“When I was making Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa (YDAH) in 2000 (released in 2002), I had a vision that would change Pakistani cinema forever. I was hoping that my film would propel a chain reaction that would result in better cinemas, improved technical facilities and the general working environment,” the evergreen actor-director discloses. “YDAH was the first film in DTS format, featured the use of digital camera, had a Ferrari race sequence, was advertised on Panaflex instead of the hand-drawn posters and above all, forever changed the way Pakistani actors stage fight sequences — basically the end of dhishum dhishum. I’m glad to see my efforts bearing fruit as the equipment that is used in Bollywood is now also part of our film industry.”

Apart from being one of the most versatile actors around, Jawed Sheikh is also the most successful and innovative actor-director with hits like Mushkil (1995), Chief Saab (1996) and Yes Boss (1997). Kahin Pyar Na Hojaye (1998) reunited him with Unkahi writer Haseena Moin but the film failed at the box office, as did Mujhe Jeenay Do (1999). It was only with YDAH that the director managed to make a successful comeback after which he directed Khulay Aasman Kay Neeche (2008).

“You will once again see me in action as a director,” Jawed says with a sparkle in his eyes. ‘I am working on my next project and although I will not have the late Amjad Bobby as music director, I’m trying to get the best team together. Wajood will be a different film with a subject that revolves around a very serious matter. I’m confident that it will come out as different as YDAH was at its time.”

For someone who has been around for 40 years in showbiz, Jawed Sheikh shows no sign of slowing down. The film and TV veteran has featured in nearly every second film since Na Maloom Afraad and has a big hand in the revival of films, for it was Yeh Dil Aapka Huwa which sowed the seed of change

Jawed Sheikh the actor feels that one shouldn’t be limited to just a single medium; for someone who made his film debut in the mid-70s with Ibn-i-Safi’s Dhamaka, and then moved on to TV to star in Shama, Unkahi and countless other TV plays, he certainly has the experience to make such a statement. “TV and films are vastly different from each other; each with a different mood. In films we exaggerate fight sequences, the filming of songs is on a different level altogether and even the dramatic scenes are over-the-top, but we can’t do all that on TV due to certain restraints. I’m glad that our films as well as dramas are liked in India and since I spend time there for work, I know it firsthand. Our TV dramas are a craze across the border and many a people have even said that the Indians simply don’t know how to make TV plays.”

Even after threats from Shiv Sena and the unfavourable attitude of the BJP, Jawed remains hopeful, says that matters haven’t gone out of hand yet and a solution is possible. “It would be best if the governments of India and Pakistan sit down and talk to resolve issues immediately. They must also not allow a handful people — in both the countries — to take the law into their own hands.”

And then the question that is on everyone’s mind these days: why is it that every second film revolves around him. “That’s a bit over-exaggerated (laughs) but come to think of it, isn’t it a good thing? Bin Roye, Wrong No, Karachi se Lahore, Halla Gulla and Jawani Phir Nahi Aani ... all had me playing character roles and none of them was identical. It’s the kind of versatility that I always wanted in my acting career and thankfully the new bunch of directors are offering me just that. It is part of my life now, donning different getups for different films. Ab to aadat si hogaye hai (laughs).”

Jawed Sheikh’s popularity in character roles extends beyond Pakistan. He has played Shahid Kapur’s father in Shikaar (2005), Preity Zinta’s daddy in Jaaneman (2006), Shah Rukh Khan’s superstar dad in Om Shanti Om (2007), Upen Patel’s father in Namaste London (2007), Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor’s father (in a portrait) in Yuvraaj (2009), Hema Malini’s husband in Sadiyaan (2010) and most recently, Ranbir Kapoor’s dad in Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha. “I like playing roles that suit my age but that doesn’t mean I’m an old man (laughs). You can still catch me dancing whenever I get the chance. As for Tamasha, it is a wonderful film that will captivate the audience; Imtiaz Ali knows how to play with emotions and this film will prove to be a new experience.”

Continuing his work in films, Jawed is slated to star in another upcoming Imtiaz Ali production in India as well. He predicts that the success of Pakistani films will better the image of the country abroad and people outside Pakistan will visit theatres to catch their favourite stars in action. “For the premiere of Bin Roye and Jawani Phir Nahi Aani, we went to Dubai, London and different cities in America which is something that has never happened before. Even Karachi se Lahore premiered at Hollywood which is a big step for our reviving film industry. I hope that the revival spell continues and we carry on the good work of our peers, rather than failing again after a short, successful stint.”

As a father, Jawed considers himself blessed; one whose children are also in showbiz and doing well. “Shahzad (Sheikh) made his film debut this year with Karachi se Lahore and it turned out to be a super-hit movie. Momal is also working in an Indian film and I consider myself very lucky because the success of a child is always dear to his/her parents, especially if they follow their footsteps.”

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, November 29th, 2015