EXCLUSIVE: Fawad Khan on security as an actor to seek meaningful stories, not hog for screen time: “I've always been in favour of a better narrative”

Popular Pakistani actor Fawad Khan has marked his return with an intriguing project Barzakh. With two episodes already aired, the series is receiving critical and audience acclaim, respectively. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Khan opened up about his decision to take on a role in the series Barzakh, despite it being an ensemble project. As a popular actor, Khan has the privilege to be selective about his work, and some might question his choice for this particular series.In a recent interview, director Asim Abbasi himself admitted he wasn't initially considering Khan for the role of Shehryar. Abbasi acknowledged Khan's star power and wondered if Khan would take on a role that's not the central lead. However, Khan emphasizes the importance of feeling secure as an actor. In the interview, Khan says, “I'd also mention that to Asim that don't be surprised. I've always been in favour of a better narrative, as opposed to screen time, but I feel that there's one end where it's the stories that are not single-shoulder stories. And those stories are more complex, even though single shoulder stories also have the margin for complexities, but there aren’t enough scripts that are developed.”“I would rather be a part of something that is more gratifying when it comes to at least, the narrative itself. It’s more satisfying that if I remember it after several years, and at some point, my children grow up, and if they ever see it, they should say that our father was part of something that was more meaningful,” explains Fawad Khan.He continues, “Having said that, I have no qualms, I have no restrictions when it comes to doing films or doing projects that have the need for a single shoulder character if the narrative is attractive which I haven’t seen it yet. On top of that, I think Asim Abbasi's work is always ensemble-based, but his work that I've seen, and I feel that he's a very gifted writer and director that when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped to it.”On the work front, Fawad Khan was last seen in Pakistan’s highest-grossing blockbuster The Legend of Maula Jatt, Money Back Guarantee and the international series Ms. Marvel.On the work front, Fawad Khan has several projects in the pipeline. Starting with Barzakh, which dropped a July 19 release globally. This will be followed by Shandur, apparently set for the SonyLIV platform. He also has Pakistan’s first Netflix project Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo. The actor also is producing and starring in Neelofar with Mahira Khan.ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Fawad Khan BREAKS SILENCE on Bollywood comeback with a rom-com: “Baatein ho rahi hoti hain...”