|
|
FIRST PERSON: Made for each other
The steaming cup of tea was just the right thing needed to fight off the penetrating chill that filled the spacious room of KTV station’s PRO, Ghazala Yasmeen. More warmth pervaded the room when the TV screen’s celebrated couple, Tahira and Rizvan Wasti, walked in nearly on time being just 25 minutes late.
“I hope you will not ask difficult questions. Please keep them simple,” Mrs Wasti requested good-naturedly as they both made themselves comfortable on the sofa. As we started our conversation, she began to talk about her career and life, and sounded friendlier off-screen.
Having lost count of the number of plays Tahira Wasti has appeared in, she recalls gaining prominence for primarily doing certain types of roles. One can hardly recall her playing a subservient wife or a mother which most certainly can be attributed to her towering personality, which stands at 5ft, 7 inches and distinguished looks which make her the primary choice of producers to cast her as a queen in historical plays.
“I never think of myself as a good-looking person,” she says self-effacingly. “And I don’t know why I am chosen to play such pompous roles.” Describing her entry into the world of glitz and glamour “by chance” and acting “not being a childhood passion,” it was the most significant occurrence in her life that got her into acting — her marriage to her cousin Rizvan Wasti. A smile comes to his face on hearing this.
“She used to visit the TV station with me and it was there that Qasim Jalali spotted her. At that time he was looking for a girl with brown eyes to play the role of Changez Khan’s wife Bortai in Aakhri chattan,” said Rizvan Wasti. “He persuaded me to accept the offer, which I did after some hesitation, and that is how I gained admittance into this field,” adds Tahira.
‘Actors’ Equity is needed more than an actor’s academy. The situation is bad for artists who don’t even have a free dispensary to buy medicines and no platform to voice their problems which are never addressed’
Taking a trip down memory lane, she reminisced about her childhood days spent in the company of three sisters and six brothers and the extensive traveling they enjoyed because of the frequent posting of their father, an Indian civil servant.
“That was a different time. I observed purdah and did not know that one day I would become an actress. But now, I feel good about having worked with notable actors of my time.” She referred to Piyaas in which she was cast with Afzal Ahmed, Aakhri Chattan where she worked with Zahoor Ahmed and the famous serial Afshan in which she played the role of Shakeel’s Jewish wife. Undoubtedly, her additional claims to fame were the historical plays Chand Bibi and Razia Sultana, still remembered for being remarkable productions.
Except for the earlier entry into the conversation, meticulously dressed Rizvan Wasti had listened intently without any interruptions. And when it was his turn to do the talking, he too appeared different than the characters he has portrayed on TV — that of a tight-lipped high court judge or an unyielding Englishman.
“I have been branded as a bureaucrat on screen,” he replied, adding, “I don’t understand why I always end up doing the same kind of roles. Maybe because of my thundering and roaring voice,” he said answering his own question. A science graduate and an L.L.B, Rizvan was a zealous English debater during his student life. He started off his career at the age of 17 when he joined Radio Pakistan as an English newscaster for the national news bulletin. He still treasures the wonderful memories and experience he earned through working in Pakistan News Pictorial, a project of the film and public affairs department where his job was to prepare news stories and do the narration for the news bulletin shown at cinema halls before film shows, way back in the early sixties.
With both of them committed to TV, did having two celebrities under one roof create any problems or jealousies?
“No, it was never a problem. In fact, it was good as we could evaluate each other’s work without feeling jealous or getting too critical as we both appreciate each others’ talent and most importantly understand each other’s professional commitments,” Tahira replied. Rizvan Wasti added, “Her talent is a source of pride for me.”
This mutual understanding aided them in raising two sons and a daughter. Their acting engagements never took priority over their children’s upbringing.
“We tried to spend quality time with them and never failed to give them our affection and attention,” Rizvan said emphatically, joined by his wife who always prepared them for school and helped them with their homework.
Although Tahira is known predominantly as an actress, she at one stage of her life was associated with a leading ad agency for 15 years where she worked as a copywriter, visualizer and creative group head. “Actually, it was my brief stint as a model that brought me in this field,” she said describing vividly how she had clicked as a model and gained a footing in the minds of viewers. “When I appeared in an ad for detergent, I got quite popular – “log meray jaisey bhabiyan dhoodney lagay they,” she said laughing.
Though she enjoyed the creative work she did as an advertising person, she felt an urge to do one more thing (she has also worked in radio and has been a teacher). So she left her job and was off to London to do a beautician’s course. After her return, she opened a parlour, but eventually it was acting that finally became her identity.
Rizvan Wasti is a sensitive poet, an avid reader and a passionate writer apart from being an actor. “I must have read thousands of books,” he said, his eyes lighting up. It interested Tahira as well as she asserted how they both were crazy about reading. “Even if it is a piece in a newspaper, we read it with pleasure.”
Both are not only making their mark as actors but have become writers as well. Rizvan is an author of two books, one on Sher Shah Suri, the other a poetic collection, Chorus of echoes. He is at present working on his third literary work, an English novel. Tahira is honing her skills by writing mystery stories for Indus Vision. However, she made her writing debut long ago and her plays have been aired on PTV which include Kali deemak and Waqt ka aasman.
“Acting depends on my physical characteristics, while writing comes to life with my thinking and observation. It’s my passion,” she said thoughtfully, toying with her gold chain. Still immersed in her speculative mood, she said the dramas of today had become commercialized at the cost of losing their quality. The topic seemed to invite some criticism from both, however, it was the subject of actors’ Equity which Rizvan Wasti discussed vociferously.
“This is needed more than an actor’s academy. The situation is bad for artists who don’t even have a free dispensary to buy medicines and no platform to voice their problems which are never addressed.” To support his argument he gave the example of the SAG (Screen Actor’s Guild of Hollywood). Referring to the “handful of male and female artists appearing ad nauseam on every channel,” he said, “Actors’equity can remedy the monopolistic situation and equalize the state of affairs.”
Undertaking acting as an outlet for his creative instincts (it never stretched out to becoming his bread and butter as he is now a retired banker) Rizvan could have still given sleepless nights to Mustafa Qureishi with his blasting voice and strapping persona had he ventured into the film industry. He laughingly brushed aside such possibilities. Not because Mustafa Qureishi is his friend, but for his lack of interest in Pakistani films. He worked only in four in the past, on request, and never fancied the idea to roam around the film studios or butter up producers for roles. But he is an ardent film watcher and named a few of his favourite artists, none from Pakistani films though, namely Ava Gardner, Drew Barrymore and Jody Foster. “No one can replace Madhubala though,” he asserted.
Before concluding, he insisted that his quote be included in the interview. “The world is slowly being devoured by hungry wolves on the international playground. The whole world should give peace a chance. No war is good, no peace is bad.”
|
|
