Noor-us-Sabah
Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi recently appeared on Ahmed Fozan’s podcast to discuss his career, acting methodology, and the challenges of portraying morally complex characters. Best known for his roles as Afzal in Pyarey Afzal and Noori Nath in The Legend of Maula Jatt, Abbasi shared insights into the similarities between these characters, the lessons their arcs convey, and his approach to emotionally demanding roles. Unlike many actors, he maintains a clear boundary between performance and reality.
Unlike method actors who immerse themselves in their roles for months, Abbasi prefers to detach immediately after filming. During the podcast, the host referenced Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who in a 2014 interview with The Scholar’s Avenue explained his deep connection with his roles, stating, “I’m not a computer; I can’t just switch myself off. The way we, as actors, take from the character’s life, the character takes from our life – and it’s hard work.”
Abbasi responded with admiration for Siddiqui’s approach but emphasized his own contrasting technique. “I respect actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who live in their characters for months,” he said. “But for me, the deeper I dive, the more I fumble. I need that clear separation.” Instead of intense preparation, Abbasi relies on a rough character map to guide his performance. This method, he explained, is particularly beneficial when playing morally ambiguous roles like Afzal and Noori Nath. “If I let my characters seep into my life, it would be exhausting. Noori Nath is ruthless, and I have to leave that energy on set.”
Written by Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar and directed by Nadeem Baig, Pyarey Afzal remains one of Pakistan’s most celebrated dramas since its release in 2013. The story follows Afzal Subhanullah, a small-town boy who enters the criminal underworld due to unfulfilled love and misplaced loyalty. Initially an innocent romantic, Afzal soon becomes entangled in violence, leading to his tragic demise.
Similarly, The Legend of Maula Jatt, released in 2022, became Pakistan’s highest-grossing film. Directed by Bilal Lashari, the film modernized the 1979 cult classic Maula Jatt, featuring a star-studded cast that included Fawad Khan as Maula Jatt, Mahira Khan as Mukkho, and Abbasi as the menacing Noori Nath. Reflecting on his characters, Abbasi noted, “Afzal committed murders after becoming a gangster, and so did Noori Nath. But both met tragic ends, and that’s what I appreciate about their arcs.”
Throughout the discussion, Abbasi highlighted the importance of portraying villains with depth rather than reducing them to pure evil. He believes well-written antagonists are driven by ambition rather than inherent wickedness. Both Afzal and Noori made terrible choices, yet their motivations were not entirely black and white. Moreover, both Pyarey Afzal and The Legend of Maula Jatt serve as cautionary tales—Afzal’s tragic end and Noori’s relentless hunger for power ultimately lead to their downfall. According to Abbasi, this moral reckoning makes their stories compelling.
For Abbasi, acting is an exploration of human nature that requires personal boundaries. “I love what I do, but at the end of the day, I leave my characters on screen,” he concluded. “That’s how I stay grounded.”
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