If you’re watching Pamaal and are deeply invested in the storyline, you might be more than interested in this article. Khizer Idrees, the director of Pamaal, has joined us today for an engaging conversation.
Pamaal is now at a stage where emotions are running high. We were angry with Raza at the beginning, and now that collective anger has turned into sympathy for him. We are all shedding tears with Malika. The man at the helm – the one who made this viewing experience ten times more powerful – the man who steered the ship of Pamaal, director Khizer Idrees, had an insightful conversation with us.
Get a peek into the chat below!
This article is an excerpt from the YouTube interview.
How did Khizer Idrees get the script for Pamaal?
Khizer Idrees shared that when the script for Pamaal came to him, he already had two projects to choose from, but this one immediately stood out. What drew him in was the grey nature of the characters – they felt real and close to everyday life. At first, the story seemed familiar, but as he read further, especially the later episodes, the pace and direction of the story surprised him. He found it exciting that the narrative kept changing and offered a fresh way of telling a seemingly simple story. The characters felt human – some making mistakes, some trying to fix them – just like people we see around us every day.
Once he decided to take on the project, he spent a lot of time with the script. He read it again and again for nearly a month before the shoot began, making notes and discovering new details each time. He shared that every reading revealed a new layer, which kept him engaged. Even during editing, he felt there were multiple ways to tell the same scene better. What fascinated him most was how layered the story was, much like real life. He felt that while one layer might not connect with everyone, another surely would, and that depth is what made Pamaal special for him.
Did Khizer expect this kind of response for Pamaal?
Khizer Idrees shared that he honestly did not expect such a strong response from the audience. While the team worked with complete sincerity, there was no way to predict how viewers would react once the drama went on air. In the beginning, the response was good, but slowly the conversations around Pamaal started growing. People began discussing the story, the characters, and the turns it was taking, which came as a pleasant surprise. He felt the appreciation the drama received was far beyond expectations and expressed gratitude to everyone who was part of the project. As the story now moves towards its conclusion, he hopes the ending will also be well received, just like the journey so far.
Were Saba Qamar and Usman Mukhtar the first choice for Pamaal?
Khizer Idrees shared that casting for Pamaal worked out quite fortunately. Usman Mukhtar was already considered for the role of Raza, so it seemed natural that he would take it on. Around the same time, the team approached Saba Qamar for the role of Malika, and she showed interest, which Khizer felt was a stroke of luck.
He explained that there were some delays in the middle of the process because of Saba’s other commitments, and at one point it seemed like she might not be able to do it, especially since the drama was scheduled to air in April or May. Thankfully, the producers managed to push the schedule, and the casting came together smoothly. Khizer noted that while shooting a drama is relatively easier, finding the right cast has become much more challenging these days.
Want to hear more? Stay tuned for full conversation coming out soon on FUCHSIA Magazine’s YouTube channel!
Comments 1