WEB DESK: After Asim Raza's commercial and critical success of “Ho Mann Jahaanâ€, Munawar will now be seen in ad filmmaker, Nadir Shah's, directorial debut, Project Ghazi. Pakistan’s rising star Sheheryar Munawar is all set for his new film venture, sources reported.
Sheheryar Munawar and Syra Shahroz will be seen working together in this project. Besides the duo, the film is full of the talented artists.
The film has Humayun Saeed who will be seen playing a mentor to Munawar's character. The veteran Pakistani actor, Talat Hussain will be essaying a complex character whereas Jalaibee's Adnan Jaffar and Blind Love's Aamir Qureshi will wear the antagonist's hat (yet again).
An actor prepares... Shooting with the legend #talathussain . #projectghazi
A photo posted by Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui (@sheheryarmunawar) on
The shoots of the Project Ghazi are going in Northern areas of Pakistan.
On asking about the main focuss of the film, Sheheryar Munawar disclosed that even though the film is a patriotic action-thriller; it is apolitical and doesn't propagate hatred for India (like many of our nationalistic films have done in the past).
"Project Ghazi is basically an action film, but has nothing to do with anti-terrorism and doesn't campaign against India," Munawar clarified. "As an artist, we have a social responsibility to reduce negativity and with Project Ghazi we are playing on metaphors, but have stayed away from controversies. There's no point in adding hate."
This certainly doesn't mean that the film lacks nationalism. Comparing it with The Bourne Identity, Munawar said, "The film does have a nationalistic sentiment, but in a whole new light. I believe it's something along the lines of The Bourne Identity."
He also revealed that the film has helped him evolve as an actor, as this is the first time that he has ventured into a totally different genre.
"It's been an amazing experience. It is entirely different from Ho Mann Jahaan. Arhaan was a grey character, with layered and complex personality," said Munawar while comparing Zain (his character's name in Project Ghazi) with his character in HMJ. "But Zain Taimoor is an out and out action hero. He's a very nice guy, but has certain issues going on in his personal life, but overall he has a very serious aura about him [unlike Arhaan]."
Sheheryar Munawar admitted that shooting for Project Ghazi has left him drained, emotionally and physically.
"There are stunts involved such as hand-to-hand combats, so I had to keep fit. It's been exhausting but I'm testing my limits and my range," he shared. "I played a lot of sports in my college, but now I'm increasing my stamina and working on my physicality. I literally had to become as fit as an athlete for this project."
Speaking about the emotional aspect of his role, he said, "Apart from being physically challenging, it was emotionally challenging as well because I am a very expressive person, but Zain isn't. And since we have been shooting throughout, it has taught me a bit of self-control."
He also shared his work related plans, "I'll probably direct a couple of commercials. I believe working behind the camera has its own charm. I may get into writing as well, but I don't want to jump into anything right now; I want to take my time."
Sheheryar talked about his plans to do couple of more projects but he also insisted to take a break after the tiring and challenging shoot of Project Ghazi.