The most talked about film of the year is definitely Pehla Pehla Pyar and we hear that every one interested in films was really wishing to be a part of this movie. It was however, to be Ali Tabish’s good fortune that he got the most coveted role in Lollywood.
Ali Tabish is the new kid on the block and already making waves, not just ripples, on the movies front. A very talented young entrant in the film world, Ali is busy shooting his latest flick Pehla Pehla Pyar, a film by Mubasher Lucman. He is a very popular model and has done some television work as well. However, it is his new film and his title song that is big news these days. In an exclusive interview with the Entertainment World, Ali speaks his heart and mind. Here are the excerpts:
Pehla Pehla Pyar is a very fortunate break for me & I am very thankful to the director and producer Mubasher Bhai who cast me into it. It is really coming up and shaping into a very beautiful movie and I am very excited about the prospects.
Before I ventured into movies, I was playing cricket for the Pakistan A Team before I had an accident and fractured my ankle. Prior to that, I was in the Pakistan Air force Academy. I guess I was always destined to be in the films otherwise why would fate have you change major careers?
On asking who is a better performer, Zara or Resham, Ali said, well, this is a tricky question ...ohm.. Resham is more experienced and Zara is also very hard working. But I really am grateful to both of them, especially Resham, who really helped me during the shoot and gave me lot of confidence. I really feel even film star Nadeem also helped me a lot in understanding the complex nature of my role. I am very lucky in this respect that every one around me helped me a lot.
I never thought I could ever get a role in Pehla Pehla Pyar. I visited Mubasher Bhai with my friend Babloo, the makeup artist. He works with Depilex and as I later found out Depilex is doing the entire styling for the film. We were at his home for some time and he let us hear the title song and a few other songs of the movie that were under production. I really wished he would ask me but he did not. It was a month or so later that I got a frantic call from Babloo and he said Mubasher Lucman wanted to talk to me. I went there and in a matter of 30 minutes or so I was doing the lead role and a contract was being made for me. It was all very fast after that. Suddenly I was in the hands of a designer who was doing my wardrobe, a string of makeup artists who were improving my style and a professional photographer who was doing my shoots, it was all very fast and sudden. However, I must confess I did not think the first time that I could ever get the role.
I am sure it is very difficult for new comers, but for me it was really the way I told you. I feel getting into a film may not be that difficult as getting into a good film in a noticeable role may be. Anyway no complaints, I thank God Almighty for giving me my lucky breaks in life.
It is rubbish to say that new artists face problems as their scenes & lines are cut at the insistence of seniors. On the contrary it may surprise you to hear that not a single line was omitted or deleted from my script. On the contrary, both Resham and Nadeem Sahib twice asked Mubasher Bhai about a particular sequence and asked him to finish the scene on me so it would lift the scene up. I cannot thank my seniors enough for their support and guidance.
Its not really true that film industry is not very educated. I have met a lot of very educated and sensitive people. In my short span as an artist so far and hence I do not agree with you.
My family has taken to my films very well indeed. My entire family is whole-heartedly supporting me. In fact when we were on the shoot in Thailand, and since I am the youngest in my family, my folks were really worried. My mother would on a daily basis be in touch with Bhabi (Mrs. Mubasher Lucman) enquiring about my health. My sister in New Jersey would call Mubasher Bhai everyday in Thailand to ask about my progress. They were all very concerned and very determined to ensure that I get all the support behind me.
I do get lot of calls from girls and now of late I even get fan mail. I thank Allah for making me popular despite all odds.
If you have worked with Mubasher Bhai you would know that you couldn’t work in any other thing along-with his project. He gets full time and he expects every one to devote all energies and efforts in that one direction. I will Inshallah, but soon, after I finish my shoot and the current project. At the moment I am more concerned about doing a good job in this film.
I am not at all nervous due to working with a television director. Many film directors have failed so many times. Clicking on the box office is all about luck. Every director I feel does make an attempt to give a hit. It is fate that will always determine your forte. Besides only two television directors have failed and a lot of hue and cry was raised. Do you remember how many film directors have flopped in the past five years?
I have an advice for the upcoming artists. There is no short cut to success and your dreams coming true. You must hang in there, very often most of us never know before they give up how close they were to real success.
Ali is off for his second spell of Pehla Pehla Pyar and we wish him the best of every thing. We will also bring back more from him whilst he is shooting overseas and when he is back. Stay tuned to Entertainment World folks.
