Nadeem Baig, an ace filmmaker, producer, and director of the Pakistani television and film industry, started his career as a television director and later expanded his area of expertise in film direction and production.
Currently, his drama Sinf e Aahan is airing on ARY digital and is well received by the audience. Under his banner also comes the super hit Mere Paas Tum Ho starring Ayeza Khan and Humayun Saeed. In addition, Nadeem Baig has also directed three of the highest-grossing films in Pakistan; Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Punjab Nahi Jaungi, and Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.
Read below as he talks about his journey in the media industry, his friendship with Humayun, and his life struggles.
Sinf-e-Aahan
I don’t think Sinf e Aahan was a safe project because we mostly show a destitute girl as it gives ratings. The channels expect us to produce dramas that show a girl who is surrounded by many problems and then eventually gets out of them. This one (Sinf e Aahan) was different. In this, all the girls were taking their own decisions, and instead of getting support from their mother, sisters, or sisters-in-law, they were backed up by their fathers and brothers.
Nadeem Baig on Sinf e Aahan
He also praised the way Umera Ahmed has penned Sinf e Aahan.
Sinf e Aahan was well written. I just made it believable.
Nadeem Baig
Nadeem Baig explained that he joined Sinf e Aahan in the capacity of a director very late into the making of the project. When he stepped in, Sajal Aly, Yumna Zaidi and Syra Yousaf were already on board. Later Kubra Khan and Ramsha Khan joined the rest of the cast.
Since there were more than 100 locations, he described, it was challenging to shoot the drama and had many technicalities that needed to be taken into consideration. He also had to spend 3 months in PMA at one stretch!
He talked about the extreme weather conditions they had to endure, from extremely cold weather in Kakul to Gujranwala’s heat and also the rest of the cities.
Nadeem Baig further revealed that body doubles were not used and all the actresses had to do their own stunts. They even had to go through extreme lengths to look believable:
The actresses stood for four hours straight in the uniform that they wore during the passing out ceremony to prevent the uniform from wrinkling.
Nadeem Baig
When talking about the lack of representation of Karachi in Sinf e Aahan, Nadeem Baig said that this wasn’t on purpose and they tried to bring as much diversity in the drama as they could.
He also explained that it is difficult to train a new actor, thus, most directors stick with the same, experienced actors. He added that in Sinf e Aahan, they have introduced new faces including Dananeer Mobeen, Junaid Jamshed, and Major Samiya who is an army officer in reel as well as real life!
Nadeem Baig further told us that his experience in PMA was memorable and he made friends there as well.
I have made many good friends in the army and met some very good people. They are also very progressive and disciplined obviously.
Nadeem Baig
Nadeem Baig On The Cast Of Sinf e Aahan
Nadeem Baig certainly has an eye for talent and great observational skills! He was all praises for his cast.
He believes that all the girls in the drama eventually felt like LCs (Lady Cadets):
Nadeem Baig
I think the reason why they were so connected with the characters was because they did everything themselves. In the end, they started feeling like lady cadets.
About Sajal Aly, he had to say:
This is the first time that I have worked with Sajal Aly. I always liked her work. When I was working with her I realized that she always judges herself. She is very under-confident about her acting skills. However, when I tell her that the first take was good she would trust me blindly. Sajal also has a great sense of humor that only comes out when she is around the people she is comfortable with.
Nadeem Baig
For Yumna Zaidi, he was all praises:
Yumna is fantastic. The best thing about her is that as soon as the camera turns on, she completely transforms into her character and always keeps thinking of ways in which she can amuse the audience. She is very smart in that way.
Nadeem Baig
He thinks Ramsha Khan is incredible! This is what he had to say:
Ramsha is wonderful. I used to notice that before the scene she was never focused; however, as soon as the camera starts she will give great expressions. Ramsha was the one who was scared the most during the stunts in which she was standing at a height.
Nadeem Baig
He admired Kubra Khan’s sportiness as well as her acting.
Kubra is great at sports. She was the one who memorized the saluting test first, but had to stay behind because of her character.
Nadeem Baig
He thinks Syra Yousaf is the most mature one!
Syra is the smart and sensible one. However, when she starts laughing she doesn’t stop!
Nadeem Baig
He considers Sheheryar Munawar his friend!
Sheheryar is a very passionate actor. We have become friends.
Nadeem Baig
Just like us he thinks that Dananeer Mubeen is perfect for the role of Sidra!
Dananeer was recommended by ISPR as well as Umera Ahmed. She completely fits in her role.
Nadeem Baig
He wished the Sri Lankan star, Tashiya Kalidasa all the luck and had this to say:
Tashi is wonderful and she has a great future ahead. She is also very charming.
Nadeem Baig
His Career
The first serial Nadeem Baig directed was Parda Na Uthao. Later, he directed Man Jali which was his first serious play. He continued to work in his field and went on to give us many hits including the Baraat series and later debuting his film career with Ye Jawani Phir Nahi Ani.
I joined a channel as an intern. The first serial I directed was ‘Pardah na Uthao’ which was written by Umer Shareef and directed by me.
Nadeem Baig
He talked about how he always feels that directors are not given enough credit for the comic series and dramas they do and get more recognition for the serious ones instead.
His Friendship With Humayun Saeed
Nadeem Baig and Humayun Saeed share a great bond as colleagues and as friends. Both of them have time and again proven what a great team they are!
He talked about his friendship with Humayun:
I worked for Sitesh Sahab and he was doing a serial, Jani Anjani which starred Nadia Jamil and Asad. They were casting Humayun Saeed for a positive role and Asad for a negative role. Later I cast him for Lady’s Park. I was a director for 2-3 telefilms for which he acted.
Nadeem Baig
The way he speaks about Humayun certainly shows the respect he holds for him!
I think Humayun is a very nice man and is down-to-earth. He is also a very natural actor and has a great screen presence. He is a very good friend and there is nothing like working with friends if you get a chance to.
Nadeem Baig
His Personal Struggles
Nadeem Baig talked about the loss of his two children with a heavy heart.
That was a tough time for me and my wife in every aspect. We already had lost a daughter. My wife would have high blood pressure during her pregnancy which would scare us. After we lost our second child it was very traumatic for my wife and we decided not to have children.
Nadeem Baig
He later talked about how they got out of the difficult time after they moved to Karachi. He narrated that his wife got a job in Karachi and later he was also offered the job of Head of Entertainment. Then, after years of emotional and financial difficulties, things finally settled down and were blessed with twins.
His journey is certainly an inspiration!
His expert opinion regarding the flourishing of Pakistani cinemas is that it needs commercial films to generate revenue. He says that a lot of heed is paid when one is producing a film and there are many layers hidden under the story. He is all set to release another film in 2022! We cannot wait to watch it and we wish Nadeem Baig best the luck for his upcoming projects!
