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Faisal Qureshi FAISAL Qureshi has displayed his Faisal Qureshi has displayed his acting talent in movies, television dramas and commercials. He has also directed a TV play. What surprises one about him is that instead of seeking a degree in acting, he pursued one in direction.
Faisal Qureshi has no regrets leading a life of an actor. In fact, he thinks that an actor is fortunate enough to be able to experience and live the life of the men belonging to all spheres of life.
“I find acting extremely interesting because I get to play a variety of roles, ranging from a business tycoon to a sweeper and from a cricketer to a clerk,” Faisal says. He thinks the best thing about his profession is that people love and recognise him.
The difference that studying direction has brought in his professional life is that now he has become a keen observer. It has taught him to concentrate psychologically on characters. He feels that too much importance is given to light, music and camera angles, whereas the main aspect – treatment of the story — is neglected by most directors.
There is only one thing that Faisal loves to do when he has ample time on his hands – playing cricket. He loves to play cricket for the reason that it helps him remain fit.
Since Faisal has worked more on television than films, he cannot stop himself from talking about TV plays. According to him, the standard of TV plays has gone down as we have stopped focusing on the essential characteristics of our own culture. “I remember the time when I worked with directors like Yawar Hayat and Ayub Khawar. There used to be no animation, no special effects, no fancy camera angles,” says the actor-cum-director. “Yet those plays don’t eve lose their charm.”
 Faisal Qureshi dreams of performing on stage. He aspires to share the stage with actors like Humayon Saeed and Sadia Imam. “I would love to do anything to have this tag of vulgarity associated with our theatre removed,” he says. He thinks that theatre is the best place for an artiste to perform as the audience gives an instant response to what it sees.
Faisal is addicted to movies to the extent that he cannot go to sleep at night without watching a movie. “The movies that are being made in Pakistan are the biggest reason for cinema-goers not going to cinemas,” he opines. But the actor is hopeful that the new trend being introduced by Javed Sheikh and Reema will continue. “I think it is a very positive sign, especially if we see that directors like Shoaib Mansoor are making movies. I will always support such directors,” he says.
Some of the Pakistani actors that Faisal Qureshi admires are Nadeem, Uzma Gailani, Talat Hussain, Abid Ali, Noman Ejaz, Firdus Jamal and Qavi Khan. Among the Hollywood stars he appreciates Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Ben Kingsley and Charlize Theron.
Some of the Bollywood actors that Qureshi thinks have excelled in their field are Shabana Azmi whom the actor regards as his favourite actress. “I am unable to comprehend the way she approaches a character. One forgets about the star Shabana for a moment and is captivated by the character she’s playing … and it is the character itself that speaks with you on screen,” he says. He holds the same view about Naseeruddin Shah whose role of a drunkard in a recent movie Iqbal left him spell-bound.
Faisal Qureshi thinks that if there is anyone who can be called a seasoned actress in modern times in Pakistan, it is none other than Sania Saeed. However, he is also impressed with the work of Maria Wasti and Sawera Nadeem.
One movie that Faisal cannot help raving about is The Legend of the Fall. “The movie was made with very few resources but whenever I see the film, it gives me the courage to fight difficulties in life,” he opines.
Apart from that, God Father, Dil Se and Khwahish are the movies that he enjoyed watching and would love to see them again and again.
Goodbye Lenin is another film that Qureshi admires a lot.
The idea of becoming a singer amuses Faisal Qureshi. “I don’t think there is a possibility of that, I don’t even sing in the bathroom,” he says with a mischievous smile on his face. However, he is fond of collecting CDs and cassettes. He has all kinds of music in his library. It includes albums of some of his all time favourite singers — Attaullah Esakhailvi, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hasan, and Madam Noor Jehan.
Music for Faisal Qureshi is something special. “It plays a vital role in creating a mood as well as in changing it. If one looks closely at it, music can overpower a person. It is something that I cannot live without,” he says. Among modern-day singers, he admires Sonu Nigham, Asha Bhosle, Abida Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Michael Bulton and Enrique Iglesias.
 Faisal Qureshi admits that reading books is not his cup of tea. He has never bought a book for himself. “All the books that I have read were gifted to me by my friends,” he says. But Faisal has come across some of the popular books like The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
One of the books that he had read earlier and still remembers is Nikle Teri Talash Main by Mustansar Hussain Tarar. “It is one of the most fascinating travelogues I have ever read,” he says. However, Faisal Qureshi thinks that reading does help a person evolve. Bu he also believes that acting is second best thing after reading.
Favourite Book: Nikle Teri Talash Main by Mustansar Hussain Tarar
Favourite Music: All kinds of music
Favourite Movie: The Legend of the Fall and Goodbye Lenin!
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