US TALK

With his striking good looks and impressive stature, the quintessential rising star Usman Hidayat seems tailor-made for the dazzling world of showbiz. Beyond the superficial, however, lies an innate acting spark, almost as if he was born for the stage.

School events served as his initial proving ground, where he consistently made his mark, ensuring his presence was felt in every performance. After acing his Intermediate of Computer Science (ICS), Usman pursued a bachelor’s in software engineering from International Islamic University. Yet, through it all, his true calling – acting – remained front and centre.

His passion intensified dramatically after witnessing Anwar Maqsood’s iconic theatre play Half Plate. It was then that he realized formal acting training would be his stepping stone towards fulfilling his destiny. He subsequently enrolled at Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad for an acting course, understanding that theatre, with its live audience and immediate feedback, was something must for honing one’s craft and boosting confidence. His journey began in earnest with stage plays like Wafa Ke Putlay, and his hit production Meri Shadi Meri Marzi enjoyed an impressive run of over two months, truly setting the stage for his burgeoning career.

Us: Was your family cool with your decision to become an actor?

Usman Hidayat: I received immense support from my mother, who stood by me every step of the way. That unwavering backing gave me the confidence to fearlessly chase my dreams.

Us: Why did you opt for theatre to start your journey?

UH: Theatre is, without a doubt, the foundation for understanding the true aesthetics of acting. You get an instant, visceral response from the audience, and that immediate feedback is crucial for comprehending where you might be missing the mark.

Us: What has been the turning point of your life?

UH: Joining PNCA!! That’s where it all truly began to click into place.

Us: What do you love most about being in show business?

UH: Honestly, it’s the sheer dynamism of it all. Every day is different, and you’re constantly pushed to evolve, to explore new facets of yourself and the human experience. Plus, the opportunity to connect with an audience and tell stories that resonate – that’s truly something special.

Us: How did you break into the fashion world?

UH: My major breakthrough came when I bagged the HSY fashion campaign. That was my ticket to the big leagues of mainstream modelling. It gave me instant recognition, making me a familiar face and opening doors to offers from mighty designers like Muneeb Nawaz, Amir Adnan, Imran Rajpoot, and others, besides walking the ramp at PCW and BCW.

Us: How did you transition into television?

UH: It was a natural progression, beginning with the telefilm Patjhar Ke Gulab, followed by impactful roles in Ahsas, Pyari Alizeh, Sitaron Se Agay, and My Dear Cinderella, among others.

Us: What projects are keeping you on your toes these days?

UH: Currently, I’m swamped with the shooting of four serials: Ranjish, Doctor Bahu, Ruswai, and Ishq Natwaan. I feel incredibly honoured that in these projects, I’ve had the opportunity to share the screen with seasoned actors like Atiqa Odho, Sakina Samo, Kubra Khan, and many other. It’s a real masterclass every day.

Us: Comedy, serious, or negative roles – what’s your comfort zone?

UH: I’m all about versatility. In the upcoming serials, viewers will find me [portraying] a whole different set of characters. I’m keen to tackle all kinds of roles to avoid being pigeonholed.

Us: How do you feel about the content of our dramas these days?

UH: It’s refreshing to see that we’ve moved past the typical “saas-bahu” sagas. The content has definitely shifted gears, and now we’re delving into more pertinent issues, like drug problems in schools, horror comedy, law and justice, teenage struggles, and the evolving roles of parents and families. It’s a welcome change.

Us: How has your journey in the industry been? Have you learned anything that changed your perspective?

UH: In my relatively short career, there have been a few theatre plays and serials that I was part of and completed, but for one reason or another, they never saw the light of day. However, I never let that get me down. I always convinced myself that something bigger or better was just around the corner, and that’s exactly what happened. So, I want to emphasize this point to young artists: keep at it and give it your all without fearing anything. Hard work and a positive outlook are always rewarded; it’s a sure bet.

Us: Who do you find to be an underrated actor?

UH: Ahad Raza Mir. For me, he’s super talented, someone who just melds into the character and displays his acting acumen so authentically. It looks incredibly real. Plus, his choice of projects is very wise; I haven’t seen him doing a ‘soap’ ever, which is pretty cool.

Us: How do you deal with self-doubt?

UH: I firmly believe in myself and embrace tough situations as challenges. I lean on my self-belief as my greatest strength to ensure things fall into place for me.

MY TEENAGE YEARS

My date of birth is

October 15th.

The best thing about being a teenager was

Definitely having all the time in the world to hang out with friends.

The worst thing about being a teenager was

The never-ending mountain of school homework. Seriously, a total drag.

I was always listening to

My heart, hands down!! It usually points me in the right direction.

My favourite actors were

Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar and Shahid Kapoor in Kabir Singh.

My teenage crush was

It’s a tie between Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta. Both were total icons back then.

My favourite singer was

Atif Aslam, all time.

My favourite movie was

La La Land – the music, the story, the visuals … it just hits different. In Lollywood, it was Karachi Se Lahore – it’s a fun ride!

My pillar of strength was

My friend Saad. He’s always been my rock, constantly supporting me and encouraging me to stay strong and keep my eyes on the prize.

I wish I had known then that

Probably... don’t fall in love so easily! Live a little first.

My favourite and least favourite subjects were

English was the bomb, definitely my favourite. Math, on the other hand, was my nemesis. We just didn’t see eye to eye.

My most memorable tour till date was

A trip to Kumrat Valley with my buddies. Those memories are etched in my mind.