I find Kareena Kapoor really hot: Ahsan Khan

Ahsan Khan is a Pakistani film and television actor, host and performer. He began his acting career in the year 1998 and has appeared in Pakistani films like Nikah, Ishq Khuda and later moved on to television. He has since appeared in many different drama serials and soaps like Emaan, Khoya Khoya Chand and Heer Ranjha amongst the others.

Ahsan also anchored a quiz show in Pakistan called Hayya Allal Falah in 2012.

On Zindagi, Ahsan can be seen in Mere Qatil Mere Dildaar playing the role of protagonist Umer who is in love with Maham (played by Mehwish Hayat). Umer is married to Maham and is always caught up between his responsibilities towards his family and Maham. In MQMD, Ahsan’s character is of a very gullible person who is easily manipulative and believes in people instantly.

Your show Mere Qatil Mere Dildaar has now released in India. How do you feel about this?

I am glad that Indian viewers can witness my work on their television screens. The show, MQMD, premiered recently on Zindagi and I have been receiving many calls and emails from my friends in India. I did MQMD almost two years ago in Pakistan and the show is very close to my heart. It is an exciting moment for me that MQMD is one of my first shows to release on Zindagi in India.

Tell us something about your show MQMD?

MQMD is a story of two men and a woman. It is basically a love story with family drama. The message that MQMD gives is how families can make or break a marriage and how a family plays a pivotal role in the success of a relationship.

Tell us something about your role in MQMD and how much you relate with your character.

I play the protagonist Umer in MQMD. Umer is way too innocent and gets easily manipulated by anyone. Umer is a very lovey-dovey guy who finds himself in a fix when he wants to balance his relationship with his wife and also the expectations of his family. I don’t relate a lot with Umer, I don’t think anyone would. He is too good to be true. I am not as innocent as he is.

With Zindagi airing your show, you think you’ll get offers from Bollywood filmmakers now?

Well I hope so. But it’s not about Bollywood offers for me. I am glad that Indians can now see our work and know that Pakistani culture is not very different from that of India. More than the happiness of my talent being recognised in India, I am excited about this initiative that will bring India and Pakistan closer than ever. Artists from India and Pakistan put together, have a lot of talent as compared to any other in the world probably. Through this initiative of Zindagi, India will get a glimpse of Pakistan every day.

Have you ever considered working in Indian soaps and what kind of roles do you like to play?

Yes, why not? I would love to if the project offered to me is good and convinces me. I am very selective about my work and I only take up projects which I think I can do justice with. I have portrayed several roles within my time in the entertainment industry so far. I love challenging roles which tend to push me to perform better.

Pakistani drama industry is bigger than Pakistani film industry. Please comment.

Yes, that is true. Television is a big deal in Pakistan because the film industry is still in its evolution stage. Pakistani dramas are a mirror image of the social issues and our day-to-day realities. They are very deglamorized and natural. Pakistani artists, passionate about acting, always want to find their place in the drama industry here. Pakistani film industry is also picking up pace.

In the earlier days, we only had Sindhi, Punjabi movies made in Pakistan. Pakistani film industry was almost nonexistent. A lot of young talented artists have now begun making movies here and the industry is now evolving. Pakistan has released almost 50 movies so far. While dramas here, as we all know, are a very big industry in itself.

Many Pakistani artists have been a part of reality shows in India; would you like to do something like that?

I would love to be a part of reality shows in India. Many of my fellow Pakistani artists who have been a part of such shows have shared great experiences. It will be interesting to meet artists from the Indian entertainment industry and also interact with Indian viewers.

Your take on Fawad Khan’s debut in Bollywood?

I am very happy for him. I think he is very talented and this is a well-deserved opportunity for him. Comparisons are bound to be made but that doesn’t affect me. Fawad and I share a very cordial relation, we are friends. With Fawad and other Pakistani actors now entering the Indian film industry, doors for other aspiring actors have also opened.

Have you ever considered working in Bollywood films?

Like I said before, if a good project is offered to me, I would love to do Bollywood films. Almost two years ago, I had met with Deepti Naval and she had offered me a film. I visited Mumbai to discuss the film with her thereafter. The movie didn’t take off for some reason, but I am glad I got to interact with a talented actor like Deepti Naval. So I am very open to good opportunities in Bollywood that are challenging where I can try and test my skills to its fullest.

If you get a chance to do a Bollywood movie, you think you’ll be as popular as Fawad Khan is in India?

I have never given this a thought ever. Every actor has his own charm and what works for one, may not work for the other. With the inception of Zindagi channel, Bollywood is not my primary focus. I am just glad that my work so far will now be showcased in India as well and Indian viewers will get a glimpse of our culture.

If given an opportunity, which Indian filmmaker would you like to work with?

There are many whose works I have enjoyed over time. Filmmakers like Farhan Akhtar, Imtiaz Ali, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar are all great and talented filmmakers. I loved Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar. I am a big Prabhudeva fan! I loved R… Rajkumar and Rowdy Rathore.

Any Indian female actor on your wish list?

Yet another tough question. Well I find Kareena Kapoor really hot. Also, Alia Bhatt is not just a cute face but also an amazing actor. Her role in Highway was commendable. I would love to work with Vidya Balan, she is a brilliant actor indeed.

Tell us something about your earlier years before you got into acting.

I was born in England. My parents decided to move back to Pakistan when I was 16 years old.

You have an identical twin?

Yes, I have a twin brother who is older than me by a few minutes. He resides in England at the moment and is a computer engineer. We have had an amazing childhood because we looked so much like each other that it used to get confusing for our parents even. We both have our lives and families now and we also don’t resemble each other that much anymore. He has grown to be a lot chubbier than we used to be (hahaha…)

You are multitalented. We’ve heard that you sing as well?

Yes. I am also a singer. I have sung songs for a few dramas of mine here in Pakistan. I enjoy singing a lot. Apart from singing and acting, I also host shows on television, events addressing social issues, etc. I recently hosted a live show that was aired on television for 4 hours every day for a month. This show was a blend of addressing social issues, entertaining performances and interviews.

Who is you favorite Khan in Bollywood?

All three. Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir, I love them equally. They’re very popular in Pakistan as well.

Have you ever been to India?

Yes I have. I’ve been to Mumbai once about two years ago. I loved the city and I would like to visit other cities that I have on my bucket list.

How many serials have you done so far?

I have had an amazing career as far as dramas are considered; I have worked in over 60 Pakistani dramas.

Tell us something about yourself.

I believe in enjoying my life as much as I can. I love travelling to new places. I also like spending quality time with friends and family when I am not working. I am also a big time foodie and I enjoy horse riding.