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Nadeem
Nadeem A Living Legend
 He is the heartthrob of the nation, an iconic film star who has been entertaining us with his exceptional acting skills for the last 4 decades. Mirza Nazeer Baig, famously known as Nadeem is a living legend of Pakistani cinema, he made his sensational debut with Chakori and since then he has not looked back. The great actor has several successful movies to his credit and has played a variety of roles with equal ease and expertise. He has won 14 consecutive Nigar Awards from 1979 to 1992. The Presidential Pride of Performance Award is a proof of the services he has rendered for Pakistani cinema. Recently MAG contacted the legendary artist and asked him about his life. Excerpts:
How did you break into showbiz?
I would call it an accident. My father was transferred to East Pakistan and I went there to meet him. During my stay in Dhaka I met Captain Ehtisham. At my request he took a chance and let me sing for his upcoming film Chakori. The circumstances somehow moved in my favour and I also got a chance to play the lead role in the film. Initially I was a bit reluctant to accept the film offer as I did not feel that acting was one of my strong points but fate had decided something different for me and I ended up playing a lead role in the film. Fortunately the film was a mega hit. People liked my performance and singing and that's how it all began.
You are regarded as one of the best actors in the Pakistani film industry. What can you tell us about your success?
I don't think that I have some exceptional qualities that made me a star; it was all about timing when I got into showbiz. I got a chance to work with some great writers, directors, producers, co-stars and poets. They all supported me and contributed a lot to my success. Other than that it was my hard work that got me noticed. I strongly believe that with hard work and dedication anyone can excel in their field. I always do my job with sincerity and hard work and leave the result up to God. He always gives me more than I ask for.
How did you first handle the fame?
It is always very difficult to handle the fame that comes with being a successful actor. It is even more difficult for one to keep their feet on the ground. Moreover, when a person gets used to success he wants it more and then there is no end. For me, acting was always an ordinary job, I never considered myself a star and never let the fame get to my head.
What things do you consider before accepting a film offer?
My first priority is to see if the character I have been assigned suits my personality (physically and psychologically). A producer usually casts a particular actor in their film while considering the movies box office value but it is the responsibility of the actor to decide if he can do justice to the role or not. In commercial cinema there is hardly any need for deep study, most of our lead roles do not require a lot of consideration but I have always been very selective about the work I do.
They say that every director is so different from every other one, what role does the director play in making a film?
Television and films are the director's mediums; he can bring out the best in everyone one. From the technical crew to the actors, the director controls the artistic and dramatic aspects of the film. For me he is the key member of the film unit who can turn a bad drama into a good one. He can hide the loose ends of a performance by tactfully dealing with it.
 How important are facial expressions and body language in acting?
An artist should have good command over his body language. He can bring a character to life with the right movement of his hands, facial expressions and gestures. An actor cannot leave his mark on viewers unless there is perfection in his acting, facial expressions, body language and
vocal tone.
Have you ever done theatre?
I have never done theatre because I always considered myself a director's boy. Theatre is an actor's medium and once an actor is on the stage it is up to him how well he or she plays their character. In theatre once an actor is on the stage the burden is on his shoulders and he has to entertain the masses without retakes or breaks. Every performance has to be exceptional and flawless and there is no margin for error.
Have your ever done a full fledged comedy film?
I have done comic characters in several films. My second film Chottay Saab was a comedy flick. Other comedy films include Nadan and Anari. I always found playing comic roles more entertaining than serious ones.
Did you ever play a negative role?
I played a negative role in Samaj. That was a time when I was at the peak of my career and everyone warned me against doing a negative role at that time as they thought it would spoil my image as a hero and no one would ever cast me in a leading role. But I took a risk and played the role of a villain. Later I was proved right as my performance in a negative role was highly appreciated.
You have also worked in Bollywood, can you tell us a little about that?
I worked in an Indian film titled, Door Desh. The story revolved around a psychic person who kidnapped a girl but later fell in love with her. The film was shot in North America and Canada. It was a wonderful experience and I found the people of Indian film industry very professional.
Have you ever thought of doing another film for Bollywood?
I have received a few offers recently but I rejected them because I did not find them interesting. If a good offer comes my way I would definitely give it a chance.
Please tell us about your production house?
I have a small production house named 'Lens & Light'. I made a drama version of the film Aina under its banner which was directed by my son. Another drama serial is under production which is also being directed by my elder son. However, producing a film under the same banner is not on my agenda right now.
When you were at the peak of your career was it difficult to take out time for your family?
Taking out time for my family had never been an issue for me because I always did very selective work. I used to tell my producers that I would work only in early shifts; the rest of my time was for family and friends. It was known to all my producers and directors that I do not work more than my capacity. Even at the peak of my career I took a day off either on Sunday or Friday so that I could spend more time with my family.
How difficult was the transition from leading roles to character roles?
It wasn't difficult for me at all because I have very gracefully accepted that it is the right time to move to character roles. I played leading roles when I was younger and now at my age I cannot romance a young girl by singing and dancing in a garden. My age does not allow me to do so.
The Pakistani film industry has given you so much. Have you thought of giving something back in return, in the form of good films?
I have produced two films. My first film was Mitti Ke Putle that highlighted the serious labour capitalist problem. It was not a success at the box office since it projected the bleak picture of our society but it was awarded by the Russian media. I also produced a Punjabi film Mukhra, which was a hit. At present the condition of our industry is very bad and I cannot afford to invest, hence my complete concentration is on producing dramas.
 How different was it to work on television after being part of the film industry for a long time?
It was of course a little difficult because of the difference in both mediums, but I soon got used to it. There is also a difference of pace in films and television. In films, the whole story has to be narrated within two and a half hours while in a drama there is a lot of time since it runs for 13-14 episodes and the story moves slowly and gradually. I adjusted myself to television but I do not know how far I have succeeded.
Bollywood acting legend Amitabh Bachchan has made a huge comeback in films. Should we expect the same from you?
I have not left the film industry, it is my first priority and I feel more comfortable while working in movies. I have only taken back seat because our industry is not producing good films. It needs time to be able to produce good films again. On the contrary the Indian film industry is booming and providing more opportunities to actors to explore their talent. As for Amitabh, he is a legendary actor. I have not seen anyone more hard working and dedicated than him. He has the talent to make an ordinary character memorable. He gets a push from directors, producers and writers who write scripts keeping him in mind. If our industry was in better condition I would definitely prefer working in films rather than television.
Do you think actors lead normal lives?
Of course their lives are normal except that they become owned by the public. During my college days I used to play cricket a lot. I had played cricket in almost all the grounds of Nazimabad and Paposh Nagar. I loved going out with friends and eating out but I cannot roam around like a common man now since I am a known face and people recognise me whenever I step out of my house. I have to be very cautious about my words and actions so that the feelings of my fans won't get hurt.
What do you think is important for one to be successful – talent or academics?
No one can deny the importance of education. It is important whether a person is running a small pan shop or a multinational company. It is education that brings positive changes in our lives, our mindset and opens our horizons. If an actor is talented, academics would help in further grooming his personality.
How is film star Nadeem as a person?
I am a normal human being and I have both positive and negative aspects of my personality. I am a simple person and I never consider myself a film star, it is just a job for me that I try to do with perfection.
Have you ever tried to analyse yourself as a person?
I keep analysing myself every moment. The problem with an actor is that he portrays different characters in films and his original personality gets lost somewhere. It will be better if one is able to get out of it and maintain his personality. In my case, the traits that I have inherited from my family dominate my personality.
Who is your favourite actor?
Well, the list of my favourite artists is very long, it not only includes senior artists but a few juniors too. Dilip Kumar is my all time favourite actor. People used to say that I copy him, but it is not true. I was highly inspired by him. In the beginning I tried to copy his acting style but later on I developed my own style in acting.
You hosted a couple of TV shows but you did not carry on with hosting. Would you host a program again?
Yes I hosted Meray Nadeem on PTV but I could not continue it because I had to go abroad. I have also hosted a show on a private channel. In the future if I receive a good offer I will definitely
do it.
Tell us about your dream character/role?
There isn't any character that I would call my dream role. I just want to perform a character in which there is a margin of performance. I like to play challenging roles that no other actor wants to do.
Have you ever thought about training youngsters in the field of acting?
No, I never thought of it because I feel that if someone does so individually, the main purpose may be to generate income. I don't think it is the work of a single person. Joint efforts of an experienced group of people are needed who can impart their wisdom and expertise to students. A professional degree should also be awarded to recognise the efforts of students.
Do you have any regrets in life?
No, I do not have any regrets. People like me and their prayers are always with me. What else could I want?
A film actor never dies as compared to television, how do you see this statement?
Film is a larger than life medium and the effects of film cannot be felt on television. A person can watch TV in his living room while doing other work, but to watch a film he steps out of his home and goes to the cinema to experience the pleasure of a film. As he is investing his money in buying a ticket he is bound to watch each and every scene with full concentration. He judges the performance of the actor and rates them accordingly. But on television, a drama serial has many episodes and we sometimes miss the most powerful scene of a performer. Thus the impact of a film actor has always been more as compared to a TV actor.
You are a part of our film industry. Can you please share with us the reasons for the downfall of our industry?
The first reason was the division of Pakistan. We lost a key station, Dhaka because of it. Then many genuine film makers either died or left the industry and the film industry was taken over by uneducated people. They spoiled the industry for their vested interests.
 What can be done to revive our film industry?
Our industry will rise from the ashes only when educated and young people feel ready to step in. The process has already started out with Shoaib Mansoor's Khuda Ke Liye and Bol. Mehreen Jabbar has also made a good film. We need more good film-makers and films that can bring people back to the cinemas. A few steps should also be taken by the government to improve the condition. We have the necessary infrastructure in Karachi and it can be used to make some great movies.
Do you miss the film industry?
Of course I miss it a lot. Whatever I am today is all because of our film industry. I used to think that our movies would be much more progressive in the coming years and we would get more opportunities to work but sadly it did not happen. Instead of moving forward we went backwards.
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