I knew that this being his first movie, it would be amazing. Firstly, I’m a big fan of Haissam’s work and he was the one who approached me for the project. Images: What made you choose this role? Was there something about the character you could relate to?ĪJ: Several factors helped in this decision. I really admire Mahi’s gumption, and think she’ll make an excellent role model.
She does not mean to hurt anyone or betray anyone’s trust, but truly believes that it is her destiny to set out on the journey she chooses to take. She has a keen sense of what is right and wrong and is willing to do what it takes to carve her own path because she feels it is her right. Mahi to me is a very brave and confident person, someone who is passionate about pursuing her goals and dreams and won’t let anything stand in her way. What do you think she means by that? How do you see your character Mahi?Īiny Jaffri (AJ): I think when Sadia says modern and contemporary, she means a strong and determined girl of today. Images: Ainy, producer Sadia Jabbar said in a recent interview that your character Mahi is a modern, contemporary Pakistani girl. and how that one encounter changes the both of them.”- Osman Khalid Butt
“At its core the film is about two polar-opposite people brought together by happenstance. I definitely have more of a sense of humour than Balu! OKB: I believe there’s a little bit of me in every character I’ve played - wish I had more of Wali’s patience, though. Images: For the fan girls desperately trying to decipher your personality, which of your recent characters is nearest to the actual Osman Khalid Butt - Wali ( Diyar-e-Dil), Aunn ( Aunn Zara) or Balu ( Balu Mahi)? I did not give him an accent, though, because that rang false with me. Haissam, our director, had a clear back story for Bilal in mind, so it became quite easy to tap into his psyche once the ball started rolling. So it was really interesting to portray an otherwise self-assured (or so he thinks) man unravel - and eventually reconstruct himself into a mature, more confident, more at-ease with risk individual.ĭespite coming from a fractured family, he’s beloved by his grandmother and so comes across as generally well-balanced, with that distinct British politeness. Osman Khalid Butt (OKB): Bilal aka Balu is your average 20-something guy who is thrust into one impossible situation after another (courtesy Mahi). How did you ensure your portrayal of Balu would be authentic? I ask this because so many portrayals of the Pakistani diaspora often ring hollow. In an earlier interview, you’ve said that Balu is a foreign-returned British Pakistani.
Images: Osman, tell us about your character, Balu. Images on Sunday caught up with the lead pair, whose appearance in the qawwali teaser 'Rung De Chunar' (sung by the inimitable Rahat Fateh Ali Khan) has caused quite a stir. Set for release on February 10, 2017, Haissam Hussain’s Balu Mahi has Pakistani film fans intrigued with beautiful visuals, a strong production team, an award-winning director and a fresh cast consisting of Osman Khalid Butt, Ainy Jaffri and Sadaf Kanwal. One of the most exciting aspects of this resurgence is the incredible diversity of styles and subject matter from comedies such as Jawani Phir Nahi Ani and Na Maloom Afraad to a biography such as Manto, a romance such as Bin Roye, action/adventure movies such as Maalik and Waar and an intimate exploration of modern relationships such as Dobara Phir Se.
Balu mahi trial#
The Pakistani film industry is going through a renaissance at lightning speed, making a great leap in terms of skills and technology to catch up to a level other industries took decades of trial and error to achieve.