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Gohar Mumtaz
 Mag4you.com: How were you approached for this venture?
I was sitting in my studio when I got a call from Nini (the director) and he told me about this role. I declined at first because I thought I'd be too busy with Jal to do justice to the role. Nini was persistent and called me again one day and asked if we could meet up. I give full marks to Nini for convincing me. He told me to read the script first. I loved the script and my role because it was totally film based and funny. The script reminded me of the old PTV/NTM dramas I used to watch. I agreed on the terms that I can only take time for shoots on free days.
Mag4you.com: What is your role in the drama?
My name in the drama is Shawn, a character who is a tension free boy and believes in living life in the moment. He never plans anything and strongly trusts his sixth sense and instincts. He is a carefree guy who's been sent to Pakistan to get married. He has to live with his uncle where he makes observations, both good and bad, about Pakistani culture.
Mag4you.com: Tell us about the play?
The shoots have been done at different places in Pakistan, showing the beauty of Northern areas, villages, mountains and some beautiful locations in Lahore. That's why the director named it Kountry Luv. It has covered all the good places, things, problems of Pakistan, and also shown the feudal mentality, the behaviour of rich people towards poor. The drama also criticizes the system in a very hilarious way.
Mag4you.com: How challenging was this role?
It was actually challenging acting for the first time, where not only did you have to act, but you also had to dance. I had to work very hard to do justice to the role. I didn't have camera fear, but acting is a different ballgame. Nini had given me a free hand to improvise. He would only give us feedback. Even Farhat Abdullah (who plays Zaik), helped me a lot, gave me tips on what looked good or bad.
 Mag4you.com: What's up with musicians joining this medium apart from music?
I think musicians must explore this medium too since drama has become the biggest medium in Pakistan. I wanted to act a long time back but I never got time away from Jal. I had been offered two Indian movie roles back in 2006 and 2008, but the scripts were too Indian and bold for me. I didn't think I'd be able to watch these movies with my parents.
The review I got from unbiased people after watching promo was that I acted naturally and it didn't seem fabricated. The key was the homework I did for the play and the hard work and passion I performed with.
Mag4you.com: When are you planning to hit the silver screen like Ali Zafar and Atif?
Pretty soon. Kountry Luv has been an eye opening experience for me and given me a good start.
Mag4you.com: How different is acting in music videos from acting for a drama?
It's totally different. In music videos all you have to do is lip sync whereas in a drama you need to watch your body language, your facial expressions, etc. It is actually way more difficult than shooting a music video.
Mag4you.com: Does one require proper training for acting?
One does require training but in Pakistan the seniors are our academies. We can learn this art by working with them. I had a great experience and learned a lot of things while working in Kountry Luv.
Mag4you.com: Who is your inspiration as a TV actor?
I'm very inspired by Aamir Khan's way of working for being natural. I also admire Noman Ejaz and Salman Shahid .
Mag4you.com: Do you think anyone can act?
No! I didn't know that I can act. It was my director and producer Rashid Khawaja who saw me somewhere on TV and decided to give me the role. Directors have an unbiased opinion about these things I think because they are experienced they know what to look for. One cannot judge themselves if they can act or not.
Mag4you.com: Do you think you can act?
People will decide. I have given my 100 per cent and I really enjoyed doing it. I personally feel that I can improvise very well but of course the audience will decide if I can act.
Mag4you.com: Were you nervous at all?
I was not nervous to be very honest. I worked with a great team and I have great memories with all of them. I loved my character and this play has made me learn a lot about acting. This was an excellent experience, different, but great.
Mag4you.com: Any funny or memorable incident on the sets?
There were a lot of funny incidents. But one was that we had to shoot at Khan Pur Dam. It was a very scary rest house where they wanted us to stay. My director told the local guys to tell a story to the cast so they won't be able to sleep at night. They pointed to a house from the balcony of our guest house and said that a lady ghost lives here. She would knock on your doors after 12. Don't be scared, pretend to sleep. That's when I rethought my reasons for doing the play.
 Mag4you.com: Are you planning on entering the modeling business?
I'll decide it project wise as far as modeling, acting are concerned because my main focus is music. I did Kountry Luv because it is lively, lighthearted, music-oriented and where I actually enjoyed acting as the script was youth based.
Mag4you.com: Finally, what's up with Jal?
After a massive response to Coke Studio, Jal are recording their next album these days and are in the studios. The album is expected to release in November. Right after completing this album, the band is leaving for India and a three-week USA tour.
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