Filmmaker Wajahat Rauf has expressed immense pride in his son, singer and actor Aashir Wajahat, humorously describing their relationship as 'reverse nepotism' and admitting that he is now frequently recognized because of Aashir's fame. In a recent interview, Rauf opened up about his son's growing popularity in the entertainment industry, emphasizing that Aashir carved his own path to success without relying on his father's name.
Reverse Nepotism: A New Dynamic
Rauf told the host, 'I'm very happy you introduced me that way, that he is the father of a huge star. This might be reverse nepotism. It is a very good thing.' He reflected on how his family's interactions with fans have shifted due to Aashir's success in music and his recent role in the drama Kafeel. 'People used to come up to me for pictures, but ever since Aashir released his song Sadqay, nobody asks for me. I thank God for this, that they are interested in him,' the filmmaker said.
Aashir's Grounded Nature and Education
Rauf described his son as a grounded young man who is not driven by fame. 'He does not do it for this purpose. His brain works differently; not for the sake of ratings and trends. He has also gotten involved in the storytelling process of my films,' Rauf shared. He added that he and his wife have always encouraged their children to pursue their interests while prioritizing education. 'Education is important. Aashir also got 8As in school, so he took it seriously. I was the headboy, as was he. We both have been in bands and are used to performing and doing speeches for large audiences,' the filmmaker noted.
However, Rauf stressed that he would have been proud of his son regardless of the career he chose. 'I told him do whatever you want but do it well. 10-year-old Aashir would beg me to let him be the small character in dramas. Now that he is older, he is happy his success came later,' Rauf said.
Rauf's Own Musical Journey
Reflecting on his own career, Rauf admitted that music was his first passion. 'I was a failed musician,' he said with a laugh, explaining that although he loved music, he never expected to achieve success through it. 'I have been a musician since I was seven years old and can play five to six instruments. I got good professionally but people did not know what was good or bad at that time.'
The filmmaker also revealed that his children grew up surrounded by musicians, including Aamir Zaki, Ali Zafar, and the Noori boys. 'These artists really influenced the kids,' Rauf said. He added, 'I think it is good that I did not get famous from it [music] and they came into it on their own. Now there are no comparisons of where they come from, whether that be in music or in the acting world. We all have our own fields in show business.'
Family and New Projects
Rauf noted that his wife is also in the industry as a producer, but he has 'no correlation to that side of the business,' saying, 'I think that made it very easy for me to focus on my craft, and it has created such a well-mannered environment on set.'
Discussing his new Express TV drama Shaandaar, Rauf revealed that the serial is inspired by a true story and features a talented young cast. 'I have always worked with young talent since I started in 2003. When I got the opportunity, I liked that the story was based on true events and suited this age group.' Regarding the cast, he praised Ali Dayan as 'an incredible talent' and noted that this is his first time working with Areeka from Kafeel. He also called Shamoon Abbasi 'a master of his craft.'
Rauf also commended Express TV for giving creators artistic freedom, saying, 'Express lets you do creative stuff rather than forcing casting. They tell you to do your own thing and I easily accepted.' He added that the channel 'also experiments and that has worked for them. They are changing their overall screen with Raja Ka London, where we are getting a good thriller which other channels do not have.'
Upcoming Film: Panchhi Pyare
Currently, Rauf is preparing for the release of his sixth film Panchhi Pyare, a family comedy set to hit cinemas soon. The film adds to his diverse portfolio in the Pakistani entertainment industry.
