By Abid Usman
Actor Wahaj Ali has not only carved a niche for himself on television but also left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers. Defying the conventional norms of showbiz, Wahaj isn’t an actor who lets his star persona overshadow his characters. Instead, he lets his characters take center stage, allowing them to weave their stories and emotions through the screen.
His journey from his breakthrough role in Haiwaan to his recent portrayal in Tere Bin has been a testament to his unparalleled talent and dedication to craft. In a recent interview, Wahaj reflected on his journey, shared insights into the acting industry, and emphasized the need to prioritize quality content over the division between TV and film actors. In an interview with City Times, when asked about the origin of great actors, Wahaj acknowledged that acting is a skill that can be honed through training and experience. While some innate talent is involved, it’s the continuous effort to improve that truly defines an actor’s success.
Reflecting on his own success, Wahaj humbly credited his fans for driving him forward. He shared that he focuses on meeting their expectations and offering them the best version of himself through his work. He’s a firm believer in leaving the outcome of his endeavours to a higher power, demonstrating his faith and detachment from the materialistic aspect of fame. “Honestly, I just focus on how my fans want to see me and what they expect of me, how I can give them a better version of myself with each passing day with my work and then I leave the success or failure in the Almighty’s hand.”
Wahaj’s stance on evaluating artists based on their social media following is refreshingly insightful. He contends that actors shouldn’t be measured using the metrics of influencers. Instead, an actor’s worth lies in their on-screen craft and behind-the-scenes dedication. “I think we are unfairly measuring actors on the social media followers’ benchmarks that have been set for influencers. Without undermining the work and efforts of the influencers – I genuinely feel an actor is more about their craft on screen and behind the camera – than the number of followers.”
When asked about the pivotal moment he felt he had “arrived,” Wahaj remained modest. He refuses to rest on past laurels and views every project as an opportunity to outdo himself: “Have I really arrived? I think there is a lot more to be achieved. I am not someone who would just sit on past laurels, I aim to bring out the best version of myself as an artist with every project so I cannot zero in on a single one.”
Fear, too, has its place in Wahaj’s journey. He admitted to the fear he has of letting his fans down. “With each project that comes my way, my primary thought is always to think it through from my audience’s perspective. Will my fans like this? Will they appreciate and feel that I have met their expectations.”
Surprisingly, despite his growing popularity, Wahaj treasures his privacy and values the freedom that anonymity provides: “I am really blessed with the love I have been given – my fans give me strength and the power to go on. And they are the only ones I work for. Having said that, I like the freedom and privacy that anonymity provides.” Wahaj’s preference for a low-key personal life shines through his response to questions about being a social person. He remains grounded, spending time with his family and a few close friends, even amidst his demanding work schedule: “I am who I always was – I go on set, try to do the best and then come home and spend time with my family and a few close friends. As it is my work requires me to be away from them a lot (they are in Lahore, I am in Karachi) – my down time is for them.”
Addressing the debate surrounding actors either being made for TV or film, Wahaj refused to entertain the notion of division. “I am no expert on the big screen but I do feel it’s a lot of things and biggest being lack of screens for people to go see the films and lack of content options. Why get into the battle of TV actors or film actors when we don’t have enough quality films even getting made for the audience to see or the actors to work on. Audience wants to be entertained. They want value for their time and money and it is not specific to Pakistan. It’s the case across the world. Now that the mediums of and access to entertainment have grown significantly, people will make time for quality only.”
Finally, when questioned about the criticism of taking on numerous projects, Wahaj expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to choose. “At this point, all I can say is I am blessed to be showered with some amazing projects and a chance to work with the best in the business. I am trying my best to pick projects that showcase me in different ways. The ability to choose from many offers is also a blessing on its own. I am just happy that work is coming my way and I am able to deliver honestly.”
Wahaj’s journey in the entertainment industry is marked by humility, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His reflections offer a glimpse into the mind of an actor who understands the importance of authenticity, quality, and the enduring bond with his audience. As he continues to impress on both the small and big screens, Wahaj’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists and a testament to the power of passion and hard work in the world of acting.
