Farhan Ally Agha entered the field of fashion modeling as a teenager and, in a short period of two years, became one of Pakistan’s most successful and sought-after models. After five 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 succeeded at for over two 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.
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.
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 labour, 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 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 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.
You have been in show business for more than two 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 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.
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 I 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.
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 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 episodes. This marked my break into acting. I have worked in a few hundred television plays since. There has been no looking back.
[quote]I was not a born actor, unfortunately, and had to learn the craft[/quote]
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.
[quote]The excitement, energy and rush of modeling is like nothing else[/quote]
In addition to being an actor, you have been 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 rush 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.
Have you considered a career in cinema?
Not until very recently. The films that were made in Pakistan during the last twenty years were not ones that I would like to be associated with but our cinema is undergoing a revival and a 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 roles which 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.
[quote]Good looks help but are not sufficient, or even necessary, to make an actor truly captivating[/quote]
In your opinion, what makes one a good actor?
In my opinion, there are five 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 few short-lived successes but 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.
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.
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.
Apart from this, 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.
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.
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.
Where do you think you stand in your career as an actor today?
I think I am at 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 right choices. I feel greater success is just around the corner.
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.
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. One can do very well as an actor if he takes his career seriously.
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 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.
How has television changed in Pakistan in the last twenty years?
A lot has changed, in virtually every possible way. Twenty years ago, we only had two channels and they did not transmit throughout the day. We now have more than one hundred channels in Pakistan. People in show business have greater opportunities and viewers have more choices than they had twenty 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.
[quote]Nowhere in the world are women as sad and miserable as they are shown to be on Pakistani television[/quote]
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.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am working in six serials that are currently on air. These are Hum Thehray Gunahgaar, Mere Qatil Mere Dildar, Dard Ashna, Raakh, Mom and Mere Humdum Mere Dost. And six more plays - Aseer E Zaat, Lafangay, Kafara, Sadqe Tere, Digest Writer and one as yet unnamed play are currently on set. Busy times!
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.
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.
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 labour, 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 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 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.
You have been in show business for more than two 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 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.
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 I 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.
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 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 episodes. This marked my break into acting. I have worked in a few hundred television plays since. There has been no looking back.
[quote]I was not a born actor, unfortunately, and had to learn the craft[/quote]
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.
[quote]The excitement, energy and rush of modeling is like nothing else[/quote]
In addition to being an actor, you have been 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 rush 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.
Have you considered a career in cinema?
Not until very recently. The films that were made in Pakistan during the last twenty years were not ones that I would like to be associated with but our cinema is undergoing a revival and a 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 roles which 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.
[quote]Good looks help but are not sufficient, or even necessary, to make an actor truly captivating[/quote]
In your opinion, what makes one a good actor?
In my opinion, there are five 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 few short-lived successes but 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.
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.
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.
Apart from this, 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.
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.
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.
Where do you think you stand in your career as an actor today?
I think I am at 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 right choices. I feel greater success is just around the corner.
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.
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. One can do very well as an actor if he takes his career seriously.
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 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.
How has television changed in Pakistan in the last twenty years?
A lot has changed, in virtually every possible way. Twenty years ago, we only had two channels and they did not transmit throughout the day. We now have more than one hundred channels in Pakistan. People in show business have greater opportunities and viewers have more choices than they had twenty 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.
[quote]Nowhere in the world are women as sad and miserable as they are shown to be on Pakistani television[/quote]
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.
What projects are you currently working on?
I am working in six serials that are currently on air. These are Hum Thehray Gunahgaar, Mere Qatil Mere Dildar, Dard Ashna, Raakh, Mom and Mere Humdum Mere Dost. And six more plays - Aseer E Zaat, Lafangay, Kafara, Sadqe Tere, Digest Writer and one as yet unnamed play are currently on set. Busy times!
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.