes ?

Well, I always plan things and make them work according to me.

When you are sad what makes you smile? What's your remedy for a bad day?

Music and long walks are my remedies.

What kind of role do you wish producers would offer you but don't?

I wish they would offer me a proper negative role. Actually I liked Deepika's role in Cocktail. It was so different. And I want to play a girl who cannot speak.

Asher (from Humsafar) or Pyaray Afzal?

Without a doubt, Pyaray Afzal!

Music that moves you?

It depends on my mood.

Your all-time favourite movie?

Dil Walay Dulhaniya Leyjayge

Who DON'T you want to be in 10 years' time?

That is a tricky question! Hmm, let's say... I don't want to be a politician! [Laughs]

Are you an organic actress or a director's actress?

I think it is very important to be a director's actress and I am totally a director's actress.

Shalwar Qameez or Jeans and a T-shirt? Again, both!

What are you afraid of?

Everyone has to leave this world but the biggest fear in my heart is losing my parents.

Have you ever been in love?

I won't lie... I have once.

Comments

Rohit Singh Oct 28, 2015 11:22am
Cute Duo!!!
Recommend
Abu.Ashhad Oct 28, 2015 11:28am
My wife liked this drama so I have too :) but its quite far from realistic situation.
Recommend
harris Oct 28, 2015 11:53am
Wonderful drama.. the serene sceneries, the acting, the soundtrack and of course the story were all truly wonderful !!! Dramas nowadays rely on the production values other than just a story unlike old days where story was the entire universe and one could easily submerse and disappear into a different world all together.. Diyar Dil was one of the best well all rounded production with immersive story...
Recommend
M.Saeed Oct 28, 2015 11:55am
Real actors are definitely actors!
Recommend
Muhammad Majid Oct 28, 2015 12:14pm
No attraction.
Recommend
FARUK Oct 28, 2015 01:00pm
a very good drama after a while... thumbs up to writer; director and producer!
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Dr Yashfaa RAO Oct 28, 2015 01:48pm
Osmaya You WERE just Superb in Diyar e Dil . Though missed many episodes but really your acting and the way you presented yourselves on screen was Commendable and Laudable
Recommend
seemi Oct 28, 2015 02:22pm
I loved this drama from first to last episode. Throughout the drama, I used to wait for tuesday just as we wait for weekend. But honestly speaking most of the situations and characters in the drama were far from reality.
Recommend
miristan Oct 28, 2015 03:00pm
Congratulations a supper hit dram. keep it up love you guys.
Recommend
Abdul Karim Oct 28, 2015 04:06pm
A definite Oscar! Pakistan Zindabad!
Recommend
Syed Waqar Ali from Toronto Oct 28, 2015 04:48pm
The duo have performed very well in Dayar e Dil. Abid Ali is a seasoned actor and impressed a lot with his action, expression and maturity. We have new talents in TV dramas and singing. They have then moved to big screen. I wish we explore talented persons in other productive fields as well.
Recommend
jiya Oct 28, 2015 05:33pm
I love OsMaya pair. Get married both of you asap
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hassan Oct 28, 2015 06:10pm
Mayas answers are cute but very typical and girly while Osmans are quite intriguing and interesting.
Recommend
Veracious Oct 28, 2015 06:49pm
Seriously at times I'd the feeling Osman's not at all suitable for the role he played in the drama especially when he has to shout and the scene when he fights his wife's cousin trying to do whatever he was trying!!!!Yet overall the drama was good!
Recommend
aq Oct 28, 2015 07:17pm
Sadaf, great questions, fun answers- specially OKB's :)
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Khalad Goheer Oct 28, 2015 07:47pm
The story was good and believable. Osman acted superbly, to his role, both with expression and tone of voice. Maya, incidentally had an excellent role to characterize, but performed poorly. She was noticed to be acting. Osman in his role, helped her coat tail, her acting. She also did not depict a classy girl to match Osman. I'd like to see more of Osman.
Recommend
Amna Oct 28, 2015 08:12pm
Beautiful drama ! Superb acting from Abid Ali to wali , Faraah and the the rest .... V natural and intense acting . Will miss Tuesday's .
Recommend
Parveen Oct 28, 2015 08:16pm
Diyar e dil is a beautiful very well directed drama.The location is beautiful.If some one can tell me whose house and where it is.I would like to come to Pakistan and visit it.
Recommend
farhan Oct 28, 2015 08:43pm
best drama of 2015.
Recommend
TAK Oct 28, 2015 09:02pm
" PARVEEN The shooting was probably done in Serena Hotel Shigar - Skardu,.
Recommend
Ahmed Oct 28, 2015 09:50pm
One can judge by the caliber of answers in this interview who the star is and who the run-of-the-mill pretty face is.
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Neutral Oct 28, 2015 10:10pm
I love OKB, very creative himself, I was just watching his skits on YouTube before even reading this article .
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farhan Oct 28, 2015 10:51pm
@Parveen its serena khaplu hotel in baltistan area of pakistan and this place used to be a fort "khaplu fort".
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Shah Oct 28, 2015 10:56pm
Brilliant drama indeed. I am not sure about the couple together and Maya's acting. However I would say everything was enough to make the drama a success and a treat to watch.
Recommend
Parvez Oct 28, 2015 11:03pm
I found Maya Ali more convincing than Khalid Butt .
Recommend
Shabbir Oct 29, 2015 01:19am
This is my favorite drama I like it very much
Recommend
Omrna Oct 29, 2015 03:27am
best Drama and best couple...
Recommend
Jawad Oct 29, 2015 05:27am
Osman Khalid butt is an amazing actor I like all his dramas. His dad was also an actor
Recommend
Shazia Oct 29, 2015 07:54am
Such a beautiful drama serial !!! Credit goes to everyone who is the part of it... but 3 ppl Wali Faraah and Agha jaan are out of this world... Wali's last scenes with his twinkling eyes took everyone heart no doubt... Magical ♥♥. Wali Faraah jori is jori number 1 of the history of Pakistan dramas.
Recommend
Kamal Oct 29, 2015 11:07am
A good family drama with natural scene of north area specially of District Khopla were I served once upon a time.
Recommend
ira Oct 29, 2015 06:14pm
faraah u r cute...but a suggestion for u both ,,u wont appear good in neg roles.
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Mariam Oct 29, 2015 09:52pm
Osmaya d best lovee u both to d core
Recommend
Mk Oct 30, 2015 10:57am
No offense but the guy really ruled the roost in answering almost the same set of questions. Didn't know about them before reading this written piece, thanks to ample free time I get at office :)
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sara Oct 31, 2015 01:31am
he likes david tennant as WHO? ok ....i find him tolerable now :P david tennant is awesome. 10th and rose *sniff sniff*
Recommend
Syed M Moosvi Oct 31, 2015 10:18am
It was a very good Drama . It would have been much nicer if Wali and Sara's. Wedding wold have been celebrated It would have been wonderful to show our Cultural wedding all over the world. We missed it in this part of the world ( Canada) Very good Drama beautiful Haveli /scenery / Acting. Missed the wedding. " DESERVES NOMINATION "
Recommend
aq Oct 31, 2015 12:48pm
My mom liked both Wali &Faarah as knowing in real...
Recommend
Abbas Mustafa Oct 31, 2015 07:13pm
The whole drama is very gripping as well as the back ground and the eye catching envoirenment where it takes place can get visitors from all over the world only if the people start loving peace and friendship.
Recommend
Abbas Mustafa Oct 31, 2015 07:18pm
Beautiful pair,drama,and Pakistan the beautiful,we love it be friendly and the whole world will flock it.
Recommend
Momal Oct 31, 2015 10:39pm
Great actors and superb play!!! I wish our TV and Movie actors recognized the value and intellectual depth in being grounded to their roots of culture and faith. the reason this drama did well is it spoke to the void in pakistani people's heart , their thirst for family values and sense of belonging.
Recommend
kausar rehman Nov 01, 2015 02:23am
deserve no 1 jori without any doubt ,....want see more on tv together as couple.
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syeda batool Nov 02, 2015 11:41pm
ahhh..!! i just love OKB
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