Yasir Shah unplugged

Until now it was singers, film stars, comedians, crickters who crossed over from Pakistan. But this is the first time that an actor came down to do an Indian television show. Yasir Shah who has his fan in every nook and corner of India is upbeat about the response he has received and that too with his maiden show. Yasir has been received so warmly that the actor now wants to make India his base and want to scale the heights of success. In an exclusive with Tellychakkar Yasir shares his career and dreams. You are the first Pakistani boy to do an Indian soap. How do you feel? It feels nice. Until now singers, comedians and film stars have been coming to India. I am the first one to come here for a daily soap Khwaish. Also I got the best launch pad ever in Balaji. How did you bag the lead role in Khwaish? There was an ad in a popular Pakistani newspaper asking for photographs. I had sent my portfolio pictures as I was a model in Pakistan with an experience of four years. I have modelled for many popular brands (Coca Cola, Sprite and Levis) and have done a hundred plus ramp shows in Pakistan. I got a call from Balaji after they liked my folio. I went to their office in Dubai and I was finalised instantly even without an audition. Frankly speaking I was shocked as I had sent the photos thinking it is for a modelling assignment. We shot in Dubai for nine months and then the story shifted to Mumbai. You had no training in acting and you had never acted before didn't you face any problem while facing camera? I admit that not being experienced was a big hurdle. But my co-actors and Muzamil, the director of the show were very co-operative and understanding. As the time passed I improved. Everyday was a learning experience. The only edge I had was that I could speak Urdu fluently. How did your parents react to your decision of moving to India? Initially they were scared because of age-old issues that the two countries have. But seeing the popularity of my character Azan and the show in Pakistan they finally consented. They realised that people from India like me and appreciate my talent a lot and I have huge fan-following here too. The show clicked in Pakistan and abroad but it didn't do well in India. It's true that Khwaish was number one show in Pakistan at one point of time. The show was a story of two Muslim families so Pakistani audiences instantly felt the connectivity with the show and its characters. It was the first of its kind from the Balaji camp and people here are used to saas-bahu soaps so probably audiences in India didn't connect to the show. Khwaish is going off air all of a sudden. Are you shocked? It's a shock as I was expecting it to run at least for a few more months. It had become a part of my daily life. But I will always be thankful to Ekta Kapoor who introduced me as an actor. Everything that starts has to end some day. Now I am doing a parallel lead in Jiya Jale on 9X. What do you have to say about Jiya Jale? I am getting great feedback from the channel, production house and viewers of the show. We are like one family off the sets. I just hope with my track in the show, Jiya Jale touches new heights of popularity. What do you have to say about Mumbai and India as a country? It was my dream to come to Mumbai as I have always seen Mumbai in Bollywood movies. I wanted to see the stars and also the glittering city. I am in love with the country as I have received immense love from people here. How different is Mumbai from Karachi? The infrastructure is the same. Both are beautiful places and people are the same but population and traffic is far less in Karachi. Do you relate to saas-bahu shows? No, I never saw any Balaji show when I was in Pakistan but my family is completely hooked onto these shows. In Pakistan Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii are extremely popular and Star Plus is one of the most popular channels. Have you met Ekta Kapoor? I haven't met Ekta Kapoor personally. And I would love to meet her. I tried to contact her but didn't get any response. It's my heartfelt desire to meet her since I played the lead in her show. Do you believe in destiny? I absolutely believe in destiny. I had never imagined I would land in Mumbai and do television and would have a career in this dream city. I was about to start my fashion label in Karachi but then the offer from Balaji came my way and changed the course of my career and life. Did you have any unusual fan experience? Yes, I recently got a call from Delhi from a sixteen year old girl's sister saying that she has slashed her wrist and is admitted in hospital as she didn't like the news of Khwaish going off air and she won't be able to see my character Azan anymore. Do you want to act in Bollywood films? It is my biggest dream to see myself on the big screen. I have grown up with an aspiration to appear on 70 mm. Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan are my favourite stars and Katrina Kaif is the most gorgeous looking actress.