'NAMEER KHAN' FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO NOW LIVING HIS TRUE PASSION & DREAMS
SUAVE, SUAVER, SUAVEST
A man of many talents, Nameer Khan is definitely one to watch out for this year. He is already a familiar face in the modelling industry with numerous campaigns to his name while also appearing in a bunch of TVCs and even testing the waters in hosting. With a Software Engineering degree and three years of expertise in the corporate world, Nameer isn’t looking back. This year, we can’t wait to see the aspiring thespian make his mark in the acting realm. Read on…
‘I feel there’s a lack of guidance for new talent; we pretty much have to navigate through everything ourselves’
Hi Nameer, a year later I am happy to have you here again. Now that we’ve stepped into the new year, how would you sum up 2022?
Hey! I am so honoured to chat with you again. When a platform like yours reaches out to you and that too, two years in a row, it honestly means a lot and the acknowledgment is definitely motivating to new comers like myself. 2022 was a roller coaster ride which didn’t quite take me where I had planned to be at this point, but whatever this ride has given me this past year I feel so blessed and can’t thank everyone who has been a part of it enough! God has been kind! ‘Alhumdulillah’.
You’ve been modelling for a while for some of Pakistan’s renowned brands. What made you gravitate towards acting? Was it always the dream?
Yes, it was always a dream! When I entered the entertainment field I had no clue about the industry. I feel there’s a lack of guidance for new talent; we pretty much have to navigate through everything ourselves. I started with modelling gigs at first, and meanwhile I kept researching, networking, figuring out where’s the right place to start and great people to work with.
‘I would have never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would be making my hosting debut on the red carpet for Pakistan’s biggest award show - HUM Awards - that too internationally’
What are your views on Pakistan’s TV/ film industry?
I’ll say that our industry is growing! I mean look at 2022. We shined bright in film festivals internationally, we got an Oscar nomination, we have a Grammy winner, our film made headlines internationally, our actors are working internationally, and our TV has always been appreciated throughout the South Asian community. With all that, I’d say our film/ TV/ music industry are doing great!
There is so much unnecessary negativity and hate around us, mostly on social media. How do you handle criticism and opinionated people? Does it affect you?
See, what happens is that when you have a purpose in life and a lot is at stake you have tunnel vision. It helps you to keep your head down and work hard without worrying about the things happening around you. You are deeply invested in achieving the things you have always dreamt of that you just focus on the positive things! Also, not everyone will like you, so I just try to focus on all the good around me.
Last year you were the digital host twice - for HUM Awards in Canada and for LUX Style Awards in Lahore. Walk us through your thought process once you found out. Is hosting something you’ve had interest in or was it destiny?
Touch wood. It was never in the plan which I had curated before starting my journey. I would have never, in my wildest dreams, imagined that I would be making my hosting debut on the red carpet for Pakistan’s biggest award show - H U M A w a r d s - t h a t t o o internationally. It still sounds surreal to me! Sometimes, I wonder what good have I done in my life that God has been blessing me with these opportunities.
T h e y a p p r o a c h e d m e o n Instagram and asked if I would be interested. I was so pumped! After sending in my audition, luckily, I got a call back interview from HUM TV. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for giving me this chance and for their constant s u p p o r t a n d a p p r e c i a t i o n throughout the process.
I think I was destined to do it! However, now it is part of the plan, I would love to explore this side of mine and would love to grab opportunities to host future red carpets or even a TV show.
‘God has been very kind that he has provided someone like me with such great opportunities in modelling, acting, and hosting across Canada and Pakistan. I am enjoying the journey, process, hardships, and the lows with gratitude’
You’ve worked between Canada and Pakistan, modelled, hosted shows and starred in a couple TVCs to name a few. In short, how would you describe your journey so far?
I love reading about people who have succeeded in their lives in many ways and the common theme that I’ve found amongst them can be summed up in this phrase: ‘The journey to your destination is what actually matters, not the destination itself.’ Like I’ve mentioned before, ‘Alhumdullilah!’ God has been very kind that he has provided someone like me with such great opportunities in modelling, acting, and hosting across Canada and Pakistan. I am enjoying the journey, process, hardships, and the lows with gratitude. Honestly, that’s the state which gives me peace, belief, and determination that I will get to my destination.
With so many fresh-faced actors and models tapping into the Pakistani entertainment industry, do you feel a certain pressure? Do you consider yourself competitive?
In all honestly, yes! I do feel a certain pressure, but it keeps me on my toes. There’s a very healthy competition out there. Also, seeing all these new faces, such as me, tapping into the industry shows that our industry has come a long way. I have a strong belief that goes: ‘Jis kay haq mein jitna rizq likha hay, wo usay mil ker rahay ga.’ Therefore, I absorb the pressure of competition in a positive way, which drives me to achieve and work more.
Over the years what has your career taught you about yourself that you didn’t know?
I worked for three years in the IT industry, and I have been working in entertainment industry for 18 months now, and honestly, I have learned a lot about myself and life in general. Things like uncertainty kills me; there’s so much more to life than being stuck in a rat race, so make wise decisions, have a side hustle, plan, save, and buy yourself some time so that you can work on your passion and dreams. Aim for fulfillment in life and make a conscious effort to spend time with your parents.
We learn from our past experiences but in hindsight, would you change anything from when you first started out? If yes, what would that be?
Honestly, it has been great so far! If I have to do it all again, I would love for it to be the exact same! I started my journey in 2021 but I planned for it in 2020. Good plan, hard work, God’s blessings, supportive friends, elder’s prayers and much more. ‘Alhumdullilah’.
For this year my aim is to do TV projects and put my trust in professionals to help guide my future in this field. In the end, it is those who have years of expertise that truly make the talent a star’
We know you’ve pursued software engineering - do you still work in the corporate world? Coming from a desi household how did your parents react to the shift in careers?
No, I am not working in the corporate world anymore. My parents were not supportive of me leaving my IT job and pursuing this new path. Therefore, I had to plan in such a way that I kept working for the Canadian firm remotely and when I saw that a lot is being offered to me in the entertainment world and I can rely on it financially, I left my corporate job. Hence, my parents had no issues with it. Also, I think that was a wise approach. You can’t just quit one thing and start another and that too when you k n o w y o u h a v e c e r t a i n responsibilities on your shoulders. I thank my parents for putting that pressure on me for not making a stupid move.
Your biggest strength and greatest weakness?
Strength: Adaptive! I like to take myself out of my comfort zone.
Weakness: I get emotionally attached to people very quickly.
Lastly, what are your plans for the year?
For this year my aim is to do TV projects and put my trust in professionals to help guide my future in this field. In the end, it is those who have years of expertise that truly make the talent a star.
INTERVIEW: SAFA ADNAN
STYLING: MARYAM RAJA
PHOTOGRAPHY: NUSAIR RAHMAN
STUDIO: STUDIOS 47
GROOMING: QASIM LIAQAT