It's a character young, bright-looking and precisely 2-film old Babrik Shah hadn't quite fancied himself doing, at the start of his showbiz career. Come to think of it, he debuted only last year, with Ajab Gul's 'Kyun Tum Se Itna Pyar Hai', a film that had seemed promising to him but turned out to be a damp squib. Moreover, it had his director-actor (Gul) snatching the meatier part from right under his dinky little nose. Later, he suffered a similar fate with his next film, Reema Khan's 'Koi Tujh Sa Kahan' whose one-song-two-scene bit scuppered his chances to even get noticed.
Today, even though he has an ambitious, shot-entirely-in-Dubai 'Tadap' to look forward to, Babrik says that he is relying heavily on Shehzad Rafiq's much-tomtommed 'Mohabbatan Sachiyyan' where he plays an out-and-out negative character, for the very first time.
"Would you believe it, I play a casanova?" he gushes.
Although he admits that the role sure means "a small, career risk", Babrik backs his decision, quoting instances where a Shah Rukh Khan, a Babar Ali or Saud have succeeded with anti-hero characters.
According to Babrik, it isn't as if he has got out of luck. "I play the villain all right, but I am happy as long as the film revolves around me.
"I get to romance the two leading ladies in the film," he continues in the same breath, "I've got two great solo numbers. What more could I ask for?"
Babrik also talks excitedly of how he took extra care revamping his look for 'Mohabbatan Sachiyyan'. "I am wearing long overcoats that I designed especially for the film.
"Besides, I am sporting an 'attitude' throughout the movie. I can bet that it's going to be one watch-out performance."
It may be mentioned here that 'Mohabbatan Sachiyyan' stars Veena Malik, model turned actor Adnan Khan and a new girl (not yet finalised) in the lead. It is director Rafiq's first Punjabi film and a big-budget venture. The songs of the film have already been recorded in India with leading Bollywood singers such as Shreya Ghoshal, Udit Narayan, Sunidhi Chohan and others.
Babrik is also busy with TV serials. He recently finished Rashid Khawaja's 'Dead End' with Gia Ali and his 'Mohabbatan…' co-star Adnan Khan. Currently he is also shooting for PTV's 'Roag' that pitches him against veteran Qavi Khan.
