Rashid Farooqui– the underrated gem

Spending more than 30 years in the TV and film industry, today Rashid Farooqui has become a name to be reckoned with

There are a few inspirational people who you meet once in life and they leave a lasting impact on you with their words or work. Having met celebrities every now and then, I realised that everyone is camera conscious, or I should better be saying that they are conscious while speaking to a journalist. However, it often happens that a few, especially senior celebrities, are not afraid to speak their or your truth. They do not dread speaking about their roots, where they belong and everything you ask them.

It was my first visit to FM Radio 103’s office when I bumped into the veteran actor, Rashid Faroouqi. Dressed in a half sleeve check shirt and casual camel-coloured pants, he was busy using his phone while Iqbal Shah, the RJ of the show, distracted him and introduced us. We were heading for lunch after the show was over when Rashid joined us.

I professionally introduced myself as I knew that he is a senior and I should be breaking the ice first. We took the elevator and reached the nearby food centre. We sat upstairs in the hotel and ordered food. I did not know how to begin the conversation as sometimes you don’t want to sound like a fool in front of a walking acting institute sitting right in front of you.

I gathered the courage and casually started talking. “So which drama of yours is currently on-air?” Ah! This is not what I meant to say, I thought to myself. “There are two dramas currently on-air.” He politely answered while putting his glasses and mobile on the table.

I asked another question not to break the tempo of our conversation “Who is your favourite co-star”? He smiled and said, “I don’t know actually.” I looked at him as I could not understand his reply. “I don’t know your definition of having a good co-star but I personally like Saleem Mairaj as he has been my companion and we started this journey of acting together.”

People know that Rashid Farooqui started his career as a theater actor but not many know that he used to work in a government office as a clerk and had never even imagined in his dreams that his life would change and he would become an actor.

“I was a clerk in a government office. Someone asked me if I want to act in a theater play and I said yes. Then I never looked back. Acting is what I have been doing since then.” Watching Rashid’s plays, movies and dramas one would clearly understand that acting comes naturally to him. He started doing theater and there is no doubt that what actors learn from theater speaks volumes when they perform on big or small screens.

“It was not easy to get into the industry. Today actors have access through many platforms. When I decided to do acting, I never looked for any other job. Acting became my passion and last love.” Rashid explicated that how there weren’t any big production houses and actors would be self-critical about their performances as there weren’t any social media or fan based platforms to get the feedback which was, near to him, quite difficult.

“I always believed that what I have performed will pave my way and get me another drama, film or play. Therefore, I have always been absorbing characters so when I perform I should not have my personality reflected in it. People should not be watching Rashid Farooqui but the character I am playing.”

It was surprising for me to know that not many theater actors could make it to the position where Rashid Farooqui is today. Was this his determination that led the way or he had no other option? “Have you heard of Ghazanfar Sahab?’ He asked me.

“I formed a theater group called Baang in which Mohammad Hanif would write plays for the group whereas Mussadiq Sanwal would be directing the plays. One of our plays called Marney Kay Baad Kia Huga went so popular that it encouraged me to spread my wings as an actor and I reached to Ghazanfar Ali’s office as he was the only producer that time.”

He continued, “He would not meet anyone without an appointment. But I was adamant that I would meet him. I went to his office consecutively for two days and finally met him. I asked verbally told him about my profile and asked him to give me a role in a TV drama.”

I asked him which role did he ask for and which drama was it? He laughed and replied that he was ready for any role because he just wanted to act as it had become his bread and butter now. He finally got the role but as he is highly self-critical he told me that his performance was not at par.

“I knew that I haven’t performed well. But yet I went again and asked Ghazanfar Ali to give me another chance which I am sure he never regretted.” He replied, laughing.

Rashid did more than 90 plays for Ghazanfar’s private TV channel. “I explored this medium which was bigger and people now knew me by my characters and they would often stop to meet me on the streets. It was pure joy, I must say.” The shine in his eyes was worth watching.

His eyes looked untired of acting as he recalls moments from his sets and the beginning of his career. However, he said that monotony tires him. He is not happy if one character is being offered to him again and again. “I rarely reject any project as I am a passionate actor. Having said that, there are times when I find characters similar to the ones I have already performed but I try to do it differently and watch the episode when it’s aired for self-analysis. As I am a firm believer that my present performance will bring me the next project.”

How the film industry’s doors opened for Rashid?

“It is another interesting story,” he says, “I never stopped theater though; with one or another group I was doing theater side by side. Although Ghazanfar Sahab was the pioneer and he is the pillar of the industry that is standing firm today, but other production houses started opening and I started getting offers for dramas. It was during that time when a producer wanted to cast me in her movie and I happily agreed. After some time someone told me that that producer has finalised the casting and your name is nowhere there. She thought that I was not fit for any role.”

“I went to her office and waited for her. The next day I put my concern in front of her that I was supposed to be doing a role in your movie but I have heard that you have completed casting. She called me to her office and asked the same guy to read the script for me. I was offered the role of Shankar in her movie Ramchand Pakistani.” He proudly tells me.

He kept mentioning that work needs commitment and devotion without which he could have not reached where he is today. He said that destiny plays its role but one’s hard work also pays off. ” I was nothing 40 years ago, but when I was given an opportunity I explored my talent and then never let any chance go in vain. I never fought for lead or second lead because I love what I do and delivering it perfectly should be my achievement as an actor. I do not fight for a spot.”

“Your acting molds you, breaks you and makes you. By this I mean an actor should develop with his work, progress with his work. Film industry’s doors might have opened for me with Ramchand Pakistani but I had to approach people for work since people started thinking that Rashid is now a film star so I was not getting roles for television dramas.” He chuckles.

From getting noticed in 2005 with a telefilm Shah Rukh Khan Ki Maut which also won him an award at the 5th KaraFilm Festival, Rashid always aimed to fly higher without giving himself any break or hiatus which actors usually take when they think they have done alot for the time. He also won a special jury award at the festival in 2009 for Ramchand Pakistani. In 2011 he won a Best Actor award from Hum TV for Gullu Ustad. And in 2012 at the SAARC Film Awards he won the best actor award for Ramchand Pakistani.

His acting prowess speaks of his passion and hunger to learn more every day. There is no doubt that theater has produced brilliant actors and Rashid Farooqui is one of them, a living legend and actor par excellence who has been delivering back to back strong performances.