We all know Ali Wasi Kazmi from the iconic Paar Chana De video, and since then, he’s continued to make his mark. Currently winning hearts as Sikander in Raja London Ka, we’ve also seen him opposite Yumna Zaidi in Bakhtawar. Today, he’s at FUCHSIA for a conversation about his latest drama, his journey so far, and much more.
This article is an excerpt from the YouTube interview.
Ali Wasi Kazmi on Landing the Role of Sikander in Raja London Ka
When asked how the opportunity to play Sikander in Raja London Ka came his way, Ali Wasi Kazmi shared that it was a very unexpected turn of events. He recalled being in Lahore at his friend’s house when Sama Jafri received a call about a character for the drama. Ali had met Samar two years ago through their mutual friend Hashir, and the two would often meet whenever Samar visited Lahore. After hearing about the role, Ali recorded his audition the next day from a hotel in Islamabad. He shared that Samar connected him with the team, encouraged him throughout the process, and guided him before he sent in his audition, which was eventually approved.
Talking about his experience on set, Ali said working with Samar Jafri, and the director, Fajr Raza, made the journey even more enjoyable. He praised the team for being supportive and shared that the director helped him understand Sikander’s body language and mannerisms. “The first few days were a little difficult, but after that, because of Fajr bhai’s guidance, I didn’t feel it was that challenging,” he shared. Ali added that the role was physically demanding due to outdoor shoots and a busy schedule, but the overall experience was memorable. He also opened up about Sikander’s impulsive personality, explaining that the character’s actions come from his own nature and circumstances rather than being shaped only by his upbringing. “Sikander doesn’t think before acting; he is very impulsive,” he said, adding that the character’s journey will bring many challenges ahead.
Ali Wasi Kazmi Recalls His First Day on Bakhtawar and Working with Yumna Zaidi
Talking about his first drama Bakhtawar, Ali Wasi Kazmi shared that he was extremely nervous when he stepped into the project, especially because it was his first acting experience.
Ali recalled his first interaction with Yumna Zaidi, saying that he didn’t even realize she was the same actress he was about to work with. “She came into the makeup room wearing a mask and a bandana and asked me, ‘How are you, Ali?’ I replied normally, not knowing it was Yumna,” he said. He later realized who she was and was even more nervous when he found out his first scene was with her. Ali shared that his hands were shaking, but Shahid Shafaat guided him and told him to bring the same natural energy he had shown in his Androon Lahore videos. He added that although the scene was a simple montage with no dialogue, having around 18–20 people watching him made it a stressful yet memorable experience.
Ali Wasi Kazmi Reveals the Story Behind the Viral Paar Chana De Video
Ali Wasi Kazmi shared the inspiring story behind the viral Paar Chana De video, which eventually became the turning point in his career. He recalled that while studying at NCA, he heard the song and decided to create a video for it with his friends from the Film and TV department. At the time, the original Coke Studio song already had millions of views, and many people questioned why anyone would watch a fan-made video. “People around me said, the song already has 17 million views, why would anyone watch your video just to see your face?” he shared. But Ali wanted to create something professionally, even though he had no formal knowledge of filmmaking.
He explained that he planned every frame in a notebook, visited locations, arranged equipment, and worked with a small crew of around 12–13 university friends. From doing the production himself to painting walls and props for locations, Ali was involved in every detail. He even sold his laptop to arrange money for the equipment and team expenses when they ran short on budget. However, after the shoot, several files got corrupted, forcing them to reshoot major portions of the video during Ramadan. “At that point, I started thinking maybe this field is not for me because everything I was trying to do was getting ruined,” he admitted.
Despite all the setbacks, Ali completed the edit on Eid morning and uploaded the video on a newly created YouTube channel. He revealed that for the first eight months, the video barely received views, with most of them coming from him repeatedly watching it himself. But after a year and a half, he discovered that the video had crossed 1.6 million views after an Indian Instagram page with millions of followers shared a clip from it. The video eventually went viral, reaching millions of viewers and changing the course of his career. Ali shared that when the video reached around 2 million views, he received a call from HUM TV for Bakhtawar. “That video gave me the confidence that maybe there is something good that I can do,” he said.
Want to hear more? Check out full conversation below!
