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Open to any challenge that my profession has to offer-Ali Zafar
01 month ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Seema Sinha (BOMBAY TIMES; May 2, 2013)
Having received encouraging reviews for Chashme Baddoor (CB) and three of his films doing well at the box office, Ali Zafar’s career graph is on a high. After the success of his critically acclaimed debut film Tere Bin Laden, Ali followed it up with the romantic comedy Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD).
The actor attributes his success to hard work. “There are no short cuts in life. I had imagined it and it has happened. But I don’t think too much about it. I thank God for whatever he has given me,” he says.
Says his CB director David Dhawan, “I really enjoyed working with Ali. He did a superb job with perfect timing.”
Ali Abbas Zafar, who directed the actor in MBKD, says, “Ali is a natural talent. He is charismatic and has the X factor. He connects with the audience. He is on the right track.”
While Mumbai is already like a second home for the Pakistan-based actor-singer, does he plan to move here permanently? “I spend a lot of time in Mumbai. Due to the nature of my profession I am required to travel all over the world. Like right now I am touring the US. I’m open to any challenge that my profession has to offer,” Ali concludes.
I won’t ever kiss-Ali Zafar
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
By Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; May 14, 2012)
Apart from maintaining silence on his part in the Hindi remake of Vettai, Ali Zafar isn’t too forthcoming when talking about his heroines either. While he concedes he won’t lock lips, he’s quick to admit it’s not because of his wife Ayesha Fazli. Fortunately, he’s at his candid best when asked about carving his niche in Bollywood. Excerpts of a sawaal-jawab with the actor-composer-singer and lyricist…
What does your wife Ayesha Fazli and family say about your stardom? They’ve all been very supportive. She has always been there for me and is a big reason behind my success. My son Azaan is only two. But he starts dancing when he hears the Madhubala track from Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
You hope it’s not because of Katrina Kaif, the film’s heroine? Maybe (laughs).
How does Ayesha react to your romancing girls on screen? She knows it’s part of my job here. Everything that I as part of my work here, I discuss it all with her. I do things to the extent she would be comfortable with.
So there are no do’s and don’ts from her side? Well, I don’t kiss. But it’s not because of her, it’s because I myself don’t want to.
Any actress you felt attracted to? If you weren’t married, which actress would you like to be involved with? I’d rather stay quiet on that.
Surely you can name who you’d like to romance next in the movies? Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra. They’re all wonderful actresses and I’d like to work with them in More >
Shrishti Arya is extremely calm, sweet to work with-Ali Zafar
11 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
By Devansh Patel, Feb 11, 2012 – 15:38 IST
Ali Zafar is fast becoming Bollywood’s hottest property and many are questioning and comparing him to the likes of Ajay Devgn and Aamir Khan in versatility. While the nation may be celebrating its award functions and talking about the Khans, here’s a smart-alec who has talent that’s diverse and beneficial. But does that mean it’s time for a change? Come to think of it, yes. He may not yet be the newly appointed leading man in the B-town but he surely is in London Paris New York, a movie that he is sure will put his acting skills to test. In person he doesn’t act. Then you ponder – ‘But that’s how he was onscreen’. In between our talk, Ali sports a huge not-too-fake-white smile and I suddenly understand why every woman I know (and teenage girls galore) are doolally for Zafar. Besides his acting talent, he is handsome but not threateningly so, boyish but not immature, and earnestly, unashamedly in touch with his feminine side. Yes, two teenage girls come from nowhere and want to click pictures with Ali Zafar and I had to do the honours.
Presenting you – Part 2 special on Ali Zafar’s quest in Bollywood and his search for a better platform for actors and writers in Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s stage humour is so fascinating” Pakistan’s stage humour is so fascinating that many people out here in India love it. People have seen so many plays from Pakistan on VHS tapes in the 1980s and 1990s. I don’t intentionally try to bring out the humour More >
You need to listen to your instincts-Ali Zafar
11 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
By Devansh Patel, Feb 10, 2012 – 15:48 IST
No matter how big or small budget your movies are, it’s the track record that counts. For starters, Ali Zafar has a 100% success rate at the box office. But I honestly feel it was his first movie that catapulted him in the big league of acting in Bollywood. Anyone less talented might be charged with veering towards overexposure, but Zafar has the ability to move seamlessly between genres, and there is the sense that, at 30 years old, he is seizing all opportunities, relishing the realisation that this hard-won success is his to enjoy. We met near the pool side facing the beautiful beach on a breezy and sunny weekend, almost late lunch time. I found Ali at a distance in his shorts and a white tee having his sun bath. Ali Zafar had an exuberant charm. He turns and looks at me, awkwardly gets up and rests his back on the white beachside chair as if that were the most natural and only way to say hello. There is a restless energy about him; he will chatter away, but then consider some answers carefully. Ali finds his way into roles by methodically reading and re-reading the script “until it just sort of settles into me, and it’s almost like putting on a new skin every day,” he says. This approach was challenged when he read London Paris New York and when I sat with him for a detailed chat on the movie, his singing, his future plans and why he always listens to his intuition. Much more in this exclusive Part 1 of a two part special with More >
Six-pack abs are not my priority-Ali Zafar
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Ali Zafar drops his shirt for the first time but getting six-packs was not part of the plan
Harshada Rege (BOMBAY TIMES; December 19, 2011)
Akshay Kumar and John Abraham got the mercury soaring with their shirtless act in Desi Boyz, and now Ali Zafar is all set to add to global warming by showing off his newly-acquired, toned bod in his next film. The actor, loved for his chocolate-hero looks, has opted for a lean mean look for his movie London, Paris, New York; BT gives you a sneak peek.
Actors like John Abraham and Akshay Kumar have gone shirtless recently. You are now joining the league. Nervous? I had done the same for my music video Ek Pal, so I wasn’t nervous about going shirtless. I had no qualms about doing it. I’d have felt weird if it was forced, but this goes with the flow of the movie. I have always been into fitness, but this time I have put in more effort. I had to get lean, but six-pack abs aren’t my priority.
Did you hit the gym big time before shedding your shirt? I was careful about what I was eating. I cut down a bit on carbs. I didn’t stress too much about it. I have my own form of training. I like mixing aerobics, weight training and other things. I was staying opposite Hyde Park in London, so I would go there for a run. That helped me a lot. The day before you shoot, you do try and be a bit careful about what you eat.
Are six-pack abs on your wish list? It’s good to have six-pack abs, but that isn’t on top of my mind. Every actor doesn’t need to More >
Not in it for sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll!-Ali Zafar
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Ali Zafar tells Harshada Rege that he’s looking forward to creating music that will be remembered for years to come
BOMBAY TIMES (March 21, 2011) You have dabbled in music as well as acting. So what do you think of yourself as — a musician or an actor — first? I consider myself an artist, who likes to keep expressing himself through his work in various art forms, be it acting, singing, painting or writing. In the process, I discover myself.
You are often referred to as the Prince of Pop in Pakistan, how seriously do you take such titles? These titles are for the people who give it and I am thankful if someone thinks of me worthy of any such title. However, if I start taking them seriously, I can get into into a dangerous space of self-love and indulgence, which can be a hindrance to my growth as an artist. I have witnessed careers go down and work deteriorate when creative people get caught up in such things. I would prefer to be disassociated with praise so that I can remain level headed and maintain subjectivity, which I feel is important for my work.
You recently released your third album, is there one particular sound that you like to be associated with or do you try something different everytime? The third album is completely different not for the heck of being different, but it represents a natural transition in me. It’s serious music with Sufi poetry and some poetry from Ghalib, besides my own. The idea is to make music which More >
Some of Pakistan is unhappy with me here-Ali Zafar
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Ali Zafar, who has bagged a nomination for best debut, tells us why a section of Pakistan is averse to his Indian ambitions
Mauli Singh (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 28, 2011)
How has life changed post Tere Bin Laden?
I wrote an email to my director Abhishek Sharma stating that he has completely changed my life and for the better.
Was Bollywood always on your mind?
Like everyone else I also grew up watching Dilip saab and Mr. Bachchan’s films and later on Aamir and Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. I started as a model and also did TV shows but didn’t enjoy acting then. After that I got busy with my music albums. Then I wanted to do something bigger and better so I came to Bollywood.
We keep hearing about the rift between Imran and you?
Whenever I read such stories I call up Imran and ask him what’s happening. He says, ‘don’t worry people try and create rift between actors, don’t take it seriously.’ We have a very good relationship. We went out partying recently.
You didn’t come for his wedding?
My brother-in-law was getting married the same day. In fact, I just got a text from Kiran (Rao). She is hosting a party for Imran and Avantika’s wedding.
You were experiencing a lot of visa issues.
Not at all. I have a multiple entry visa. Normally it takes 40 days to renew it. I am thankful that the officers grant me the visa pretty quickly.
Do you see yourself shifting base to India?
Ali: I don’t know. The decision depends on policies.
Ayesha: I don’t think a More >