Farhan Ally Agha

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Farhan Ally Agha

by

Ally Adnan

Farhan Ally Agha entered the field of fashion modeling as a teenager and, in a

short period of two (2) years, became one of Pakistan’s most successful and

sought-after models. After five (5) highly successful years as a model, the former

competitive bodybuilder and Mr. Karachi made a move to acting, a field in which

he has now excelled for over two (2) decades. During his career, Farhan has

worked as an actor in numerous successful television plays and hosted a number

of television and fashion shows, while maintaining his status as a successful

fashion model. He feels that he is at the highest point of his career currently but

is confident of achieving even greater success in the future. In a detailed interview

with his friend, Ally Adnan, Farhan talks about his career, show business and his

plans for the future.

1. You are known for being a person of faith and for being very religious. Is

your profession of modeling and acting at odds with your religion?

It is true that I am a person of faith. It is also true that I am religious. However, it

is not true that my profession is at odds with my religion; quite the contrary. Islam

has helped me become a better actor and a better model.

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Islam teaches one to earn money honestly by working hard, with integrity and to

the best of one’s ability. That is what I try to do when I act and model. Show

business does seem glamorous but only from a distance. Once you are in the

business, you realize that an inordinate amount of labor, energy, sweat,

persistence and patience is needed to work as an actor and a model. It is not easy.

The hours are long, the work is grinding and the craft requires hard work. One

needs to learn how to ignore - and hide - tedium, bad moods, worries,

unhappiness, sleeplessness and a lot of other emotions when in front of the

camera and on the ramp. My religion teaches me the importance of working

honestly. That is what makes me good at what I do and the reason I enjoy being

an actor.

Television and film are two (2) of the very few options of entertainment available

to Pakistanis. A people dealing with poverty, joblessness, load-shedding,

terrorism and lack of security find relief and happiness while watching television

or going to the cinema. It may be temporary relief and happiness but it is relief

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and happiness nonetheless. How can acting be at odds with Islam when it brings

happiness to a very large number of people leading difficult lives?

Celebrity allows one to do a lot of good and promote important causes. Mel

Gibson, George Lucas, Nora Roberts, Oprah Winfrey, and Ndamukong Suh are

amongst the most charitable people on the planet. Angelina Jolie used her star

power to increase awareness of the Syrian refugee crisis. Nicole Kidman uses all

forums available to talk about violence against women. A large number of stars,

including Orlando Bloom, John Mayer and Aziz Ansari, support the Malaria No

More campaign. David Guetta used his hit song, Without You, to raise money for

the hunger crisis in West Africa last year. Stars who are good human beings

understand that celebrity can and should be used for social good. This is the spirit

of Islam.

2. You have been in show business for more than two (2) decades now, and

have had a reasonably high level of success in the industry. Greater fame and

success outside of Pakistan seems to have eluded you. Why is that?

I have spent more than twenty (20) years in the industry with what I believe is a

lot of dignity and self-respect. I always show up on set on time. I remember all

my lines. I am cooperative with the entire cast and crew of the production. I do

not throw tantrums. I work like a thorough professional but my professionalism

may have worked against me. People treat me with respect but not with the awe

and adulation reserved for stars. That may be the reason I am not considered a

superstar even though I have probably acted in more hit television plays than

most actors my age. My friends often tell me that the discipline and

professionalism that I bring to my work is appropriate for mature entertainment

industries and works against me in Pakistan. Sometimes I think they are right.

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I understand that I need focus on increasing my star power and am working to

raise my profile in the industry. I have never worked in as many television plays

as I currently have on set and continue to model. I just need to focus on my image

as a star now. You may not see me everywhere – that is not my style – but you

will see me more, and in the right places, in the future. I just hope that I can

achieve my goal without having to compromise my self-respect and dignity.

3. How did you get your first break in acting?

I have always been a fitness freak and used to spend many hours in the gym as a

teenager. I was offered an opportunity to work in a television commercial by

someone who spotted me at my gym. It was a commercial for a brand of biscuits

and became a hit. The next five (5) years of my life were filled with a large number

of commercials, both print and television. In 1995, I was offered a role in a

television soap with one hundred (100) episodes. This marked my break into

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acting. I have worked in a few hundred television plays since. There has been no

looking back.

4. How did you learn to act?

I was not a born actor, unfortunately, and had to learn the craft. I was scared of

acting in the beginning but received a tremendous amount of support, guidance

and help on the set from directors, producers, actors and a number of other

people. It was this encouragement that helped me overcome my fears and work

on my skills as an actor. I got to work on many projects right from the start and

had great opportunities to learn on the job. I also started watching film and

television much more carefully after becoming an actor, and tried to learn by

watching great thespians at work. I believe that, over the years, I have established

myself as an actor of merit and can do justice to all the roles that come my way.

I do not think there is a role I cannot handle as an actor.

5. In addition to being an actor, you have being modeling for a long time.

Which do you enjoy more, acting or modeling?

I am a lucky man! I enjoy both acting and modelling but if I had to pick one, I

would pick modeling. The excitement, energy and dash of modeling is like nothing

else. I come alive on the ramp and love the instant rapport one builds with the

audience and the immediate feedback one gets. I recently participated in a

fashion show as a celebrity guest. It was the most fun I have had in a long time.

Being on the ramp made my juices flow again even though I have been doing this

for more than half of my life. The press termed my participation to be the

showstopper of the event.

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6. Have you considered a career in cinema?

Not until very recently. The films that were made in Pakistan during the last

twenty (20) years were not ones that I would like to be associated with but our

cinema if undergoing a revival and number of good films have been produced

recently. Chambeli, Zinda Bhaag, Seedlings, Waar, and Tammana were very

good. I would like to work in such films and am eager to find roleswhich will afford

me an opportunity to prove my mettle on the big screen.

I have done a film during my acting career. It was an English language film titled

Good Morning Karachi, directed by Sabiha Sumar. I enjoyed working with Sabiha

and am glad that the film opened to very good reviews in the United Kingdom in

2011. As we speak, I am talking to a studio about working in a major international

project. Let us hope that it works out.

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7. In your opinion, what makes one a good actor?

In my opinion, there are five (5) qualities that an actor must have.

One, he should have innate talent, not something that he develops or learns but

something he is born with. This is not always readily visible. It took me a while to

discover my natural flair for acting and entertaining.

Two, he should have a positive screen presence and be able to engage and hold

the attention of viewers. Good looks help in this area but are not sufficient, or

even necessary, to make an actor truly captivating. In my opinion, this is not a

quality that one can develop. You either have it, or you don’t, and there is little

you can do about it.

Three, an actor should be intelligent and have a keen understanding of life and of

the human psyche. An actor needs to use this understanding to add unique

characteristics, convincing attributes, appropriate emotions and distinctive traits

to the character he plays. An actor who does not bring insight and knowledge to

a role cannot be a good actor.

Four, the actor should have respect for the profession of acting and for the

industry. Actors who believe that they are better than the industry may have a

few short-lived successes and fail eventually.

Finally, an actor must be a team player and display a total lack of arrogance. He

cannot be bigger than the production. A good actor shows respect to other actors,

writers, directors, set decorators, technicians and all other key personnel. Actors

who show up late and unprepared, who throw tantrums on the set, and who keep

fidgeting with their mobile phones have a corrosive effect on set and hurt the

ability of everyone else to do their best.

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8. And what attributes should a good model have?

First and foremost, a model should be attractive and good looking. The face

should be symmetrical and have good bone structure. He should be tall, fit and

well-built. He should be photogenic and look good on the ramp.

Two, the model must have innate

modeling skills. This means that he

should know how to pose, how to

create the right facial expressions and

understand the best angles for him in

relation to the camera. He should

have good posture and a strong

runway walk.

Three, the model should be

professional and disciplined. He

should get enough sleep and always

be on schedule, allowing ample time

for the make-up artist and hair stylist.

He should take each shoot seriously

and work with the photographer and

show coordinator to understand the

specific needs of each project.

Finally, the model should have a unique look, presence and aura, one that

differentiates him in a crowded field. It is the x factor. And again, you either have

it, or you don’t, and there is little you can do about it.

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9. Are being a big star and a good actor mutually exclusive in Pakistan?

If we look around today, it would certainly seem that way. The “stars” tend to be

so busy being stars that they forget to focus on acting. It was not always this way

in Pakistan. We had stars, like Nadeem Sahib, who were great actors as well. I

hope that things will change. Stars who are unprofessional and incompetent hurt

everyone’s game.

10. Do you consider yourself to be a star or an actor?

An actor. Definitely, an actor; but I am working on increasing my star power. I do

not want to become a star that throws tantrums, misbehaves and hurts the entire

production. I only want to have the perks of being a celebrity available to me and

my family, and I want to use my celebrity status to do some good. That is it.

11. Where do you think you stand in your career as an actor today?

I think I am the highest point of my acting career now. I have more projects on

hand than I have ever had, my acting skills are being greatly appreciated all over

the world, some of the best and most talented people in show business are my

friends, and I am making more money than I have ever made during my career.

Life is good. I am evaluating several good opportunities available to me and hope

to make sound decisions and the right choices. I feel greater success is just around

the corner.

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12. Have there been times when you have wished that you had never become

an actor?

Yes. The last time was when I had to wear a necktie and a suit for an outdoor

scene in 110 °F temperature. But on a serious note, I enjoy being an actor. There

have been some ups and downs but nothing so serious that I would wish for

another career.

13. What advice do you have for newcomers in show business?

My advice is that they work hard, learn the craft and behave professionally. Our

industry is now at a stage where actors can make good money. Acting no longer

needs to be a second career. On can do very well as an actor if he takes his career

seriously.

14. How do you think newcomers can avoid the casting couch?

There is a lot of talk about the casting couch in

Pakistan. I have heard a lot of stories and do

not like what I have heard. Let me say that I

was never asked for sexual favors by anyone.

I guess no one wanted to mess with a

competitive bodybuilder. But let me be

serious and answer the question properly. I

think newcomers should rely on their skills

and talent. I think they should be aware that

they can always say no. They should

remember that not everyone in the industry

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wants to abuse them. And they should not look for shortcuts. I succeeded in show

business without compromising my virtue. If I can do it, so can they.

15. How has television changed in Pakistan in the last twenty (20) years?

A lot has changed, in virtually

every possible way. Twenty (20)

years ago, we only had two

channels and they did not

transmit throughout the day. We

now have more than one

hundred (100) channels in

Pakistan. People in show

business have greater

opportunities and viewers have

more choices than they had

twenty (20) years ago. Our

programs are watched all over

the world. There is more money

in television than there has ever

been in the past. We have made

many strides technically and our

production quality is now of

international standards. There is

room for improvement, especially in acting and writing, but we have done well

by all standards.

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16. A vast majority of television plays today focus on the suffering and pain of

women in our society. Do Pakistani women really lead such sad lives?

Nowhere in the world are women as sad and miserable as they are shown to be

on Pakistani television. I guess a few plays with unhappy women did well

commercially and everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

17. What projects are you currently working on?

I am working in six (6) serials that are currently on air. These are Hum Thehray

Gunahgaar ( گناهگار ٹهرے ہم ), Mere Qatil Mere Dildar ( دلدار میرے قاتل میرے ), Dard

Ashna ( آشنا درد ), Raakh (راکه), Mom (موم) and Mere Humdum Mere Dost ( ہمدم میرے

دوست میرے ). And six (6) more plays - Aseer E Zaat ( زات اسیر ), Lafangay (لفنگے),

Kafara (کفارہ), Sadqe Tere ( تیرے صدقے ), Digest Writer and one as yet unnamed play

- are currently on set. Busy times!

18. What is next for Farhan Ally Agha?

I think greater success, both in television and in cinema, is ahead of me. I believe

that I will secure a few good international projects. I have great confidence in my

abilities as an actor, my professionalism and my looks. I feel very strongly that I

will do well in the future.

Ally Adnan lives in Dallas, Texas, where he works in the field of mobile

telecommunications and writes about culture and art. He can be reached at

[email protected].

Photographs by Shaharyar Khan