Ali Zafar Singer talks about receiving the Pride of Performance
KARACHI: Zafar started as a painter, went on to sing, and ended up acting in his own film. Ali Zafar’s journey from the poster boy of Huqqa Pani to producer-actor of Teefa In Trouble is a path few have managed to take, and even fewer have traveled through.
Recently, the actor was awarded the prestigious Pride of Performance, which he felt meant more to him because of the happiness it brought to his parents.
“To be honest, my joy came mostly from seeing the pride and happiness in my parents’ eyes,” Zafar. “I have seen them struggle and sacrifice in their early years to ensure that their children get the best education. My gratitude comes from the sparkle in their eyes and the love of my fans.”
With three solo albums, various appearances in Coke Studio, and successful stints in Bollywood, Zafar has had a bit of everything with an equal amount of tributes, such as getting celebs to feature together in a song about the APS attack. But while he can’t narrow down what actually led him to be awarded the civil award, he does feel the Creator has His ways of gifting His beings.
“I can’t say if it was anything specific. I believe that we are vessels through which The Creator creates,” said Zafar. “Yes, we can allow ourselves to become a part of that process and become the best versions of ourselves, and that happens through self-awareness. We can be known as actors, singers, performers, but we are nothing more or less than the energy that flows through various forms in various times for various purposes, and what better way than to use it to create. I think the road to discover yourself and your purpose leads to all.”
Having spoken about divine interventions and how the universe enables our destiny, Zafar does feel he has had his fair share of struggles; struggles he refers to as the opposing forces that, if not tackled, can ‘hinder your evolution’ in the long run.
“It can’t be described in a paragraph; perhaps I’ll write a book one day,” shared Zafar. “In short, it is to overcome all the opposing forces along the way. That can distract or hinder your progress and evolution. The idea is to ‘understand’ to ‘overcome.’”
Perhaps the philosophical inclinations are a reflection of the artist. Who has recently passed 40 or else the criticism? Zafar has been subjected. Through his career would make for a much bitter man. The moment he released the first song, he was accused of copying Kishore Kumar’s singing. 20 years later, veteran actor and director Sakina Sammo said that someone like Zafar doesn’t deserve the Pride of Performance. “I absorb what I feel is healthy to improve myself and my work, but I also believe in paying no heed to rants or ‘raulas,’” quipped Zafar.
“May God bless her [Samo] with more awards, praise, health, and happiness and allow me to do whatever I can for the arts, the artists, the culture and image of my country, and the wellbeing of its people.”
