These days, everyone seems to want Affan Waheed. He recently starred opposite to Aiman Khan and Iqra Aziz in Beydardi and premier entertainment channel HUM TV’s Khamoshi (2018), respectively, walked the ramp at a fashion week lately and is being approached by producers inquiring for his available dates, even when he’s shooting for an upcoming drama serial right now. His phone never stops ringing. This is actually no surprise; after all he’s almost there to complete a decade in Pakistan drama industry.
Waheed’s capacity for expression is mesmerising. On his pleasingly fairly symmetrical face, his fierce eyes and smile compete to articulate most loudly. And when he talks – usually in long, eloquent, multiclause sentences, which revise and edit ideas – he fidgets left, right, back, forth, lending his physical weight to what he is saying. And nothing seems off-limits. We discuss how he practices in between scenes, his cautious being when he was walking the runway and cautiously picking up the roles to inspire people out there.
His acting gig for television with entertainment channel, Geo TV’s Tere Pehlu Mein (2006) is only half the story of his success. Becoming a famous actor was never something he ever thought of growing up — he was set on having creative aesthetics and studying at National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore when offers for modelling and acting started pouring in. “Acting was a sheer accident waiting to happen to me. I’m not an exhibitionist by nature so never thought of becoming an actor,” says Affan.
On talking about what’s changed during his rich decade long journey in Pakistan drama industry, he says, “A lot has changed. With the onslaught of different channels, there’s a lot of work for everyone so there are so many faces that it’s hard to place them. It’s a very good sign all the same. It was, is and will always be a mix of professionals and unprofessionals. Dealing with that still is a nuisance at times but nonetheless it is rewarding.”
It seems like anytime a celebrity says anything, it’s shouted from the rooftops and that is the rooftop of the social media sphere. There are many celebrities worldwide who are using their impactful voices to empower the rest of us to pick up causes that matter. With drama serials to create an awareness against diseases including Aids and Down Syndrome under his belt, Affan understands his social responsibility as an actor to inspire others. “These projects were offered to me but choosing them was my prerogative. My body of work at this age is good but I want to do more, probably. I want to leave my legacy behind besides bagging roles which fill up my rice bins only. Hence Ilteja (2017) and Baydardi (2018) got the better of me.”
Drawing a parallel between Bollywood and fledgling Pakistani film and drama industry, Affan says, “We are progressing for good and so are they. Let’s focus on own projects and content.” Although Aseer-e-Mohabbat, his upcoming drama serial is already in the works, Affan is also looking forward to making his silver screen debut soon as he goes through the scripts, juggling between a tortuous decision whether to sign it or not. He talks about his upcoming project. “After projects that I’ve been doing for the past year, I needed a break from the portrayal of tragedy because it does get real at times. My upcoming drama is a hopelessly romantic saga.”
So how does he find inner peace? Is there something he does to get away from all the action in his life? “Peace has always been my quest and I have come to a conclusion that being completely at peace is a myth. No one can survive without turbulence or restlessness. It’s human nature. Accepting it that way brings more peace rather than striving to achieve peace.” says the young actor as he gets back on-camera during shoot.
CANDID: “Peace has always been my quest and I have come to a conclusion that being completely at peace is a myth.” asserts Affan Waheed, talking about finding inner peace.
“Acting was a sheer accident waiting to happen to me. I’m not an exhibitionist
by nature so never thought
of becoming
an actor”
