Ahsan Khan to play the eternal romantic Ranjha

If there’s one Pakistani actor who is has piqued the interest of every TV and film director in town, it has to be Ahsan Khan. Although Khan has been around for more than a decade — during which he did some forgettable plays and films — this talented half-British-half-Pakistani actor is on a career high off late.

Perhaps his most challenging role to date was last year’s successful television drama Udaari, in which Khan played a paedophile. Khan pulled off this difficult role, coming up trumps in his villainous turn.

He has since been lapping up compliments and best actor trophies. Now, he’s got big production houses approaching him, not just from television and cinema, but for theatre as well. His latest venture is an international stage play, titled Ishq, which opens at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, in September.

PLAY TIME

For any other actor at such an important point in his career, an experiment of this sort might be a no-no. Not for Khan who says: “I’ve always wanted to try unusual things. I like to diversify.”

Speaking exclusively to Gulf News tabloid! during rehearsals, Khan revealed the play is an English-language musical, based on the legend of the doomed lovers, Heer-Ranjha. Interestingly, Khan earlier portrayed the titular role of the flute-playing hero in a PTV serial as well. But he sees theatre as a “learning opportunity” and also a “break from the run-of-the-mill.”

Produced by Serendip, an Islamabad-based INGO, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission in England, the play is “an attempt to present our soft image abroad. The best part is that I get to sing live and dance also,” he said, excitedly.

Khan said Ishq has afforded him a chance to slip into dancing shoes, something he loves doing. The actor is considered one of the best dancers among the present crop of male actors.

For the play, Khan is accompanied by actor Adnan Jaffer (who plays Qaidu) and indie pop singer Rachel Viccaji (as Seti). Rasheeda Ali is essaying the role of Heer.

When quizzed about playing Ranjha again, Khan said: “I must confess that I am an unabashed romantic in real life, and so I am always drawn to such characters. And, few characters are as romantic as Ranjha. He is a proud young man who leaves his home determined to marry Heer, the fairest belle in town, and vows not to return until he has married her.

“I share Ranjha’s sense of pride, and his confidence, and the selfless nature of his love. I respect the many sacrifices he makes in pursuit of his lady love. I also enjoy seeing him evolve as a person, as the story progresses. So, I believe I was born to play the role [of Ranjha].”

Khan revealed that the stage play would have a “short run. They wanted me for a longer time, but I could only spare 25 days.”

FILM CONNECTION

Khan also has two feature films up for release — Rehbra, where he is seen romancing Ayesha Omar, and Chhupan Chhupai with Urwa Hocane. The actor also has a host of TV plays lined up.

He is also in talks with “two directors from India, for festival films. I’m reading the scripts right now.”

His short film for Zee TV, Mohabbat Ki Aakhri Kahaani (2016), which stars Saba Qamar in the lead, has already been doing the festival rounds. He is also starting his game show for kids.

His hands are full, as of now.

Khan admitted that even though his repertoire of acting roles had got him recognition and awards variously before, it was Udaari that proved to be the game-changer and catapulted him to the top leagues. So much so that “everybody now wants to cast me in negative roles. I must’ve refused at least three plays, because I don’t want to repeat myself.”

Udaari also inspired him to write a book on “the very serious issue [of child abuse]. I felt compelled to do so,” he said.