Ayesha Kundi A Visual Director turned actor, Bilal Ashraf has starred in films like Janaan, Yalghar, Rangreza and Superstar. From a strong-willed Asfandyar in Janaan to an intrigued star in Superstar, Bilal has come a long way.
I recently spoke to him about the current situation, how he is spending Ramadan this year and all things cinema.
Ramadan this year has been unlike any we have experienced. How are you spending it this year? How has it been for you so far?
Ramadan for me is pretty much the same as every year because this is one month that I keep commitment free. Last year I had to skip a few days whilst we were shooting Superstar. The only difference, this year, is that I am not going out playing cricket and volleyball, as I usually do. I am home, spending time with my family.
‘Art is suffering.’
In these past two months, are there any new skills that you have learnt or remastered old ones?
I have been doing a lot of research into healthy eating. Even whilst preparing for Superstar I got into a habbit of clean and healthy cooking.
Now I am experimenting by baking breads, making qeema pizzas and trying a lot of vegan recipes. I am enjoying whilst at it
Once the lockdown is over, where would you like to travel to?
I was meant to be in London this April but I’ll be there once the lockdown is lifted. I’d love to travel to Scotland as I have been there in the past, its very nice and scenic. But I am fond of London so I’ll be back soon.
Do you think film projects have taken a hit by the Covid 19 and how has it impacted the coming years of Cinema in Pakistan?
As far as projects are concerned I feel things are going to change, especially in Pakistan, since the cinemas have been impacted by the Covid 19 situation. Even though cinemas were already struggling because Pakistan was not producing enough films, big budget Hollywood films did well. Bollywood films were doing really well but since they have been shutdown, for whatever reason, art is suffering.
‘Once this lockdown is lifted, I would love to travel to Scotland.’
Pakistani cinema has taken a hit already. These next few months were very crucial because big films like Maula Jatt were going to be released.
Even if they lift the lockdown and things get better, I feel people will still be paranoid and might be reluctant in visitng cinemas.
I see a future in Television in Pakistan, since people have access to streaming giants like Netflix. However, these giants still don’t have a huge hold in Pakistan if you compare it with other countries.
In Pakistan the common man watches television religiously and after that it’s YouTube.
I feel going forward, there is a massive shift going towards television. Some film projects I was working on might be changed into series for television or even the streaming giants. So that is what I see for the next couple of years, for myself, atleast.
‘Stick to the restrictions and stay safe.‘
What advice would you give to those who find it hard to quarantine/isolate?
If you look world over, strict lockdowns are being relaxed, they will have to be relaxed otherwise economies will collapse. The best we can do is let common sense prevail and stay safe. I was reading what Jack Ma , the founder of Ali Baba said, and it made a lot of sense, that all of the money and the businesses can be earned back, if you are alive. So it is a matter of survival, if you are well and alive you can go back to your routine. I feel that can be done by sticking to the basic restrictions and staying safe.
Watch Bilal Ashraf’s movies on Netflix HERE.
