Fahad Mustafa’s expanding empire

Two-time boxing world champion, British-Pakistani boxer Amir Khan launched the Super Boxing League (SBL) in Karachi last week. Khan serves as co-chairman of the league, which comprises eight teams from all over Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot and Quetta – owned by cricket and showbiz personalities.

Among them is one of Pakistan’s most celebrated actors, Fahad Mustafa, who has officially bought the Karachi Cobras and is currently making waves for his appearance in the trailer of Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, the upcoming sequel from Nadeem Baig in which he has replaced Hamza Ali Abbasi.

“The idea behind SBL is to promote the talent that never gets through. Amir and I had several discussions when he and Bill Dosanjh (entrepreneur) from India had come to Pakistan, establishing the SBL at that point in time,” Fahad told Instep over a telephonic chat from Turkey, where he’s shooting for an upcoming TVC.

“Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shahid Afridi have each bought one team and by next month, it’ll be huge as we’ll fully get into it. Of course, it won’t be as big as PSL, but it’ll be very interesting.”

While Fahad has a number of projects, ranging from hosting a gameshow, producing drama serials, starring in potentially blockbuster films, having a fragrance of his own to co-owning a boxing team, one wonders what made him venture into this space. “It’s funny how I’ve loved boxing all my life; I’ve been more of a follower. I’ve been a fan of greats like Muhammad Ali and in recent times, Amir Khan of course. I found it very interesting to be a part of something that hasn’t really been in Pakistan for so long, but is being brought back, something that’s being recreated in a way.”

The tournament, which would span over six weeks, is slated to begin from September 28 and conclude on November 3. It is being organized in association with the Punjab Sports Board and World Boxing Council, the latter having sanctioned some of the world’s most high-profile bouts. As per the usual boxing championships’ criterion, bodyweight would determine an athlete’s category. Locally, the live telecast rights will be awarded to the highest bidder, while internationally SBL will be broadcast in over 50 countries.

Each team will comprise ten male and two female fighters in the squad to hold fort for their respective teams. As recruiting begins this month, Mustafa plans on going back to the roots and test boxers from Lyari to celebrate the rawest talent of Karachi. “I think choosing boxers has been a collective effort. Amir Khan has opened up five to ten gyms in the respective cities only for people who can or could train to box,” shared the actor. “I think from there we’ll get to shortlisting boxers that could eventually perform even better. It’s a long, yet interesting process since this platform can put these players on the global map.”

Having worked his way up, a virtue he thinks is missing in the new entrants in the entertainment industry, multi-tasking has evidently proved to be fruitful for Fahad. He believes he is in equal parts dedicated as he is lucky to have had the opportunities he’s landed.

“I feel I’ve been very lucky with the kind of people I’ve just happened to befriend. I’ve never tried to, but it happens by default, I end up with the right people who are able to see the potential in me that at a certain point in time, I couldn’t,” Fahad observes. “I feel I’ve always been spot-on with people; I was working with television giants like Babar Javed and Momina Duraid, who wrote characters with me in their minds, from Main Abdul Qadir Hoon to Kankar. Fate had it in my favor.”

He added: “I then thought to myself, how long would I wait for them to call me and offer me the right scripts? Hence, I founded my own production house, Big Bang Entertainment. With films, of course, I’ve been fortunate that I’m always Nabeel (Qureshi)’s first choice. Even Nadeem (Baig) and I got along really well during Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2. Again, I’ve been fortunate that I’ve gotten to work with two of the most successful filmmakers we have, simultaneously.”

Starring in two of this year’s most anticipated films that are set to release on Eid-ul-Azha such as Nabeel Qureshi and Fizza Ali Meerza’s Load Wedding opposite Mehwish Hayat and Nadeem Baig’s multi-starrer sequel to blockbuster, Jawani Phir Nahi Ani alongside Humayun Saeed, Mawra Hocane amongst others, Fahad has his hands full for the rest of the year.

As he dubs for his films, his latest TV production, Meri Guriya has garnered critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of child abuse and as an actor, he’s signed onto his next film that goes on floors this fall.