Thespian across the border

After his Indian debut in Shikhar, Pakistani actor Jawed Sheikh plans ahead.

When we meet Pakistani actor Jawed Sheikh at a suburban restaurant, he greets us with warmth. Sheikh is a good-looking man with impeccable manners and a throaty laugh.

He was in Mumbai to promote his Hindi film, John Matthew Mathan's Shikhar. It is not only a film he's looking forward to because he has a pivotal role in it, but also because his earlier attempts to enter the Hindi film industry have failed. He says, "I had acted in Anubhav Sinha's Dus but due to an unforeseen mishap, my role got edited out. I was also supposed to do another film earlier but since I was going through a personal problem I couldn't leave Pakistan. God willing, Shikhar will give me an opportunity to show my talent to the audience here."

Sheikh plays Guruji, "Shahid Kapur's father and an idealist. The film is about wealth, glamour and ambition and mine is one of the interesting characters." He adds: "I was a fan of Matthan's Sarfarosh and I was extremely glad to be part of Shikhar." Sheikh who has also been a director himself was once married to actress Salma Agha of Nikaah fame. "The only difference between films made here and there is probably the budget. Also the star power in the Hindi film industry is far greater than in Pakistan. So many films get made in India it's unbelievable. Hindi films are a rage in Pakistan and so are your stars."

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Describing his experience with the cast and crew of Shikhar he says, "It was all very well organised and great fun to act with the stars here. When I am an actor on the sets, I just follow the director's instructions. I leave my director's hat behind."

Ask him how he feels about being called the Amitabh Bachchan of Pakistan and he smiles it off. "I'd love it more if he's called the Jawed Sheikh of India, no?" he says adding, "actually these are all titles given by the media. I am only doing my work."

On whether he would continue his affair with Bollywood he says, "Why not, if I have time after I am done with my assignments in Pakistan and if a substantial role comes my way here, I'd certainly love to be part of it."

Coming up next he says is a Pakistani film he's planning to direct which might have a "star from India. It's too early to talk about it but I'd want to cast a star from here."

Last, what does he take from India? "Lots of love, just the way I bring lots of love with me from Pakistan."