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.”

The conversation then shifted to the impact of intense characters on an actor. Mikaal acknowledged that the roles an actor plays can leave a lasting mark, prompting him to be selective about the characters he portrays. He said, “Even if you’re acting, you’re still performing an act (real or not) that that character would. I understood this seven years ago, and I became very careful about the kind of characters I play. When I was offered the character that Ahsan Khan plays in Udaari, that of a child molester, I rejected it because I didn’t want to play that out. I have daughters of my own.”

Mikaal Zulfiqar Discusses “Jaise Apki Marzi”

Discussing Jaise Apki Marzi, Mikaal highlighted the drama’s focus on red flags in relationships. “Jaise Apki Marzi is about the red flags we tend to overlook in relationships earlier on and its consequences later in life. Mostly women can relate to it because they feel their husbands or their ex-husbands were exactly like this. It saddens me. I think, if this drama can help people spot these red flags earlier on, it’s served its purpose. And this isn’t just for women, but men too. Women can be toxic as well.”

In a candid revelation, Mikaal also addressed his experiences working in India, noting that while he has received positive feedback from Indians, he believes Pakistani artists have been exploited in the Indian entertainment industry. He clarified that his comments weren’t fuelled by animosity but a call for a levelled playing field. “I said what I said based on my own experience and everyone knows the history behind this working relationship. Not just me but a lot of artists have been exploited in India. Deep down, Indians are great, so much of my feedback I get from Indians and I have a lot of interaction with them. But some parts of India or some people, especially the Indian establishment, whenever they get the chance, they paint us in a negative light. To be clear, I don’t have any enmity against them, but the playing field needs to be levelled.

Also Read: For the First Time, Mikaal Zulfiqar Shares His Divorce Reasons.