Content is king, solo films or multi-starrers don’t matter: Fawad Khan

By Nivedita

Noida, June 1 (IANS) He was already a popular name in India before his first Bollywood film "Khoobsurat" released, thanks to his Pakistani show "Zindagi Gulzar Hai". But after playing a solo lead in his debut Hindi film, Fawad Khan has mostly featured in multi-starrers - his last movie "Kapoor & Sons" and next release "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" being a case in point.

The actor says he picks projects based on content, as he finds choosing between solo or multi-starrers a "primitive concept".

"I don't think a multi-starrer or a solo film has anything to do with your choice of films. That is a bit of a primitive concept, really. Yes, you might want to keep a healthy balance, but that has more to do with the kind of roles you are playing.

"The film's content is the king. Karan (filmmaker Karan Johar) happened to offer me 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' and since I had a good rapport with Dharma Productions, it went on from there. I choose films preferably based on content and then I see the kind of team I have to work with," Fawad told IANS while he was here for an event for Giovani, a suits and jackets brand, from Future Lifestyle Fashions Limited.

In "Khoobsurat", Fawad played the role of Yuvraj Vikram Singh Rathore, a royal, opposite Sonam Kapoor.

He later essayed a homosexual guy in "Kapoor & Sons", receiving a lot of appreciation for it. Fawad says that he never had moments of doubt while playing such a bold role so early in his Bollywood career.

"My character was represented in such a decent and subtle way in the film that I don't think there was any kind of worry that went behind doing this film. They (homosexuals) are active members of society and the film was a representation of society. So, there was nothing alarming (about it)," the actor told IANS.

He also shared that he is open to do more such experiments in his acting career, as long as the role is nice.

"I would love to be a part of such wonderful stories. I would think about the story itself rather than the repercussions of the character being played in the film. I never had moments of doubt in this one ('Kapoor & Sons') because I just loved the film itself and the sensibility," said the actor, singer and model.

Fawad is next geared up for Karan Johar-produced-and-directed "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma.

While he continues to make his presence stronger in the Indian film market, there are other Pakistani actors too who are getting work in Bollywood. Mahira Khan, for example, stars opposite Shah Rukh Khan in "Raees".

Asked why there are so many actors from Pakistan doing great in Bollywood, and why the same is not happening with Indian actors in Pakistan, Fawad explained: "I think it's more because the Pakistani film industry has just rebooted, and it's in a very early stage as an industry.

"Give a couple of more years for the situation to change. I don't think it's more to do with any government-related thing as there is no restriction as such. It has nothing to do with any sort of animosity or political friction for that matter.

"People are working there and hopefully we would see things changing in days to come as we would love to have them (Indian actors) in our country."

Fawad is also open to sing in Bollywood films if there is an opportunity.

"I would like to pursue it again at some point and hopefully soon. But I would like to do it in my way. I would like to be a part of the creative process and that takes time. So, be it in Bollywood or a Pakistani film, a solo album or a song, let's see... I am looking forward to it! I have got a guitar as well," he said.

(Nivedita can be contacted at Nivedita.s@ians.in)