An accomplished actor, Haris Waheed is a balanced combination of genetic good looks, talent and hard work. For him being a star was as a far-fetched dream but today he has all those showbiz ingredients running in his veins. Join Social Diary to get to know his journey and how he came to this point in the Showbiz.
Who is Haris Waheed? Tell us about yourself (your background, education, lifestyle etc.)
I am still looking for the answer to this question, I still have not figured out who Haris Waheed is. As far as my background is considered I was born in Karachi, and I always knew that I wanted to act. I was a huge fan of Shahrukh Khan, which led me to act from a young age; however my family wanted me to have a stable career such as CA, mostly because of our financial position. So I did my B.Com, and then I had to appear for CA exams, but before that I went to NAPA. Sadly even there I could not complete my studies due to financial constraints.
How did you get started as an actor? Was it an easy journey, or did you really struggle to get here?
It was a long journey and I struggled a lot. I have been working since the age of 16, and I worked all sorts of odd jobs to be able to support my education. But I did not enjoy them, I constantly felt as if I was stuck somewhere. I used to hate the 9-5 routine a lot. I had I friend who referred me to director Usama Ali Raza. At that time he was working on the project “Kash Me Teri Beti Na Hoti”. I went to meet him and he guided me through everything. He told me if I wanted a career as an actor I should study for it; from there he guided me to Saleem Miraj, who told me about NAPA. While studying there I started giving auditions, but I was not allowed to work elsewhere while studying. Eventually I gave up studying at NAPA, because if could no longer afford it. That is when I tried my luck in the industry. I searched for production houses on the net, and I used to visit them all day. It was a very long journey, mostly because I just did not opt for any and every role that I was given, as my aim was not to make money, but to make a career.
What do you feel was your breakthrough project that established your name in the industry?
I think my breakthrough projects were “Udari” and “Sammi”. Udrai was a popular play, even though I did not have a major role in it, the play was so popular that even my side role was magnified in it. After that came Sammi, which was very different, it was a huge project and it was very popular as well. I remember when I signed that project; no one was willing to do that role, as people did not feel like it had anything to offer. But I saw a lot in it, and after that people started recognizing me and my talent.
How does it feel to finally be able to make a place for yourself in the industry?
To be honest, I do not feel like I have made a place for myself in this industry. As I did not grow up watching movies from Lollywood, as there were not that much options. I grew up watching movies from Hollywood and Bollywood. My aim is not to make a place for myself but to improve myself constantly, as that way I would become laid back.
What is your dream project that you would love to work on?
It would have to be a film, which is in my head. I want to play diverse roles, such that they have nothing in common at all.
Which co-actor and project have you enjoyed working with the most so far?
There are a lot, but on the top of the list would have to be wife. Not because if am married to her, but because she is a very strong actor, and I have enjoyed a lot working with her. Other than her, I really enjoyed working with Hira Mani, Madiha Iftikhar, Mawra, and Rehan Sheikh.
Acting requires a lot of hard work and stamina. What are the few challenges that you feel took their toll on you?
There is a lot of hard work required no doubt. As for it being challenging, I would have to say that the focus is more on whether the work is interesting or not, rather than it being challenging. Most of the work that is done in this field is mostly done through our facial expressions, there is very less focus on body language. So that is why the work cannot be challenging as such.
Any Particular project that you are currently working on?
I am working on a lot of projects currently. All of them are very interesting and i am looking forward to them being aired soon.
What should the audience expect from the upcoming project?
I think they should expect being entertained and they will be surprised with my roles and characters.
How do you usually connect with the roles that you play?
I read a lot, and I am very observant, so i think this is what makes it very easy for me to connect with my characters. Also i am very empathetic, so this helps me with understanding the character that i have to play and to be connected with it.
How is married life treating you? How did you meet your wife?
It is very beautiful I would have to say. I have become a man. I have learned a lot after being married, and I have become more serious about life. I feel very blessed and happy being married to Maryam. I met her in the makeup room of MD Productions, which was on the sets of Udari. It was very a “filmi” scene, as i was sleep deprived for 2 days and she was sitting in the room and i asked her to leave the place so i can sleep there.
Do you have any mentor or someone in the industry that you look up to for guidance?
No, I do not have any mentor in the industry. I feel like it is easy to have a mentor, but in the long run you become a clone of that person.
How experimental are you with your work? Is there a tried and true formula that you find fits your style best?
I do not have a specific style. If you see most of the people working in lead roles, they have a specific style, and they would have same and similar characters which they play all the time, which eventually seems like they are posing and not acting. So having a style is very beneficial, but at the same time it can become a trap as well.
When you are not acting, what are your hobbies and how do you spend your free time?
I spend my time with my wife and it is my favourite time. I can do anything and everything with her.
Tell us something about yourself which very few people know?
Firstly, I am not like the characters that I play. I am caring, generous, empathetic and very loving.
If you were not an actor, what career would you have pursued?
I would have been a struggling actor, and even if not that then i would have been a film maker, a director or a script writer. So i would be doing something in this filed. Or i might have been a cricketer as at one point i really was focused on that as well.
What advice do you have for individuals looking into getting into acting?
Practice makes perfect. You might raid and study it as much as possible, but nothing can compensate for actually acting.
What is your take on the current state of the entertainment industry in Pakistan?
I feel that we need a lot of people who actually understand the work and who are educated. By educated I don’t mean they should have fancy degrees, but those who should have an understanding of what to do and who can deliver. So we need people with wisdom, who are not simply concerned with ratings and making money.
Share any funny and/or memorable incidents with the fans?
I don’t know if it was funny or not, but this one time i was in a mall, this was when Sammi had ended, and a woman was just staring at me angrily. Her daughter wanted to take a picture, and right away she started scolding me for my character in the play, as if i had actually done all that. So that was something funny and scary at the same time.
Any message for your followers and fans?
I love them! I get all their comments and reviews and I love it about them. They are very particular about my acting and I love their feedback. I just want them to know that I love you guys.
Quick Bits:
- Who was the last person you got a text from?
My Wife ( Maryam )
- Last book you read?
40 things mentally strong people don’t do
- Favorite movie/s?
Recently: spider man into the verse of spider
- Your all time celebrity crush?
Kate Winslet
- You favourite TV series of all time?
Glow & you (Netflix )
- Your biggest fear?
To die
- Biggest wish?
Working with Robert Downey Jr
- You spend most of your money on?
Making my life style better
- Favourite perfume?
Chanel 5 (Maryam gifted me )
- Early bird or Nocturnal?
Nocturnal
- Favorite pizza topping?
Cheese
- Your favorite city in Pakistan?
Karachi
- Ideal breakfast menu?
Maryam’s Mediterranean omelette and tea
One word for the following:
1: Affan Waheed
Gentleman
2: Hira Mani
Malang
3: Shahroz Sabzwari
Respect
4: Komail Aziz Khan
Friend
5 : Haina Amir
Lost friend
6 : Mawra Hocane
Soulful
7: Bilal Ashraf
Poser
