Pakistan’s television dramas, ever-growing in popularity, both at home, and across the border, continue to pull musical talent. Over the years, several artists have showcased their flair for acting by opting for roles in television dramas. From Bilal Khan to Ali Haider, the shift from music to acting has begun.
After reports that Ali Azmat is appearing in another film after Waar, the latest musician joining the acting bandwagon is Gohar Mumtaz, front-man and backbone of the musical group, Jal. Having worked in serials before, Gohar is no stranger to the world of television. His latest: a play called Neelum Kinarey that is set in the beautiful valley of Kashmir and is a family drama that deals with relationships, full of misunderstandings and complications. Can love conquer all? That is the gist of it. Directed by Adnan Wai Qureshi, the play also features Ushna Shah and veterans Ayub Khoso and Samina Peerzada among others.
In a span of just a few years, several, if not all, mainstream musicians have made the transition from music to acting. Gohar’s former band mate, Farhan Saeed, who picked up several awards this year for his track, ‘Roiyaan’ is also experimenting with acting. Earlier this summer, Farhan, alongside real-life partner, Urwa Hocane, appeared in the drama serial, Mere Ajnabi.
Others have made their presence felt on the big screen. In Bilal Lashari’s debut film, Waar, it was Ali Azmat and Meesha Shafi who displayed their acting chops; Ali Azmat as a dam-building, philandering politician, Ijaz Khan, and Meesha Shafi as a villainous figure with fabulous heels. Sure, the film was unintelligent, and laced with rhetoric that can only be described as part-propaganda and part-naïve, but Ali and Meesha remain memorable despite the film’s several shortcomings.
This year, Ahmed Ali Butt, the current front-man of the musical group EP also showcased his flair for acting in the year’s biggest hit so far, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani while Umair Jaswal is making his big screen debut in the upcoming war film, Yalghaar. And let’s not forget Ali Zafar and Fawad Khan, also artists who found fame, first as musicians, and later, as actors.
Whether Gohar Mumtaz’s latest play creates ripples or disappears without a trace remains to be seen but with fewer avenues for artists to play music, this trend of transitioning from acting to music is here to stay.