KARACHI: Hassan Niazi is a well-known face in Pakistani TV industry who is about to plunge into the film industry with Ashir Azeem’s action thriller MAALIK. The News Tribe caught him for a quick chat about his new movie.
The News Tribe: We’ll start off with your role in MAALIK? What it is about? And if you could also tell a little about MAALIK?
Hassan Niazi: MAALIK is first political action thriller from Dhwan fame Mr Ashir Azeem. He considered me for a role of a feudal who joins politics. Eventually, I end up playing the character of the Chief Minister – so I have two shades, two flavours to my character. One side is this totally illiterate and unkind feudal while on the other side is this educated, sophisticated and well-mannered politician who knows what to say where. He knows how he has to speak, what he has to say to his own party workers. He is really sharp, an evil genius! It was very challenging for me to work with Ashir Azeem on his script. Best part of it was that we shot in Chief Minister’s house.
The News Tribe: Why MAALIK? Was it the role, Ashir Azeem or just a chance to star in a movie?
Hassan Niazi: First charm was Ashir Azeem, absolutely! He called me and told me that he was considering me for this role. At first I was a bit reluctant as I have done a lot of negative roles in TV too and I didn’t want to to accept such a negative role for my first appearance in a film. But after meeting Ashir Azeem and getting his briefing on the role, I was convinced. I studied a lot of Pakistani politicians; their mannerisms, the way they speak and look for this role.
The News Tribe: Where was the filming done for MAALIK?
Hassan Niazi: It was done purely in Pakistan. Every part of the film, from shooting to editing to all post production work was done here. It has been shot in interior Sindh and Balochistan. We also shot in the Chief Minister’s House.
The News Tribe: How is MAALIK different from the current crop of the films releasing these days?
Hassan Niazi: It is very different, it is not just entertainment. It is unlike all films that have been released in the last few years. It is the first political thriller, I would say. MAALIK might carve out the way for a new genre in the film industry.
The News Tribe: Of what we have seen in the promos, MAALIK aims to make a difference to the general mentality of an average Pakistani. Do you believe MAALIK will make a difference in the film industry, to our country or to the way people think?
Hassan Niazi: Maybe not to the film industry, except that it will provide a film of a different genre. I can’t say if it will make that big of a difference but one thing I know for sure is that our masses will be able to relate to it. Incidentally, recent events in our political situation match with what we have shown and discussed in the film.
The News Tribe: How is Ashir Azeem to work with?
Hassan Niazi: It is amazing to work with him. It was an honour working on a film with him and on his script. He is a thorough professional. He knows the kind of work he needs to extract from each actor.
The News Tribe: Do you think that the enigma and the charisma surrounding him since Dhwan might overshadow all other actors in the film?
Hassan Niazi: No, not at all. The script is such that every character has its own tone and own flavor. No one character could outshine the other. And we all have worked with Ashir Azeem closely to create a flawless final product that does justice to each and every character.
The News Tribe: Any upcoming film projects?
Hassan Niazi: Yes, I again want to do something substantial after MAALIK. I’m talking and working with a few people and lets see what pans out.
The News Tribe: Thank You Hassan!
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