Maalik is a reply to those who blame the country rather than themselves: Ashir Azeem
In 1993, a young Ashir Azeem rose to stardom as the star and writer of PTV Quetta centre’s first action-drama Dhuaan, and captured the imagination of the entire nation.
The content was so strong that it did not require the traditional star-studded cast or the staple ‘happily ever after’ ending. The leading cast was killed off in the final episode; something that still bothers those who followed it with all their heart. The question remains: why?
“First of all, the guys weren’t supposed to die in the original script; I had to kill them off because had I not done so, Dhuaan would have become the story of individuals and not the story of the system,” the cool and calm Ashir Azeem discloses.
"I was also under pressure to continue Dhuaan and keep adding stories to it. If something is successful we should know the right time to make an exit."
“But then, I also believe that Dhuaan had a happy ending since another young ASP replaces my screen character of Azher and continues the good work."
"I was also under pressure to continue Dhuaan and keep adding stories to it. If something is successful we should know the right time to make an exit. Commercial success tends to blind us, we try to stretch that success till people get sick of the concept and force us to quit. It is better to leave in dignity than be forced out in disgrace. That timely exit is one of the factors that made Dhuaan so popular.”
Ashir Azeem's exit
Much like ASP Azher, Ashir Azeem left the scene soon after giving the public something they could cheer for. While Nazli Nasr, Nabeel and Asal Din Khan continued with their showbiz careers, Ashir disappeared only to return 22 years later.
Out of sight but not out of mind, Ashir Azeem is back at what he does best!