Living Legend – Talat Hussain
It’s the oldest adage in the business: the bigger the personality, the shorter the introduction. However, one can’t but write at least a few lines about this marvellous actor who has superseded the star status that so many actors aspire to achieve, and become a household name synonymous with exceptional acting. Talat Hussain is from that breed of actors who took up acting not by default, but because of their love for this art form. He is the true definition of icon, not just because of his work, but because of his great personality.

Q — What’s keeping you busy these days?

A — I’m teaching at NAPA; apart from that I do one or two television serials a year, if the serial is good. And some odd play, if it is interesting and I like the script. I have also written about three or four plays for television and a few short stories, which were well received. The response I got encouraged me to think about writing a book, and currently, I am working on one or two novels that I haven’t been able to complete. The first novel is historical; the theme is very difficult – it’s about different religions – so I had to start researching, and because I am not a professional writer, it took me a very long time to gather all the necessary facts. Now, I have reached the point where I can pen it. Hopefully, I’ll succeed in completing it soon and get it printed this year.

Q — Is the novel in English or Urdu?

A — I don’t believe in writing in English, the reason being that we have our own culture and environment. If I write in English, I might get international recognition, and also make a lot of money, but the purpose of writing, which is to realize yourself and introduce your ideas to the people, gets defeated. I cannot work by separating myself from my cultural values and my country.

Q — People mostly know you as a television actor; not many know that you are also very active in theatre. When did you start acting on stage?

A — Long time back! But, not before I started acting in front of the camera. When I began my career as an actor, I had no idea what theatre was, although I had always wanted to act. It was only after joining the industry that I became familiar with the other genres of acting. In those days, people who wanted to act could only aspire for films, so it was not surprising that I too, launched myself in the world of celluloid. Gradually, I realized what acting was all about, and as my horizon expanded, and I discovered different mediums, I tried my hand at those as well.

Q — Most television actors who have also performed in theatres feel that the charm of theatre cannot be matched by television or film — in spite of the fact that it doesn’t pay as well — because of the instantaneous response from audiences. Do you agree?

A — Theatre is a complete art form. Actors have to perform with their whole being; if they are not convincing, people won’t buy what they are saying. In film and TV, there are retakes and camera effects which help the actor in giving a convincing performance, but which are obviously missing in theatre. On stage, for the two hours or so of drama, actors have to live in that world as that character, and have

nothing but their own skills to rely on to
put up a convincing performance. So, it’s a difficult art form.

Q — Do you think theatre has been
overshadowed by films and television, and is a dying art?

A — Film is an art form of the 20th century, but in this art form, the aesthetics – its philosophical aspects and symbolism – are not in every film. The films that have these aspects are a form of art. I wouldn’t call commercial films a form of aesthetic art; they are commercial art, just like cinema billboards or advertisements. And no, I don’t think theatre is a dying art form, if it hasn’t faded away from the time of the Greeks, I don’t think it will fade now.