Ali Wasi Kazmi, who plays the scheming anti-hero Sikandar in the action-thriller drama Raja London Ka on Express Entertainment, revealed in an interview that his portrayal was shaped by honest feedback from a close friend and co-star. The show has taken the television industry by storm, with Kazmi's performance at the center of its dark narrative.
Co-Star's Brutal Honesty Sparked Growth
Reflecting on his debut role in Bakhtawar alongside Yumna Zaidi, Kazmi admitted that while public praise was encouraging, it was his friend and fellow Raja London Ka star Samar Jafri who gave him the perspective he needed. 'Samar is someone I really like because he speaks to me very straightforwardly. He openly told me, "You performed very badly in Bakhtawar."' Rather than taking offense, Kazmi used the critique to refine his acting, shifting away from amateur habits to master subtle screen presence.
How Kazmi Landed the Role of Sikandar
Kazmi shared that his friendship with Jafri came full circle while they were hanging out in Lahore. Jafri received a call from the Raja London Ka production team asking if there was a guy available in Lahore for a character role. 'I was in Lahore, and Samar was there with me. He got a call, while sitting next to me, from the production team asking if there was a guy available in Lahore for a character role,' the actor recalled. He added, 'The casting team later looked at me and said, "Ali, you naturally walk and talk exactly like this character." If I weren't sitting there with Samar that day, I wouldn't have auditioned for Sikandar.'
Director's Guidance Key to Capturing Psychological Depth
According to Kazmi, although he easily found the physical essence of Sikandar, capturing the psychological weight of a manipulator wasn't instant. He opened up about his early days on set, saying, 'The first four to five days of filming were highly intimidating.' However, a breakthrough came from director Fajar Raza, who helped Kazmi peel back the layers of the script. The actor noted that Raza's precise direction gave him clarity to understand Sikandar's planning, schemes, and quiet calculations. Under the director's mentorship, Kazmi stated that he 'managed to settle comfortably into the role.'
On-Set Dynamics and Real-Life Contrast
Discussing the production dynamic, Kazmi stated that it worked seamlessly alongside Jafri's leading performance. He recalled that crew members often remarked that they 'chose the least violent person in real life to play the most violent character on screen.'
From Arts College to Viral Success
Reflecting on his life before entering the entertainment industry, Kazmi said he was paving an independent creative path. Coming from a traditional family background where his father expected him to join the military, he initially enrolled at the National College of Arts to hone his creative passion but then dropped out to chase storytelling. This move materialized with his indie visual cover of Paar Chana De, which exploded online, crossing 28 million views on YouTube. The success, according to the actor, proved that he had the visual eye and screen presence to captivate an audience, ultimately acting as his calling to mainstream television directors.
Future Projects and Character Choices
With Raja London Ka continuing to introduce major plot twists, Kazmi shared that he is fully enjoying Sikandar's ongoing arc. Despite receiving new offers since the show began airing, Kazmi stated that he remains conscious in choosing not to rush into signing his next project, preferring to take his time and evaluate characters with depth.
