Fresh off the big screen, young talents Samar Jafri and Aashir Wajahat sat down with BBC Urdu to discuss their latest Eidul Azha release, *Na Baligh Afraad*, and the 90s era in which the film is set. The production follows two meek schoolboys, comically named Mazhar and Fakhar, who, in efforts to transform themselves from scrawny, bullied boys to macho men, try to rent an adult film and find themselves caught in an amusing chain of events. While the premise may seem ridiculous at first, this Nabeel Qureshi direction is more nuanced than it sounds.
Samar and Aashir described their characters as “innocent” boys. Samar explained that the film follows two immature kids who are growing up with time, and Aashir added that they are not your average brothers, having grown up in the 90s when there wasn’t as much accessibility as today. He emphasized that their naivety is multiplied compared to today’s children, highlighting how kids who don’t fit into the stereotypical cool kid criteria have the urge to fit in, which can sometimes mess up their lives.
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Talking about the challenges of adapting to an era they didn’t grow up in, the pair credited films and cult classics from the time, like *Andaaz Apna Apna*, for their portrayal of the 90s. They noted that every child hears stories from their elders about the 90s or whatever time they grew up in, making it easy to understand what life was like back then. Humorously comparing the era of Walkmans and VCRs to the present day, they agreed that 2024 is a much better time to live in, particularly because social media has opened many doors for them as musicians.
Samar brought up his past project, *Mayi Re*, the acclaimed drama that thrust him into the spotlight, and expressed his gratitude for starring in *Na Baligh Afraad*. He shared that it’s a dream come true for an artist like him who just started in the industry to move from one drama to a film, recognizing that many actors haven’t yet gotten a chance in cinema. To deal with his growing popularity, Samar emphasized the importance of having a family that keeps him grounded and friends that keep him humble.
Aashir candidly spoke about nepotism in show business, acknowledging that his entry into the industry and subsequent projects were facilitated by his parents’ involvement. He defended his position by noting that directors like Nabeel Qureshi wouldn’t compromise on the quality of their work. He also discussed the debate over whether an actor’s physical appearance matters, asserting that while looks do matter, platforms are now writing new stories that might settle this debate soon enough.
The duo wrapped up their session by playfully musing over which Bollywood stars they’d love to collaborate with once the ban on Pakistani actors is lifted. Their ambitious wish list included industry icons like Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt, and the timeless Madhuri Dixit.
