Mahira Khan & Anwar Maqsood sat down to give us an evening of Gup Shup, no, not at FUCHSIA (that too, will happen one day), but at The Arts Council Karachi. The conversation was laced with innuendo, layered with references; Anwar Maqsood’s wit and satire were very much in attendance, but only to be matched with some of Mahira’s own! Find out want went down when two icons from different generations met up and talked showbiz, social media, politics and Pakistan! Read on!
The two showbiz players engaged in a cautious ‘testing the waters’ kind of approach as they started off on a quiet note. Anwar Maqsood with his signature satire nearly had Mahira stumped for words but then she went on to address his repartees in signature Mahira style honesty – nothing beats a good clapback when its all in good humour. But, don’t take the conversation too lightly, because there were several layers to every moment addressed at the table. It was not per se an interview but more of an exchange of thoughts between the two, with Mahira turning the tables often and asking Anwar Maqsood to respond too.
Here are several highlights from the evening
A battle of wits proceeded between the two, more like a tennis match, albeit a friendly one – Anwar Maqsood teasing or instigating a comment, a reaction ever so often, (something he’s a pro at) and Mahira, responding cautiously at first, and then, throwing caution to the winds too eventually!
1. Anwar Maqsood might just be writing a script for Mahira Khan
At least that’s what he mentioned last evening. He asked her not to accept scripts till she had read them in full. Mahira responded by saying “aap soch bhi nahi sakte mujhe kis tarha ki script parhnay ko milti hain. Now I will refuse every script till Anwar Maqsood writes for me”. Good one that Mahira, the ball’s in his court now, let’s see what we come up with!
2. Fawad Khan was great as Maula Jatt till romance caught him off guard with Mukho
Anwar Maqsood not only played with the Lucknawi version of Mukho (as he called Mahira) and the UP girl attempting to speak Punjabi, but also asked why Fawad and Mahira’s onscreen romance just left Maula far behind in the equation. Mahira is no stranger to roasting and responded with “perhaps, my charm has that effect, what can I say”.
A little more good humoured roasting on the Punjabi accent, mention of the big banner Mahira Khan in the picture credits and how the movie is bombing the box office just about wrapped up the Maula Jatt discussion. What felt good was that Anwar Maqsood managed to insert all the points without being offensive or overly critical – claim to the kind of humour he has always touted on his own projects.
Anwar Maqsood rounded it up by praising the technical aspects of the film, saying he has watched it thrice (applause) but then added, as an afterthought, that he hopes that by the fourth watch, he will finally understand it! You can’t win with him can you? That’s they guy, always has the last word!
3. Where do your political loyalties lie?
“There is a movie that came out recently”, Mahira started on an oblique track, but soon cleared the air that she was, indeed talking of “Pathaan” and not just Shahrukh Khan! ‘
Mein Pathaan Ki Taraf Hoon
Mahira Khan
Anwar Maqsood went on to mention Mahira’s Zalmi ambassadorship – “that shows your loyalty to Peshawer, does it not? I knew it then”, he proclaimed triumphantly. Mahira smiled and attempted to negate his POV but the Peshawer connection stuck! (and not surprisingly)
Mahira Khan believes in imaandaari and yearns for an honest leader to take over the reins of power. On Shahrukh Khan and Raees, she says she learnt a lot from SRK about hard work and respect.
4. On social media trolling
Mahira seems to have a solution and it’s verified accounts! If your account is verified, she responded, you cannot hide behind anonymity and hence, a troll will think twice about putting out something irresponsible on a public forum or indulging in hate speech. That puts a great end to the trolling debate and shooting off from there, she went on to ask Anwar Maqsood …
5. I have been advised often that you are an actor, so limit yourself to acting
On whether celebrities should purely entertain or comment on social issues, Mahira asked Anwar Maqsood what he thought and he responded by saying, if it is the truth, then one must speak it. If people are throwing a lie at you, do not pay heed, since responding will give more attention to it. But if you speak the truth, then go ahead and speak your mind. Do not pay heed to the trolls, carry on with what you believe. People will criticize you because they are too scared to perform an act of courage themselves. He also cautioned though, that constructive criticism is always a good thing and must be heeded.
Coming from the pro at political and social commentary, this was sound advice we believe!
6. Mahira’s Go To DVDs when at college abroad
Good to know, Mahira carried with her, two DVDs; Aangan Terha and Piyaasa. Aangan Terha afforded her a timeless hit of humour and Pyaasa, an intense hit of tragic romance! So folks, if tragedy is your thing when you’re romancing the person in your life, know that you might have a Mahira Khan in you. What else can we say! But also know that you can lighten things up with an episode of good ‘ol Aangan Terha to keep things in balance!
7. On watching General Nigar
Anwar Maqsood had obviously not watched the telefilm but went on happily to question about the details of the project, ISPR involvement, and whether it was on HUM TV (Naah, Mr Anwar Maqsood, you were nearly there, but you got the channel wrong) – Ummm … us when an attempting an exam paper and we didn’t really read the chapter – not surprisingly, there he was caught out by Mahira who then requested him to please go watch after!
Sound Advice
Mahira Khan advised young girls to be financially independent. “You can’t get out of a bad marriage if you are not financially independent”, she bemoans the fact that her mom never allowed her to take proper dance classes, yet she worked very hard ahead of her More Saiyan dance performance.
And Anwar Maqsood had to say that though he has watched Neelofer, he will not say much on it, because he wants people to watch! That, was the ultimate review folks, if you got the wit, you understand the mind that said it, else, keep on scratching your head on that one, coz’ he’s not coming slow!
