Actor-director terms Fahad Mustafa only actor who has made it, reflects on talent, cinema and his creative journey
Model-turned-actor and director Raeed Muhammad Alam reflected on Pakistan’s entertainment industry during a podcast appearance, discussing the shortage of film heroes, saying fellow star Fahad Mustafa was the only actor who had truly made it.
Alam argued that while the contemporary landscape is overflowing with talent, true cinematic presence is rare. “Our industry has mostly good actors, but we don’t have heroes,” he said. He added, “An actor can be anyone, tall, short, heavy, dark, a TikToker, or an influencer; but not everyone can be a hero. For a hero, from the hair on their head to their toenails, they must carry a proper, good-looking presence, aura, and mannerism.”
According to the actor, however, the industry remains stagnant because production houses refuse to invest in raw talent. “Heroes are made, and there is training for them. But who will take the risk? Everyone just wants a ready-made meal. If you have talent, pluck a boy or a girl, groom them for six to seven months, and cast them. But no one takes that risk,” the actor said. This risk-aversion, he noted, is why the industry lacks genuine variety.
“If we talk about a real film actor who has truly made it here, that is only and exclusively Fahad Mustafa,” Alam stated. He added, “Fahad knows how to carry himself, and he worked incredibly hard for it. But one person isn’t enough, you need at least 15 to 20 heroes and heroines for an industry to develop and move forward.”
Discussing the technical execution of cinema in the country, the actor said that the lines between media have blurred. He noted that many modern stars balance high-fashion modelling and mainstream acting. The transition, however, has not translated well to the big screen, Alam said, citing a lingering influence of television on cinematography. “Most film direction here looks just like drama direction. That’s why it doesn’t feel like a movie, it feels like a TV drama. Their shot-taking and production designs are identical,” he said.
When asked about digital influencers transitioning into mainstream media, Alam remained objective but noted that viral fame cannot substitute for emotional depth, saying, “There’s no restriction on who can enter. But they must have an innate acting sense.” According to him, “Acting happens when your heart starts feeling it, and your mind starts understanding it. If you don’t have that feeling inside you when a scene demands it, you cannot be an actor.”
The actor also shared that despite holding an ACCA qualification, he never considered a desk job, stating, “I cannot do a standard job. Sitting in one place for two to three hours makes me incredibly restless. I feel like I’m wasting my time. I am mischievous, I need to be active, and I need to move.”
This energy is what drove him to assist filmmaker Saqib Malik for nine years before stepping in front of the camera, a trajectory Alam said made him a far better artist. “I became a much better actor after becoming a director because I could see the flip side of the content. Showbiz is a book with many chapters, if you are a capable student, you can read multiple chapters. There is no rule saying that if you direct, you cannot act.”
Alam also addressed society’s focus on commercial gain, urging a return to human empathy over financial greed. Recalling a turning point in his life, he shared, “Some very bad, strange years happened in my life, call it evil eye, jealousy, or whatever. When you stay awake alone at night, you realise what you are losing and what you are gaining. Amid those trials, I came closer to Allah.”
Moving forward, Alam shared that his sights were set on long-term goals rather than short-term visibility. Over the next five years, the actor stated, audiences can expect him to transition to directing features. “In the end, my ultimate goal is the director’s chair. I’ll still do a couple of acting projects a year to stay close to my fans, but directing remains my favourite chapter in the book,” Alam shared.