‘Lights, camera, and action’ echoed director Nadeem Baig in the lobby of the old building of Bristol Hotel in Karachi. His words were taken as command and actors Humayun Saeed and Mehwish Hayat immediately got ready to shoot an intense scene for their upcoming serial Dillagi.
Written by Faiza Iftikhar and directed by Nadeem Baig, the play features the beautiful couple, Mehwish Hayat and Humayun Saeed. The trio (the director and the lead pair) impressed us in blockbuster film Jawani Phir Nahi Aani – and now they are back again inDillagi.
The shooting of the serial just started in Karachi where HIP got a sneak peek of the sets and chance to have a chat with the drama’s cast and crew. Take a look at how a day on the sets of Dillagi panned out…
A decent bedroom set was staged in one of the rooms of the hotel where Hayat and Saeed were rehearsing their lines and getting ready to give the final take.
Wearing a purple short kurti and shalwar Hayat was aptly representing an ordinary housewife in the serial whereas Saeed was dressed up in white Shalwar Kameez.
A photo posted by HIPinPakistan (@hipinpk) on Nov 25, 2015 at 12:05am PST
The director, whose JPNA was a blockbuster film, found working on television as equally passionate.
“In our country television serves as a great source of entertainment. All those stars that you now love on silver screen are actual production of television. I began my career from small screen and it has always been a pleasure to work it again and again,” he said.
Humayun Saeed, who was last seen in drama serial Kaafir in 2011 is all set to essay a role of a romantic hero in Dillagi. He also remained reluctant in sharing details about his role in the drama.
“The only thing I can tell you now is that i am again playing a romantic hero in the serial and it’s great to be back on television,” Saeed said.
Saeed admitted that it was an intentional effort to do a serial after working two hit films at box office (Bin Roye and JPNA).
“Usually, after a successful film, people don’t expect actors to return to television. To break this stereotype I intentionally planned a drama serial after doing two successful films,” he said,
Humayun Saeed’s character in Dillagi doesn’t require him to wear too many colours so he opted for a wardrobe primarily consisting of black and white attire designed by Jazib Qamar.
When asked if there was any difference in working on television as compared to film, Saeed said being an artist both mediums require equal dedication and hard work.
“Being an actor I try to give 100 percent for every scene I do: it doesn’t matter if it’s for a drama serial or a film. The actual difference is from the director’s perspective. The way he treats a scene for a film is totally different from television. As an actor we just need to do the progression of character according to his requirements.”
Lastly we got a chance to talk to the gorgeous Mehwish Hayat who had just finished shooting her scenes for the day and was delighted to return home after a hectic day.
The actress has proved her versatility time and again by giving power packed performances, but it was her dance number in Na Maloom Afraad which somehow put a label of an item girl on her. Hayat however, disagreed.
“I don’t believe that an item girl label has been attached to me as after me a lot of girls have done such songs. Since I was the first one to do such a song, they kind of associate it with me; which in fact is a compliment to me as I did it in a way that audience find it difficult to get out of it’s spell even after two years,” she said.
However, the actress maintained that the success of her debut film Jawani Phir Nahi Aanihas proved that she is much more than just an item girl.
Coming back to Dillagi, she said it has been a wonderful experience to work again on television.
“I have signed a serial after almost two years and I am thoroughly enjoying it as television has always been my first home. I learned my basics from here,” she said.
Hayat further added that whether it was a film or drama, she always does her homework for it.
“I always do proper research before shooting for any serial; the background of the character, which class she belong to, and what the characteristics of her personality should be. Then I sit down with director and create the right look for the specific role – from the wardrobe to the right feel,” she stated.
She further said that a good actor should have a command of molding herself in the required character.
Currently, Dillagi shoot has been going on in the metropolis and the play will likely air in the first half of next year.
