The stunning Mehwish Hayat and the very handsome Ahsan Khan transformed Tonite With HSY into a cheery affair with their presence in a candid interview. Their chemistry was evident as they shared fits of laughter with each other throughout the show.

While Mehwish has been the talk-of-the-town for her item song 'Billi' in Pakistani film Na Maloom Afraad, Ahsan has won many a hearts with his powerful acting in every drama that comes his way.

Though the two have only done a few dramas together, the duo is always loved by the audience, be it for their dance performances or for a drama serial.

HSY started off by asking about how they become such good friends, to which both of them laughed heartily before Mehwish answered: “The first time we worked together was in Mere Qatil Mere Dildaar and at that time we knew of each other but hadn’t worked together. He seemed like a nice person, but you get many surprises once you’re on the set so how this surprise package would turn out was unknown."

"The surprise was pleasant and because of our characters of that madly in love [couple], we quickly became friends," shared Mehwish. "We would discuss and build the drama scenes together and that was the start of our friendship.”

Ahsan also pitched in: “When I started working I realised that on screen many actors think more about themselves and put down others. They do not want to make an effort on the other person's character. I always feel when you’re doing a thing, it's teamwork. If your action-reaction in dance or acting is not good then it affects your performance as well.”

He added that since they both had a similar nature of supporting each other, it helped flourish their friendship.

Ahsan also said that though they have done very few plays together, those plays have been prominent. Furthermore, their pairing-up in dance sequences in multiple award shows also brought them into the limelight.

On dancing away

Responding to how each started and learnt the skill, Mehwish revealed that she hadn’t learnt dancing from anywhere.

Mehwish Hayat and Ahsan Khan. - Photo courtesy: Tonite with HSY's official Facebook page

“I am self-taught because we don’t have any institutes here," admitted Mehwish.

"In fact, I want to open a dance school here," she added. "I want people to dance because it is the best way of expressing your emotions.”

She further said that many people hold themselves back and she wants them to dance to experience that feeling.

Ahsan also had similar views: “The thing is that after working on something similar, I get bored very quickly so I have to do 10 things at a time. I want to sing, dance, act, do films. I also want to produce and direct because when you have a lot of energy inside you, you want to express it. We never realised that we did a good dance, we just danced.”

He added: “During the rehearsals and even moments before the show, I tell her (Mehwish) that I can’t do it and I can’t remember anything, but as soon as you get on the stage and start performing — something else happens."

Affirming Ahsan’s statement Mehwish said: “The moment we come on stage, Ahsan gets electrified and he has never let me down. Plus, when the audience cheers for you, you just go crazy.”

Acting career

Coming to their acting, HSY asked if they had been put down by any senior artist who felt threatened by them.

“Yes, it has happen with me once," Mehwish shared. "There are some senior (artists) whom you idealise since you've grow up watching them and you want to meet them or work with them. But like I said, while some surprises are pleasant, some are unpleasant — it happened with me once and it wasn’t pleasant at all."

Mehwish Hayat and Ahsan Khan. - Photo courtesy: Tonite with HSY's official Facebook page

"But then I am the sort of a person who focuses solely on work and ignore such reactions because I don’t want to get involved in any such politics. Even then there are certain artists who create such politics to spoil the mood and have negative implications on the scene.”

Ahsan however said: “I think it happens in every field. This grouping happens less in the television industry, but it does happen. You start feeling the other person's insecurities, but you have to ignore and gradually your acceptance comes as well, when the others realise that you are talented enough. Then they won’t stop you, they’d get away and I think one mustn’t even bother about these things.”

However, Mehwish said: "I have been blessed that there were some seniors who taught me and there were some from whom I learnt that I needed to perform even better so it [being pushed over] becomes another plus point.”

On social responsibility

Responding to whether they thought celebrities are entitled to some social responsibilities, Mehwish agreed and said: “Sometimes you feel irritable when you're out with family and fans want to take autographs, but then I think 'I’ve earned it', so when God is giving me this [opportunity], why should I let it go?”

Ahsan on the other hand also referred to his development as an actor: “I feel blessed because I started working from scratch and I was really young so I didn’t even have the sense of choice. I have done all sorts of stupid work as well and then gradually I learnt how to define my class by getting out of the stupid work. It is difficult to change your calibre as well, so I had to build what I am today and I still have got a long way to go.”

“We were shooting Yusuf Saluddin’s play Heer Ranjha and we went to a village near Chenab," he shared. "Now living in Karachi where satellite channels are dominating, I feel less work is being done for the masses. I saw people going crazy over there. I have never seen this kind of response where 400 people have climbed their rooftops or are following you. It was then that I realised that this is also a side of Pakistan and that I like working for them as well.

"If the masses love you, you know you are there,” said Ahsan.

On item numbers

Mehwish Hayat. - Photo courtesy: Tonite with HSY's official Facebook page

“It adds a fun element to it [the film],” he said.

“I think there is no harm in doing an item number as long as it is done 'rightly'," added Mehwish. "By 'rightly', I mean doing something with which I am comfortable and won’t go beyond it. If it is dance-based I’d love to do it, but if it includes (showing) cleavage — I don’t want that.

"I think item numbers are fun songs, which are played at weddings as well, so if we have one for our own film then why wouldn't you do it?" said Mehwish. "I am proud that I did it in my own country rather than going next door [India] and doing it there.”

On going to B-town

Ahsan Khan. - Photo courtesy: Tonite with HSY's official Facebook page

“I have started from Pakistan so that's a trademark and now I can do whatever I like.”

Responding to the same question, Ahsan said: “For an actor, there is never a boundary — be it Bollywood, Hollywood, Iranian cinema or Turkish — I think doors should be open. It’s a great thing to work internationally as well.”

"It also depends on the situation," Ahsan explained. "Some people tend to jump desperately, like I did and jumped into whatever I got, be it Meera or anybody else, I did those things but now I’ll think twice before doing anything."

Talking about being active on social media, Mehwish said she particularly liked Instagram and has the title of 'Selfie Queen' as well.

HSY said that even though they share great chemistry and are such good friends, there's never been any 'gossip' about Mehwish and Ahsan.

Mehwish held the opinion that it was because they are on the same page when it came to work: “We focus on work and don’t create gossip, we don’t have time for that.”

In love or don’t love segment, Mehwish said that she didn’t like Ayesha Khan and shared her reason: “It’s because of the attitude; not with me specifically, but I once saw her mistreating the make-up artist, and I think we must be polite with our subordinates.”

Ahsan said ‘don’t’ for Danish Taimur, saying that though he has only met him a few times, he doesn’t get good vibes from him.

So what’s next for Mehwish and Ahsan?

While Ahsan said that he is preparing for a song with a video and is also planning a song with Mehwish, Mehwish confirmed that she has been pursuing music. She also said that with a lot on her plate, giving time to singing can be difficult.

“I am working on it; slow and steady wins the race, but I will soon have concerts. We will soon give a surprise to everyone.”