Following the massive success of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, actor Fahad Mustafa appeared on talkshow Haute Talk to discuss its popularity and why he decided to take on the role of Mustafa — a jobless-gamer-turned-gaming-whiz.
He also assured everyone that there would be no Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum sequel because why should there be? “There are no chances,” Fahad said in response to a question about the possibility of a Mustafa-Sharjeena part two. “I’m not that stupid,” he added. “See, I didn’t do this project to mint money. Yes, I will make a lot of money from it now. But that was not why I did it, so what’s the point of a sequel?”
Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum marked Fahad’s return to TV serials, though he’s quick to reject the term “comeback” since he has been working in films and hosting his TV show.
Fahad, who has achieved stardom through films such as Actor in Law, Jawani Phir Nahi Aani 2 and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad, as well as TV serials such as Main Abdul Qadir Hoon, reflected on the unique challenge of reintroducing himself as a character named Mustafa, that too, on TV, where you can’t be over the top.
“I’ve become this household name. Everybody knows me. The name Fahad Mustafa is a thing now. Other actors even complain about people calling them by my name,” he quipped. “But the real achievement for me was people remembering me as Mustafa, the character from Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. That’s the mark of a strong character and storytelling.”
Behind the scenes
Fahad expressed his pride in the audience’s reception of Mustafa, a character he carefully carved through observation — drawing inspiration from young gamers, their attire, and even their habits.
“I observed how these boys dress, their world, how they don’t take showers,” he joked. “I borrowed clothes from the boys on set to make them look authentic. Hania [Aamir] and I even shared clothes in some scenes to subtly convey intimacy. It’s not about grand gestures; the audience notices these small, meaningful details.”
Fahad attributed Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’s success to the collective effort of the cast and crew and his decision to immerse himself fully in the project.
The actor also credited Aamir, or should we say, Sharjeena, for being the star of Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum. “Mustafa was mostly reacting to what everyone else said or did. I think I only actively performed in the last three episodes.”
Despite his character playing a rather passive role for most of the show, Fahad views his success as a testament to his craft and the audience’s unwavering support.
“A lot of dramas work because of chemistry. And a lot of new actors gain fame for a character they played on TV. But for me, as an actor who has been doing this for a long time, to gain popularity once again for playing a certain character, is either kismet or people’s love,” he said.
“Before taking on this role, I knew I’d be respected for it because I know I do good work and my experience tells me while I’m on set what’ll be a hit or a miss. But I could never have imagined such a wild reaction,” added Fahad.
Taking on Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum
“During casting, I was quite angry with actors who only talked about money. A good drama isn’t about money — it’s about being present during the whole process, about giving it time. I gave nine months to my director, living the character on set, and that dedication paid off.”
Interestingly, Fahad was initially set to star in another drama, Burns Road Kay Romeo Juliet. However, he decided to take on Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum instead, partly because of Aamir’s insistence and his loyalty to producer Jerjees Seja.
“Jerjees has always valued me, and I felt ARY needed my presence in this project. It wasn’t about the money; it was about giving back.”
With Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum behind him, Fahad’s focus remains on delivering meaningful performances, whether on television or the big screen. And for those hoping for a second chapter in Mustafa’s journey? Fahad has made it clear — some stories are best left untampered with.
