|
|
|
Bold with a capital
“Half Turk, born and bred in New York, a high school dropout, extremely work oriented.” This is how Murad Malik introduces himself. The 26-year-old model is getting noticed for his unconventional looks and down-to-earth disposition. The story of how he got into the world of professional modelling is just as unconventional. He narrates it in a matter-of-fact manner.
“I came to Pakistan permanently five years ago. I was not interested in pursuing the family business and thus developed differences with my father, who insisted that I take it up. Trying to satisfy my ego, I went about looking for work and noticed a vacancy at a restaurant. As fate would have it, I got hired immediately as a waiter!”
While his parents bemoaned the fact that their only son had become a waiter, Murad was ecstatic about making it on his own.
“Within a month, my potential was realized and I was promoted to handle public relations. That’s where I met people from the showbiz industry coming to the restaurant for photo shoots. They recognized the talent in me and urged me to have a try at it. The biggest motivation came from photographer Nadeem A. Khan, and then the husband and wife duo, Shaiyyane and Sohail Malik. I model exclusively for them and work for their theatre ventures.”
One thing led to another and soon enough, Murad had moved on from waiting tables to making an appearance in Hadiqa Kiani’s Intezaar video. Since then, as the cliché goes, there’s been no looking back.
“I did not venture into fashion modelling for reasons pertaining to morality,” he says quietly. “In this industry, people want extra favours from you in terms of providing them gratification. Many folks would do just about anything to get into a small catwalk show or a still shoot. It is unnerving and quite baffling actually,” he adds.
This is the reason, according to Murad, why he has stuck to commercial modelling which involves working with companies, promoting their brands.
“It’s prestigious, pays more and I don’t have to do things I don’t want to,” he comments. “Plus, I love the attention I get and when I see my face on billboards and posters. That’s what made me stick to this field; I thrive on the attention I get and I absolutely love the camera.” This trait probably came from the doting affection his parents have showered on him. He calls it the ‘only-child syndrome.’
So, is there a mafia working in our fashion industry, with influential cliques of conniving gurus and divas?
“Not really,” says Murad. “There’s so much work now that you can’t afford to have camps and cliques. If you have three things: faith in yourself, patience and the will to work really hard, you can easily do well. But the important thing is to keep your self-respect.”
The model’s biggest break came with the serial Laila Majnu, in which he starred as the intense villain. That brought him recognition and more offers for serials and tele-films. “I am preparing myself to come into films. I’m taking dance classes as well as tae-kwon-do lessons. I’m ready for good offers.”
Does he have any inkling of what he’s in for, considering the standard of our movies?
“I know our films feature a lot of dancing around trees and vulgarity, but I am looking for a project with a good story, something with artistic inclination, something different.”
How does he describe himself?
“I was a playboy; spoilt and pampered. Now, I am mature and religious. I never venture anywhere without my mom. I consider myself a gentleman. Women in Pakistan are so used to rough treatment from men that they take my attitude as a pass! I am extremely conservative now. I am very patriotic too. I wouldn’t ever leave my country, even though I have the choice. I want to help the needy in some way. Get married and have kids. I want to be the world’s number one dad.” This seemed like an awful lot in a span of 30 seconds!
Wrapping up the session, Murad says, “The only way to gain peace is through religion. And a sound way to success is believing in who you are. I am proud of the fact that I started as a waiter.
You shouldn’t lose yourself in the glory, and shouldn’t forget where you started. Go out there and make a difference. If you’re going to be noticed, you will be noticed.”
|
|
|
|
