A quick chat with the sensational ‘Tooti Frooti’ girl Ayesha Omar

Although the Eid madness is over and the Wrong Number-Bin Roye release is a thing of the past, Pakistani Cinema still has lots to offer. The film slate for 2015 is full of some very promising films which are sure to grab your attention and give you a dose of entertainment. And the first film post Eid that is going to make sure you fall in love with Pakistani cinema is the Wajahat Rauf’s road trip comedy ‘Karachi Se Lahore’. The film released its first trailer a few months back and became the hottest topic of discussion courtesy it’s very fresh feel, comic nature and of course the sizzling video featuring Ayesha Omar.

Now that there are about seven days left for the release of the film we decided to talk to the sensational ‘Tooti Frooti’ herself and ask her what the film is all about and what should we be excepting. So here is a brief candid chat with the ‘Khoobsorat’ girl of television who is all set to make her film debut later this month when her eagerly awaited film ‘Karachi Se Lahore’ finally hits cinemas.

So without much ado here are excerpts from a one on one conversation with the gorgeous and talented actress Ayesha Omar.

Momin Ali Munshi: Karachi Se Lahore’s trailer got fantastic reviews by everyone. The critics and the audience alike loved the freshness the film brought with it. How does it feel to have the first trailer of your first film receiving so much love?

Ayesha Omer: It feels great to have the trailer out there. Its actually a very new experience for me. I’ve done television for quite some time and have been seeing my face on the screen but film is a completely different ballgame. You know that your face is going to be magnified on that massive screen and that people will scrutinize every detail. Your acting, your expressions, everything will be magnified. Its daunting yet very exciting.

Moreover the fact that people are loving the trailer for my first film has me really excited. We have got some really great great reviews and people are generally excited for the film. Lots of other films are coming this year and there are dozens of trailers out there, but the fact that people are talking about our trailer and are excited for our film is really great. However these expectations make me a bit nervous too as I hope that we live up to the hype.

Momin Ali Munshi: Your dance/item number however got some mixed reviews and got tongues wagging. While there were people like us who just loved the peppy number and your dance moves there was another section who labeled it as “fahaash” and what not? Your take?

Ayesha Omer: Its not really an item number. People keep asking me why and well the definition of an item number is that its done by a female actress who comes just for one ‘item’ or one ‘dance’. However I’m the lead actress of the film and am hence part of the entire film. My dance is more of a performance with the other characters of the film with me. Its all part of situation a which I can’t really reveal. We are trying to get out of the situation by donning these disguises and yeah its just that.

I know we have mixed reviews but I don’t think there is anything ‘fahaash’. Yes I am wearing a very tiny chooli and lehnga but we wear such stuff to weddings too. Yes, I am dancing in front of a sea of men but the performance is not to seduce them. Its just an art form, a performance which is required by the situation. Its not just a random number to stir things up or to create excitement. It serves a purpose!  There is a thought process that goes before you do something, and if you don’t believe in it yourself and don’t own it well, nobody will believe in it or believe in you.

Its very tough to face criticism, these negative views, these statements. But you have to develop a thick skin when you enter this business. Actors are very sensitive. I’m a woman and I’ve been raised a certain way and sometimes I feel I don’t belong in this industry as I’m not that competitive and ambitious as my colleagues. I believe in giving the best to what you do, have fun with it and believe in it and leave the rest to God.

Momin Ali Munshi: We know you lent your voice to this song . Other than that there is not much known. So any new information on the song “Tutti-Fruitti” that the audiences might find interesting?

Ayesha Omer: Yes, I also sang the song and had a great time singing it. Its a completely new genre that I have tried as a singer. Hats off to Shiraz Uppal and I must mention him here as its commendable the way he was so patient with me. The way he made me record this, we spent a lot of time in the studio. I’ve never sung like this before. People have always said that when I sing I have this certain ‘angrez accent’. But for this song the tone had to be completely different, I had to sound very desi and my pronunciation has to be very ‘mela’.

It was tough but fun. Its all Shiraz and ‘Noori the band’ (Noori and Shiraz have done the music for the film). They were there to help me, to support me, to pamper me and to lighten things up. When my mother heard it she was like what are the lyrics but then eventually she fell in love with it. The lyrics are hilarious and quite catchy. Its a really fun song.

Momin Ali Munshi: The KSL team was awfully quiet after the trailer launch back in April. The promotional activities have started but with the film all set to release in a week don’t you think the marketing/promotion should have been started earlier?

Ayesha Omer: The marketing/promotion is up to the director, the producer and the marketing people. Honestly I was after my director Wajhat to start promoting the film as I saw all other films being promoted. I was like please can we start promoting and be a little more active on social media. Its that I’m very active on Instagram and Facebook and I see that my co-stars are not even there. They are not even on Instagram. I’m like dude don’t be so laid back and become a bit active. But Wajhat had another take on it and he is right. He believed there was a lot of clutter as lots of films were coming out. He wanted to let them create their buzz, let them release and then we start promoting the film. Now that the buzz around other films has died its the right time to promote our film. Moreover its his film, his baby so I guess he has right to do what he wants.

Momin Ali Munshi: Whats next for you after  Karachi Se Lahore?

Ayesha Omer: Well there is Yalghaar which comes out after this and the role I’ve played in it is nothing like Karachi Se Lahore. Its a completely different film and well we will talk about that when you interview me next after the release of KSL. Other than these films there is going to be lots of music. I’m also going to do some shows in the US. A little bit of theater and all.

Rapid Fire: Some options. You can select on any basis, just give one answer.

-Yalghaar or Karachi Se Lahore: Both. I love both and they are both very close to me.
-Acting or Singing  : Acting for now and singing in a little while but both.
-TV or Films : Definitely films for now. There is ‘Bulbulay’ which is like my family but other than that films.
-Box-office success or Critical acclaim: This is a toughie. Critical acclaim is way more important but we need box-office success right now. Only once we get box office success will more producers come and invest. Only then will other investors come to this business and make movies. Then we will actually be able to build this industry and take it forward. So box-office success for now.
-Arranged or Love Marriage : Love Marriage for sure.
-Shaan Shahid or Humayun Saeed : Shaan for films. Humayun for TV.
-Bollywood or Hollywood : Hollywood. Actually also Bollywood. I love them both.