So, we had been counting down to meeting the super savvy and good looking team Janaan – Armeena Khan, Bilal Ashraf and Ali Rehman! Our Managing Editor Mahvash Sheikh interviewed the trio and got the inside scoop on the actors’ taste in fashion and romantic side!
If you ladies are dying to know, the two men are definite romantics, but they somehow express it differently! Janaan the movie itself, releasing on Eid-ul-Azha, will be a case in point: two handsome hunks (Bilal and Ali) vie for the affections of a beautiful girl(Armeena) with comical consequences.
While Ali expresses his ardour with boisterous jokes, Bilal gives the impression of a slowly burgeoning thunderstorm; a dull din cooking deep beneath the surface, a slow but steady build up of bravado leading to a sudden explosion of pure emotion – utterly honest, primal and raw! (Bilal fighting through the flames in Yalghaar comes to mind). And therein lies the irresistable charm of Bilal Ashraf’s cool but intense persona. He’s definitely the man we would never laugh at, but laugh with. Turns out during the interview, he is quite the ‘man man’ in real life too! Dressed simply and effortlessly in a clean cut black shirt tucked into a pair of dark blue denim, he was as precise and to the point in his answers.
As for Armeena Khan, she was as much the beauty in person as she is on screen. A soft, feminine, classically beautiful face framed by an elegant braid and suave geometrical earrings, the lady eschewed quite the verve and energy we’ve, as of recent, started to notice about her. Her flair for fashion aside, we found her confidence most attractive; her style open and sincere, and her passion for acting underlined by a strict code of ethics and hard work.
Plunging in…
Q. So guys any fun BTS stories you’d like to share with our readers?
Ans: Bilal and Ali: Lots of clean fun and how did the chicken cross the road jokes! Armeena: One girl shooting alone in northern Pakistan with 51 guys. Now that’s something in itself! (Way to go Armeena!)
Q. Who forgot their lines the most?
Ans: At first everyone was pointing fingers at each other until Asfar, the Director, piped in that all three were good with their lines!
Q. Bilal, this was a different role from your previous film Yalghaar. Which was more challenging?
Ans: The romantic role in Janaan was definitely more challenging since Yalghaar was more physically driven, whereas Janaan involved the aspect of love, romance and drama! (Ladies I think we have the mystery of Bilal on our hands now *winks*)
Q. Are both you boys romantics?
Ans: While Ali guffaws a yes, Bilal is poker faced and serious in his acknowledgment of his romantic side.
Q. Would you opt for an arranged or love marriage?
Ans: Bilal and Ali: Love marriage. (We know we’ll have a quite a few swooners on our hands after this.)
Armeena: Arranged marriage. (Gents you know now who to impress to win this fair lady’s hand. We suggest you make a case in earnest to her parents!)
Q. Describe your ideal guy/girl?
Armeena: A confident guy with manners, who’s not a misogynist, in touch with his feminine side and intelligent. (Armeena that’s wise and we think you speak for all of us!)
Bilal : Honest, true, and chilled out ! (Ali humorously agreed. And we just love how these two are looking for real girls. Refreshing much!)
Q. What’s your personal style and any fashion pet peeves?
Armeena: Non fussy, likes clean lines, lilac, pastel colours and stilettos. Looks up to Audrey Hepburn and Kate Middleton for style inspiration. Does most of her shopping abroad since she travels a lot. Favourite designers are HSY locally and Ralph and Russo internationally. Dislikes 80s era permed hair!
Bilal: Not really into fashion. Keeps it casual and comfortable. Favourite international brand is Massimo Dutti and Ambassador locally. (Now we all know this good looking man doesn’t need much primping does he?! He is as he is and pretty cool at it – fit him out in some well tailored clothes and he’ll be good to go!)
Ali: Casual but depends on the occasion! (Everyone laughed). Favourite brands are Tom Ford and Mohtarram, an Islamabad based brand. Dislikes denim shorts!
Q. Bilal how did you become the brand ambassador for HSY?
Ans: By co-incidence! HSY is currently working on a project to give back to society, hence the interest and involvement. (We like him even more for this. And the down to earth chap never forgets to mention his dad who’s been a massive support throughout!)
With the three actors epitomizing the perfect blend of brains, beauty and brawn, we can’t think of a better cast to shed a positive light on Pakhtun culture, a theme which informs the background to the amusing yet engaging storyline of Janaan. These three take their art quite seriously (in case you didn’t know, Bilal is also a visual animation specialist), and with their intelligent attitude towards work and play, we can expect more robust creativity in the Pakistani film industry in the days to come.
Bilal asked doubtfully if the interview served the purpose since he’s not ‘into fashion’. Well Bilal, one’s expression of their authentic self is the ultimate fashion statement isn’t it? Ladies, what say?