Daily Minute Mirror got in touch with Sohail Sameer, the veteran actor who started his career as a model but made it to the drama industry with sheer determination and hard-work.
Sohail Sameer appeared mostly as a passionate lover in Pakistani drama serials from the early 2000s, such as ‘Na Jaane Kyun’, ‘Kaheen Tum Kaheen Hum’ and ‘Mohabbat Ab Nahi Hogi’. These days, Sohail Sameer is usually observed playing the roles of doting fathers and considerate elder brothers, and executes them in a manner which makes the viewers believe that no one else could have done a better job. ‘Suno Chanda’, ‘Malaal-e-Yaar’, ‘Juda Hue Kuch Iss Tarha’ and ‘Ishq e Laa’ are just a few examples from Sohail Sameer’s illustrious career who will soon be seen in some cinematic productions as well.
What is your education and how did you happen to enter the drama industry?
I was not able to complete my graduation and I entered the showbiz industry in 2002, as a model.
From the start of your career up till now, what is the most important lesson which you have learnt as a part of our showbiz industry?
Patience and hard-work are two things which I have come to believe in wholeheartedly. These two things help you survive in the industry.
Which is your personal favourite project and why?
I recently got done with the shooting of a film written and directed by Saim Sadiq. It’s an international project tentatively titled ‘Joy Land’. It definitely has to be the best project of my life for its highly interesting script and over-all grandeur, considering that it’s probably going to be one of the best international films to emerge from Pakistan.
You and Saba Qamar entered the entertainment industry almost at the same time and you did a lot of projects together. Do you recall those times whenever you meet?
We haven’t met in a very long time, actually.
What methodology do you adopt when you receive a script? How do you step into a character and how much time do you give to it?
I have been doing this for 20 years and do multiple projects simultaneously. So, I set my priorities. I decide which project I am comfortable with and then shift my entire focus towards it. This way, it doesn’t take me long to step into a character and understand its nuances.
Is there any such project of yours which you wish you hadn’t done?
I have learnt from all of my projects. All of them have given me my living and the stardom that I enjoy. I thankfully have no regrets.
How often do you reject a script and why?
It depends on the money I am offered, and also on time. I don’t go for a project if I feel I won’t be able to manage my time accordingly.
Name one writer and one director with whom you wish to work but haven’t been given the opportunity up till now.
Saif-e-Hassan and Farooq Rind are two directors I would love to work with.
What do you do when you are not acting?
I observe people around me and try to learn how human psyche works and why humans behave the way they do. To put it in a humorous manner, when I am not acting, I learn from those who are acting in real life.
What would you have been had you not chosen acting as your career?
I might have continued to work as a marketing manager.
In this age of social media, how do you handle social media trolling? Has a comment ever badly affected your mental health?
I don’t pay attention to trolls at all. I try my best to stay away from any kind of negativity or any such thing which has a tendency to disturb my mental peace.
Being an actor, how difficult is it to hang out in public?
It’s a very humble and warm feeling to have people coming to you after recognizing and then asking to have a picture or two. The people I have come across have always been respectful of my privacy. People’s fan-moments with me have usually been very pleasant experiences, I must say.
What are your upcoming projects? Are there any films in pipeline?
I have worked in four films, all of which are releasing soon; ‘Joy Land’, ‘Chaudhry – the Martyr’, ‘Rehbara’ and ‘Chaand Chehra’.
What message would you like to give to young aspiring actors out there?
Instead of just focusing on social media presence, looks and hype, it’s much better to invest in yourself and your career with perseverance and hard-work.
Our television content keeps receiving mixed response, mostly negative for portraying more or less similar issues. What is your personal take on our drama content? Are there any suggestions which you would like to give?
Our dramas need to pay equal attention to the problems which men in our society go through. Our content is entirely woman-oriented, and even when it comes to issues pertaining to the female gender, we have started repeating similar stories over and over again. There’s a need for change, in our content as well as in our targeted audience.
Being from Lahore, does it make you sad how our Lahore based industry seems to have completely collapsed?
Yes, it’s deplorable how our industry from Lahore has completely collapsed, especially when the city is considered to be a hub of culture. Unfortunately, people from the industry themselves are responsible for this demise. Still, I’m hopeful that stories from Lahore will re-emerge and play a part in promoting Pakistan’s collective culture.
Which project of yours do you think became your breakthrough? Does ‘Suno Chanda’ have an important part to play in your career?
My first commercial was my breakthrough, I believe. Yes, ‘Suno Chanda’ too, was a big highlight in my career. It gave me a hype once again, for which I appreciate all the people involved in its making.
You have worked with some wonderful writers throughout your career. Who is your personal favourite? Do you have any suggestions for the writers working currently?
My favourite writers are Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and Umera Ahmed. To contemporary writers, I would suggest to come up with your own, original writings instead of copying others or asking them to write for you.
Quick questions:
Your favourite food?
Daal Chaawal
Your favourite holiday resort?
I want to go to Maldives very soon
Your favourite singer?
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Your favourite film?
‘The Reverend’
Your favourite book?
I don’t get much time to read books.
Your favourite co-star?
Hajra Khan
Your star?
I am an Aquarian
