Hamza Ali Abbasi reflects on his approach to playing morally complex roles
- Hamza Ali Abbasi discussed portraying morally ambiguous characters.
- Abbasi reflected on the lessons these characters impart.
- He believes in a clear boundary between himself and his characters.
Renowned actor Hamza Ali Abbasi recently appeared on a podcast to discuss his career, acting methodology, and his approach to portraying morally ambiguous characters. Best known for his roles as Afzal in Pyarey Afzal and Noori Nath in The Legend of Maula Jatt, Abbasi reflected on the lessons these characters impart and how he separates performance from reality.
Unlike method actors who stay immersed in their roles for months, Abbasi believes in a clear boundary between himself and his characters. “I respect actors like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who live in their characters for months,” he said, “But for me, the deeper I dive, the more I fumble. I need that clear separation.”
Discussing his intense roles, Abbasi explained that detaching from his characters is crucial. “If I let my characters seep into my life, it would be exhausting. Noori Nath is ruthless, and I have to leave that energy on set.”
Abbasi also emphasized the importance of well-written antagonists. “Afzal committed murders, having become a gangster, and of course, so did Noori Nath,” he shared. “But they both met tragic ends, and that’s what I appreciate about their arcs.”
Concluding the discussion, Abbasi stated, “I love what I do, but at the end of the day, I leave my characters on screen. That’s how I stay grounded.”
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