Unfiltered with Naveed Raza

Naveed Raza is one of the highly praised actors of the Pakistani film and drama industry. Every now and then his name circulates in the news not only because of his acting or projects but often because of his audacious and upfront statements which he doesn’t regret at all.

In this exclusive conversation with BOLD, devil-may-care and versatile actor, Naveed Raza shares his journey of becoming an actor, discusses controversies, and how he keeps rising in the industry.

Maheen Aziz: Hero bannay ki tarang was a big platform? Did your career start right after winning the show or you had to struggle?

Naveed Raza: Here I would like to clear that Hero Bannay Ki Tarang did a fantastic job by bringing lay man who had acting skills but it did not make me a star. The show was more focused on the branding of the product to sell it and our careers weren’t the focus. After the show finished, the organisers gave us a Telefilm and a film which was directed by Syed Noor. That film, ‘Pride of Honor’, never released because no one followed up for its release or ever worked on post-production. After winning the show and completing a film with Syed Noor, people had forgotten me. I had to go to every production house and remind them that who I am, what show I had won. Humayun Saeed was the first person who offered me ‘Mehmoodabad ki Malkayen’ and that was my breakthrough in the industry. Thankfully, Faysal Qureshi remembered me and he played a huge role as a mentor and guided me through. I was actually re-born as a star

BOL: We never saw that show after 3 seasons.

NR: When they achieved their target market through using us as puppets so they halted the production. People don’t remember me as the winner of Hero Bannay Ki Tarang. I made my own status as an actor. It is a pity how the whole show feels like a bully today and all hard work to win the show just went down the drain.

BOL: You have not mentioned Syed Noor since he was one of the judges and a big name in the industry? Any reason.

NR: Syed Noor is a biased person and he will only work with the boy he likes. I will never forget that how Syed Noor bullied and degraded me during the show so that I somehow surrender and back off so his favourite contestant could win the show whereas Faysal Qureshi and Ma’am Resham supported me. They saw an actor inside me. Winning the show was not easy.

BOL: How had it been after the first drama you did?

NR: By the grace of ALLAH, I have never seen a down fall and every year I am working in different projects. I prefer working with a good team and people especially with seniors like Mehmood Aslam, Faysal Qureshi, Aijaz Aslam and Nabeel Zafar. I have done roles as a lead, second lead, supporting, villain and hero. I have not made this an issue of my ego that I will only work as a lead because I think I am always learning. My preference is a good script and a good team. I am not a part of this rat race.

BOL: There is a video in which you are scolding Adi in Faysal Qureshi’s show and saying you will slap him? What was that?

NR: First of all, Adi and I are very good friends. Yes, I gave him a shut-up call because he crossed his limits which I do not tolerate who so ever does that.

BOL: What did he say that made you angry?

NR: I went to Faysal Qureshi’s show for my then serial’s promotion. Adi sometimes forgets that the cameras record what people are saying and this is what happened. He said Naveed Raza is the only actor who you can call anytime and he will come to your show. He said it sarcastically. Faysal Quraishi is like a brother to me and I will go anytime he will call me on his show. But that does not mean that I am sitting free. He was also telling pay grades of actors which were ethically wrong.

BOL: You have also been trolled for what you said about Qandeel Baloch?

NR: I was offered Baaghi and I had refused to play the character. It was something like as If I am offered Shakti Kapoor’s biopic so I will not do that because I have never liked their lifestyle and this is my opinion. I don’t like him. What I said for Qandeel Baloch is what I will say again and again as I never liked or supported her agenda and way of gaining popularity. It is surprising to see the level of Hypocrisy of this nation. This is not a better way to live, she could do hundred other things.

BOL: She was killed in honor killing yet you would say this?

NR: I do stand against honor killing and the injustice. I have done a film on Mukhtara Mai and I was playing the lead in it as a hero. I just did not like the way Qandeel lived her life. That is all about it. I do not try to be politically correct all the time, this is my personality and I will always speak the truth which people can’t digest. I am not here to please anyone.

BOL: Are you planning to play a villain in any film or drama?

NR: I have already played villain in film Raasta but recently I’m offered a drama in which I am playing a negative character which has two variations; a complete evil from the inside and an innocent husband in front of his wife.

BOL: You must have faced many problems because of your straight-forward personality?

NR: All the time. Many directors and production houses clearly said they will not work with me because I have always been speaking the truth. I don’t butter people and who I don’t like I will say it. People don’t remember you by your work but how much you socialize with them or butter them. If people were remembered with their work than Nabeel Zafar was not only doing Bulbulay. Just because he doesn’t socialize with the biggies so producers and directors think he is not appropriate for any role in their serials.

BOL: It would be great to listen to your opinion about award shows.

NR: Award shows are fancy nights in which you get free sponsored drinks, food and wear a nice designer dress. Being in an award show is good for your PR as you get photographed and stuff. Every channel has their own award show and they give awards to their dramas and actors only.

BOL: You have done two films and several serials. Any take on Pakistani films?

NR: I would never go and waste my money and time in the cinema when the content is awful. In our films, the faces are being sold and not content. Content has taken a back seat I guess. Once people will start realizing it, there will be a revolution. Film is the only medium in which new faces can easily be introduced as compared to dramas. On Netflix and amazon there are all new faces but what keeps the audience intact is the strong story and plot.

Our drama industry is the strongest industry in the world and we can do wonders, but only when we realize our strengths.

BOL: You tested positive for COVID-19? How did people react and how you handled the backlash.

NR: More than backlash, the videos I made for COVID-19 helped hundreds of people and they had hope of recovering after watching my videos. I donated my plasma after recovering from COVID-19 and sent a message across that one can help other after recovering and this is high time we have to help each other. There are 4 to 5 people on the internet with the names of ‘Papa ki princess’, ‘Warrior Khan’ etc. who would start backlash and finish when one doesn’t respond to their crap.

BOL: Like other actors and celebrities, when are you starting your brand?

NR: I am a perfectionist; I can’t start something and be a headless chicken in the middle of the way. If I start something I will do a complete research and then move on. Right now, I am acting so that is my focus so I can’t put my feet in two boats. But one thing is clear that I’m not going to start anything in the industry like a production house or something but outside the industry.

BOL: Have you ever been a victim of payment issues in the production houses?

NR: There are two types of production houses; one who pay on time and the other who doesn’t pay on time – that means they never pay. With me, I don’t let my money go easily. I leave the work in the middle of a serial if I am not paid.

BOL: What you have to say to your fans?

NR: So many big names died, the recent torrential rains flooded the country and the on-going pandemic is another challenge so we have to be united, not on the basis of a religion or ethnicity but as humans. Help others and make ways for people instead of becoming a hurdle in their way.

BOL: As an actor what do you think doesn’t fit your personality.

NR: I am over observant and that I think should be less in my personality.