HALF HOUR WITH... NAMEER KHAN
FROM PAKISTAN TO CANADA...
INTERVIEWER: SAFA ADNAN
PHOTOGRAPHY: SHAN ALI
HELLO NAMEER! TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF
I was born and raised in Lahore. I studied there up until my Bachelor’s in Software Engineering. Worked in the same field for one year, before moving to Canada for my Masters. Now, I have been working as a Software Engineer in Canada for the last two years. Also, I am working as an actor/model in Canada and Pakistan.
HOW DID YOU ENTER THE MODELLING/ACTING INDUSTRY?
I got my portfolio done and started dropping it to agencies for work and nothing went as planned. Faced many difficulties, as I had no contacts in the industry. Long story short, someone scouted me from Instagram and that is how I got my first campaign in modelling. Whereas my acting career started in Canada; simply by applying for jobs and auditioning for them. My goals are high and trust me this is just the beginning of something big.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR TIME BETWEEN CANADA AND PAKISTAN?
In all honesty, it is hard! I am working as a Software Engineer/actor in Canada, so when I come to Pakistan I work remotely for the company at night and do acting/modelling during the day. However, I am enjoying this struggle as I know it will lead me to my destination.
ACTING OR MODELLING, AND WHY?
Acting for sure! It allows me to put myself in someone else's shoes - different characters, personalities, choices, and beliefs. It’s an interesting concept. Living alone in Canada has helped in exploring different characters in me. I deliberately used to act distinctively with different group of people and I used to enjoy that.
ACCORDING TO YOU, WHAT IS ONE THING THE PAKISTANI INDUSTRY CAN ADOPT FROM THE WEST?
There’s a lot to improve however, I’ll pick two things: work ethics and payment on time.
TWO THINGS YOU WISH YOU KNEW BEFORE TAPPING INTO THE MODELLING INDUSTRY?
There’s only one thing that I realized very late in this industry, and it was ‘benefits of fashion editorials’.
ONE PERSON YOU'D LOVE TO DINE WITH AND WHY?
Momina Mustehsan because I briefly crossed paths with her in a TV commercial. She was humble and kind enough to have a 15-minutes conversation with me so I would like to listen to her journey and learn how she grew to be an icon yet remain humble and kind.
NAME THREE THINGS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST
Book a show with Netflix Canada, book a web series or film in Pakistan and parents’ happiness.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS?
As a successful actor and businessman whose parents are living a very happy and comfortable life.