In a recent interview with BBC Urdu, renowned Pakistani actor Mikaal Zulfiqar unfolded his groundbreaking portrayal as Sherry in the TV serial "Jaise Apki Marzi." The actor explored the intricacies of his character, discussed the challenges of tackling intense roles, and shared candid reflections on the dynamics of the Pakistani entertainment industry.
Additionally, he addressed the issue of India exploiting Pakistani artists. Mikaal commenced by shedding light on Sherry's unique character, recognizing the rarity of roles that unabashedly confront their toxicity. He attributed the compelling narrative to the scriptwriter, who deviated from the conventional female-driven dramas.
“Toxic people never admit they’re toxic. But we need to credit Sherry for at least being who he is on your face. I would also like to credit the writer for this great script. I said yes to Sherry because it was a driving character. Usually, our dramas are female-driven and the female character is pushing the narrative forward. But in this case, it was the other way around.”
Mikaal Zulfiqar Exposes Level of Selfishness in Industry
The actor admitted to a certain level of selfishness in accepting the role, driven by the belief that Sherry's complexity would allow him to showcase his acting prowess. Despite Sherry's dominating and overpowering demeanour in scenes with Alizeh's character, Mikaal found a margin for artistic expression, and the positive reception from the audience affirmed his decision. “To be honest, there was nothing good about Sherry, in all the scenes he is dominating Alizeh’s character, he is overpowering, and so, it didn’t inspire me in real life. But as an actor, I saw a lot of margin. You could say, I was selfish while accepting this script because I felt I could shine. And I did so, that’s wonderful.”
When asked about encountering individuals like Sherry, Mikaal drew inspiration from society, personal experiences, and interactions with narcissistic personalities. Reflecting on the challenging scenes, Mikaal emphasized his commitment to maintaining a natural flow in his performance. He stated, “I tried to keep things natural, and that’s what I’m getting compliments for as well. I didn’t try to force anything. I could’ve taken pauses, delivered my dialogues with emphasis on certain words, but I wanted to deliver everything fluently. People are calling it my best performance till date, and I wouldn’t disagree with that.”
