The young and talented team of soon-to-be premiered web series Baarwan Khiladi met the press to talk about their upcoming sports series that will be streaming on Tapmad from March 5th. Produced by Mahira Khan and Nina Kashif under the banner of Soul Fry Films, Baarwan Khiladi is based on Pakistan’s most followed sport, cricket.
The series features young blood like Danyal Zafar, Shahveer Jafry, Kinza Hashmi, Khaqan Shahnawaz, Zarrar Khan, Meer Yousuf and many veterans like Sarmad Khoosat, Saba Faisal, Shafqat Cheema, Usman Peerzada amongst others. Baarwan Khiladi is directed by ace filmmaker Adnan Sarwar, who has given us films like Shah, Motorcycle Girl and telefilm Aik Hai Nigar.
In a conversation with Aamna Isani of Something Haute, Mahira and Adnan Sarwar discussed how they view digital mediums and its relevance in today’s time.
“An actor like Anya Taylor-Joy had done features of small budgets before but no one knew her, until she did The Queen’s Gambit and she achieved global super stardom. Fine, we don’t have the kind of reach like Netflix or Amazon Prime has, but good content which is strong enough will always stand out,” Adnan expressed.
“I also think it is a different kind of super star; I think there are so many actors who do not get their due in films,” Mahira shared. Adnan agreed with her and added, “Look at someone like Pankaj Tripathi; we’ve seen him in multiple films, doing small supporting roles very efficiently but now someone made a series around him. It’s because it is difficult to make a 120 minutes film with so much finances involved without backed up by a big name. So, avenues are opening up but it is just that we [the old and conventional cinema lovers] are not used to making this transition.”
Did Mahira see the potential in these young boys in Baarwan Khiladi to become stars?
“My idea of being a star is longevity; they will be given opportunities and it is up to them to make the most of them. I believe that there will be a time when people will be picked from digital and put in films. There has to be consistent hard work for a long period of time to achieve stardom,” she said.
Did you self-censor while working on this series because usually digital mediums like more leeway?
“I was very squeamish because I have only ever done cinema,” Adnan said. Mahira shared that she believes when you put these things for the sake of buzz only then it sticks out like a sore thumb. “It never goes down well, but like in our series, a coach is going to speak like that. It is a requirement and hence it doesn’t look forced.”
Read: Trailer review: Baarwan Khiladi depicts passion, rivalry and politics in the game of cricket
Aamna also spoke to the young cast of Baarwan Khiladi about their experiences and expectations:
“I worked on this series first and then I shot for my first TV serial. There was a lot of difference between the two; my character in Taana Baana still had some elements of Danyal in it but Akbar is not at all like me. So, I had to put myself in another vessel, hence it was more challenging,” Danyal said.
“I was offered TV projects a lot and I am humbled by all the offers but I wanted to do something that I truly felt was inspiring or moving. I accepted Barwaan Khiladi because (a) the team and (b) it is different,” Shahveer said.
Aamna Isani with Danyal Zafar and Shahveer Jafry
Khaqan Shahnawaz and Zarrar Khan are buddies in real life and real life as well.
“I studied law, worked in a law firm and hated it. Then I went to a channel to tried learning hosting and realized why I am doing it for someone else. So, I started making videos on my Instagram and became popular,” Khaqan shared.
“The world operates on cause and effect. So, if we show that toxic men are successful and loved then more young minds will think that this is the right way to lead a life,” Zarrar emphasized adding that, “Such behavior should never be glorified.”
Watch the video here:
