C H I T C HAT
for. “When I read the script and when we shot for the
film, I didn’t get a feeling that the woman’s character
was weak. Her character was not exposed to the world.
Given the circumstances, she does her best.”
As the conversation moves to Mirza’s other projects like
the upcoming Shaan Shahid remake of Mahesh Bhatt’s
1982 film, Arth, he reflects on his selection process before signing any project. For him, script is king.
“I wanted to be an actor and for an actor the highest
point, the pinnacle is cinema. But when I started out, this
revival of cinema hadn’t happened. I wanted that kick
and so with lack of decent films, I worked in telefilms.”
With over 90 telefilms to his credit, Mirza’s skill got polished further and his journey into cinema began.
“In Dukhtar, for instance, I was criticized because I
seemed heroic. My question is why not? It isn’t reality,
it’s a depiction of reality.
Otherwise, what’s the difference between a drama and
a film? Let it be larger-than-life because that’s what cinema is.”
From our conversation, it is palpable that for Mirza doing
quality work is the only goal. His decision to not star in
television serials unlike several of his contemporaries is
a calculated one.
“Where is the man? In television today, where is he? The
man is either useless or a cheater or some such thing. In
society and in life, there are good people and bad. Why
is there then no balance when it comes to the character
of the man?”
Though a fan of the glorious heydays of PTV serials,
Mirza defends the television industry as he says that our
serials have improved tremendously.
“Content can improve further but it will take time. The
mechanics have changed. There are several channels
now. The slot has to be filled so out of 100 serials, maybe 5 or 6 are good.”
The actor, who was effortless in his role of a Pakistani
cab driver in the recently-released film Bachaana, will
soon be seen in Shaan’s remake of the 1982 Bollywood
film, Arth. While Bachaana received decent reviews,
some criticized it for showing Sanam Saeed in a regressive role. Mohib, however, disagrees and feels that it
was powerful enough given the scope of the character.
Then and now
Mirza’s story is one full of hope. At the age of 17, Mirza
told his parents that he wanted to be an actor. Pursuing
a degree in commerce required a lot more money that
his family could afford, and it prompted him to write a
play, which led to his discovery as he was cast in other
projects later on.
“The play was successful. We got a story in a leading
newspaper and the extra money we earned was spent
eating out at fancy restaurants,” laughs Mirza as he
reminisces.
The realization that he wanted a career in acting struck
Mirz H[