In the world of entertainment, some craft magic, inspiring and captivating audiences. Shahzad Nawaz shines as a maestro of boundless talents, effortlessly juggling roles as a film director, actor, singer, and graphic designer. His creativity knows no limits, leaving an unforgettable imprint across diverse realms of artistry. Social Diary recently caught up with this dynamic force to dive into his world of endless possibilities.
SD: Your distinctive style sets you apart- how does Shahzad Nawaz manage to own such individualistic charm?
Shahzad: I am humbled by this question. I believe the secret to having a distinctive style is in being yourself! Style is a very personal statement and the simpler and honest it is, the better. I guess the decoding to style and charisma lies in striving to always be a better version of one’s self and while doing so, withstanding the temptation or urge to fall for a fad or a trend unless, of course, it is something that resonates with you as a person, and not because everyone else is doing it.
SD: Coming from a family of accolades, does it get overwhelming to keep on giving creative products that reflect your talent?
Shahzad: I have never even pondered about this. It has no bearing as God almighty creates us all equal and yet, unique in our ways. We are all God’s own ‘prototypes’. In the various disciplines of creative arts that I am engaged in, this thought or its pressure has neither come to me, nor it has any bearing. Ideas belong to the universe and as an ideas man, I merely steal them from the universe.
SD: Distinguished film producer, songwriter, director, actor, and graphic designer- what title resonates with you the most and why?
Shahzad: Precisely the reason why, I choose to call myself an Imagineer and a Change Artist, as all other titles seem to be too limiting for me, so I coined the term. As for which one I like the most, I’d say, all. Truly, if you take a closer look, they are all complimenting and an extension of an interdisciplinary. They all have their unique challenges, workflows, and mechanisms along with their own set of rules that are applied in a combination of talent and skills.
SD: Let’s reflect on your role as a Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Culture, Arts & Communication; what would you say has been the strongest achievement you took on through that title?
Shahzad: My strongest achievement was recognition on merit. In a system plagued with cronyism and nepotism, it was a breath of fresh air to be appointed a SAPM without having political affiliations or being a member of any political party. Being appointed to such an important office in consideration of my abilities and capabilities was a very welcoming change. However, given that I was one of the last cabinet members to be appointed, I did not have enough time to do as I had wanted to, and my true desire was to review policy frameworks and policy interventions and not go around ribbon-cutting or delivering lofty speeches with no intent behind it. I was eager to bring reforms in much neglected but extremely important subjects and domains of Art and Culture. As I reminisce now, it is unfortunate that I could not get things done as I was up against time, and sooner than we knew, the Government was voted out of power. I was hardly only two to three months away from the various projects I had worked on and this surely will remain as one of my glorious regrets.
SD: For someone who has created such a strong mark in visual arts, especially being recognized for your work in Art Direction, Graphic Design, Copy Writing, Animation, and Editing- did your move into the entertainment industry seemed like a natural progression?
Shahzad: Idea and Creative business is always interdisciplinary hence possible and doable for those who can pull it off, so yes one can say it is a progression, but one could also say it is an extension. Various forms of arts from screen arts to fine arts, performing to visual arts to design arts to communication and motion arts, are all interconnected. Also people do not know that I have been appearing sporadically, or perhaps that I have been making sporadic appearances on screen is why there is a misconception that I have made a rather late entry. I have many TV serials, Feature and TV Films and Long Plays to my credit with various Pakistani channels. My new feature film, Zohar Mumtaz’s “Abhi” is slated to be released sometime between Eid ul Fir and Eid ul Azha this year. My web series ‘Abdullahpur Ka Devdas” is being showcased from February 26th on Zee Zindagi, my Netflix project should also be available on the OTT globally by the end of this year.
SD: How do you decide the kind of roles you want to project on the screen?
Shahzad: I being a past chairman of UPA- United Producers Association, and currently being the vice chairman of GDP- Directors Guild of Pakistan alongside being a member of ACT-Actors Collaborative Pakistan, have enough experience to tread carefully. However, it is safe to say that actors don’t get to decide, they get to pick and choose the ones being offered to them.
And in the ones being offered, like the role being offered for an under-consideration serial, film or long play, there are many variables, I mean hypothetically, say if one has the dates available and money matters are agreed to, yet still, one needs to take into consideration, different factors on a project to project basis, every aspect of it is important, be it the co-stars, the writer, the director and the production company producing to it ultimately the channel who would be airing it. Certainly, reputations and legacies in such considerations have a lot of weightage. My manager Farah is a great resource and help in all of this and I trust her judgement in this and she has been on the cent each time.
SD: Do you feel there are still limitations to the kind of diverse stories our storytellers can project?
Shahzad: Personally, no- I don’t think so, there is never a limitation on the diversity, the choice in projecting the nuances, mannerisms, subjects, and the intricate handling of it can be an issue, yes, but should be so. I firmly believe a country’s code of cultural and social norms must be held sacrosanct while committing to making stories as the impact of those stories have a direct impact on our social behavior and thinking as individuals and as communities. Pakistan is full of examples where projects were conceived and executed without taking into consideration cultural, religious, or social sensitivities which to me is highly regrettable.
SD: One person from the drama industry you wish to collaborate with, knowing you’ll create wonders together?
Shahzad: Dramas, like film, are a collaborative medium. It will be highly unfair to single one or two out. We have a stellar list of professionals in Pakistan; from writers to producers to directors, actors, and associated artists such as musicians and singers. Not to mention technical experts from Tops to Gaffers, Editors, Sound Engineers, and Post artists. It will be appropriate to say that I look forward to continuing to work with some of the best in Pakistan just as I have in the past and currently doing as well.
SD: Your thoughts on the film industry of Pakistan and whether you’d like to make it part of your legacy
Shahzad: This calls for a separate subject to speak upon altogether, but real quickly, we are picking up the pieces at the moment. Pakistan needs at least 100 films a year to be able to jump-start cinema and reintroduce cine-going habits in our people. However, I feel that due to the huge gap in the number of screens, the economic viability of making films for cinema in Pakistan is dismal despite having a sizable population. As for my contribution, I have made three films so far including a full-length feature film, Pakistan’s first Political Thriller, the critically acclaimed box-office hit ’Chambaili’ in 2013. I was the writer, co-producer, lyricist, art director, publicist, and actor in it. The film has received numerous film awards internationally as well.
SD: One role that defines your real-life persona?
Shahzad: This is a tough one. I would have to share a list off of my head, either Rai Ahmed Khan Kharal, Abdullah Bhatti, Salahuddin Ayub, Tipu Sultan, Shams Tabrezi, Bulleh Shah or Nuri Naseer Khan. Don’t try to draw parallels to them. I draw inference not in terms of the magnificent legacy of these giants, but only in terms of sharing the quad code of a man, and that to me is; honor, chivalry, valour and romance.
SD: Would you ever consider venturing into roles behind the camera i.e. as a producer/director?
Shahzad: Apart from screenwriting, thus far I have produced 3 films, and as a music producer more than 38 songs and about 14 to 15 songs as a lyricist as well. In terms of direction, I have directed two projects in the entertainment realm and various projects related to communication and advertising. Let’s see what the future permits or holds for me. I resonate with the saying “Life is what happens to us while we are busy making other plans’. 
