anish Nawaz is a well-known actor and director, who has been achieving remarkable success since 2001. Hailing from a family with a rich theatrical background, he initially pursued engineering before discovering his true calling in the creative arts. Nawaz’s early years in television allowed him to refine his craft and develop a distinctive style that blends humour, sensitivity, and narrative depth.
As a director, Nawaz has become a household name, earning critical acclaim for successful productions such as Chupke Chupke, Hum Tum, Kaala Doriya, Dobara, and Jafaa.
Beyond his directorial achie-vements, Nawaz made his mark as an actor in films including Wrong No and its sequel Wrong No 2 — which he also wrote. He captivated audiences with his comedic performances in Chakkar and Chain Aye Na. Nawaz’s ability to move seamlessly across genres while adapting to production challenges is his greatest strength. He is now embarking on a significant new venture with Geo TV’s drama serial, Sanwal Yaar Piya (SYP), a project generating considerable anticipation.
Featuring a stellar cast including Feroze Khan, Dur-e-Fishan Saleem, and Ahmed Ali Akbar, SYP marks his first collaboration with all three actors. The series also represents his inaugural partnership with renowned producing duo Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi (of 7th Sky Enter-tainment) for Geo TV. The combination of a compelling script, an ambitious production team, and an experienced cast promises an exciting addition to Nawaz’s impressive portfolio. In this conversation with Instep, he shares his insights.
Instep: Why is Sanwal Yaar Piya (SYP) significant for you, and what distinguishes this project from your previous works?
Danish Nawaz (DN): As a director, Sanwal Yaar Piya marks my debut production for Geo TV with 7th Sky Entertainment. It’s an entirely new creative landscape for me — my first collaboration with this production house, channel, writer, and all three lead actors. It feels like a fresh beginning across every aspect of production. The narrative, conceived by Hashim Nadeem, explores the profound consequences of long-standing enmities and how they ripple through comm-unities and relationships. The project is produced by the exceptional duo Abdullah Kadwani and Asad Qureshi, who offered me the artistic freedom every director dreams of.
The substantial budget allowed me to fully realise my vision — from filming complex action sequences and creating authentic set environments to executing ambitious stunts. Such resources are rare in Pakistani television.
Collaborating with producers who are genuinely committed to quality entertainment made the experience immensely fulfilling.
Instep: How would you describe the overall experience of directing SYP?
DN: Abdullah and Asad’s substantial investment has set a new benchmark for television production. In an industry where quality films are rare, 7th Sky is striving to elevate drama productions to a near-cinematic level. SYP has established standards that others will find challenging to match. Moving forward, I believe the industry will measure production quality against the benchmark this series will surely set.
Instep: How did the casting process develop for the lead roles?
DN: Upon reading the script, I immediately knew which actors were right for the principal roles. There was no debate or need to consider alternatives. The actors themselves responded positively to the script’s quality, making their participation entirely natural.
Instep: How has your exper-ience been working with these actors?
DN: Feroze Khan is exceptional — a skilled professional with unwavering passion and impeccable punctuality. I had complete confidence that he would come prepared and ready to deliver an excellent performance and he did just that.
“As a director, Sanwal Yaar Piya marks my debut production for Geo TV with 7th Sky Entertainment. It’s an entirely new creative landscape for me — my first collaboration with this production house, channel, writer, and all three lead actors. It feels like a fresh beginning across every aspect of production. The narrative, conceived by Hashim Nadeem, explores the profound consequences of long-standing enmities and how they ripple through communities and relationships.”
Ahmed Ali Akbar is a thorough professional who brings a certain calmness to the set, creating a positive environment for everyone. Audiences will notice his transformation in SYP, both in appearance and performance — it’s a complete departure from his previous roles.
Instep: What made Dur-e-Fishan your definitive choice?
DN: Dur-e-Fishan was the only actor I considered. Her character required extensive outdoor scenes — from university to courts, and various locations — demanding both energy and stamina. On screen, she may appear delicate, but off-camera she possesses incredible energy and passion. The combination of screen presence and physical stamina made her the ideal choice.
Instep: How do you navigate the unique dynamic of directing your elder brother on set?
DN: While Yasir Nawaz is my elder brother at home, on set he is a complete professional and an experienced actor. He understands how to respond to direction and maintain professional standards. He never makes me feel uncomfortable and focuses entirely on the work before him.
Instep: Recently, several artists have raised concerns about delayed payments. What is your perspective on this issue?
DN: Personally, I haven’t faced such challenges. I believe these issues could be prevented if artists established comprehensive contracts with clearly defined payment schedules and documented all terms before signing agreements. The artists raising these concerns have not specified which production houses, channels, or projects have caused difficulties. Had they established proper contractual frameworks initially, such disputes could have been avoided.
Instep: Some suggest artists avoid naming companies to avoid future repercussions. What are your thoughts?
DN: I believe work opportunities come from the Almighty. The industry offers abundant opportunities — it is thriving with numerous production houses and channels. Artists are not limited to working with a single entity, so there are always alternatives available.
Instep: How do you view the role of the Actor’s Collective of Pakistan (ACP) in addressing these issues?
DN: The ACP serves as an excellent platform for the artistic community and their welfare. It has made significant contributions in securing medical treatment, insurance coverage, and addressing various professional concerns for artists. Its impact could be even greater with government support to formalise these efforts.
Instep: You have achieved consistent success with television serials. Why haven’t you directed a feature film?
DN: I have received film offers, but I haven’t found scripts that meet my standards. While people often cate-gorise me as skilled in comedy, I do not wish to create a film that serves merely as entertainment without substance. I would like to produce a film with meaning and purpose. Cinema attendance is expensive today, and audiences deserve quality when they invest in tickets. Therefore, I am waiting until I find a project that I am confident about, one which will deliver value to viewers.
Instep: How do you assess the contribution of films like Deemak to our industry?
DN: Rafay Rashdi and Murad Ali delivered fantastic work with a film like Deemak. They introduced a fresh approach that resonated widely with audiences. The film’s treatment and execution, particularly the horror house concept, were brilliantly implemented. It provided quality entertainment and remains a positive contribution to our cinema industry’s revival.
Instep: Why is the industry slow to embrace OTT platforms?
DN: One private channel has produced content for Netflix that is scheduled to premiere soon. This will demonstrate the quality of our productions and content to inter-national platforms, potentially opening new opportunities. Additionally, local platforms such as ZAP and Urduflex have emerged, creating additional avenues for our talent. This expansion provides more opportunities for our artists to showcase their abilities and reach broader audiences.
Instep: Do you believe an original soundtrack can compen-sate for weak content?
DN: Ultimately, the narrative captures the audience’s attention, all other elements serve as enhan-cements. Occasionally, a soundtrack may be exceptional while the drama itself lacks quality, and conversely, outstanding dramas may have less memorable soundtracks. However, content remains the primary factor in determining success.
Instep: Is there any serial that deserves a sequel?
DN: Sequels often face high expectations and comparisons. They can reduce the element of surprise and seldom match the original. I prefer original storytelling.
Instep: Does social media help in discovering new talent?
DN: Yes. I have successfully identified and featured social media talent in productions including Chupke Chupke, Chand Tara, and Hum Tum. However, talented individuals utilising social media should also expand beyond creating content for personal platforms and actively approach production houses for professional opportunities.
Instep: What motivated you to transition from acting to directing, particularly when your acting career was flourishing?
DN: Acting presented logistical challenges — constant travel, uncertain schedules, and conflicting commitments. The complexity of managing conflicting schedules across different channels became particularly problematic. I prefer straightforward communication, and when issues arise, my concerns are evident. Rather than create tension, I decided to explore directing. Directing allows me to remain creatively involved while having control over a production. It also draws upon my acting experience, though direction demands more responsibility.
Instep: Can you talk about directors who have inspired you?
DN: I draw inspiration from several distinguished directors — Imtiaz Ali for his nuanced approach to romantic storytelling, Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his exceptional aesthetic vision, Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi for his masterful storytelling techniques, and James Cameron for his extraordinary attention to detail and technical innovation.
Instep: What projects are you considering next?
DN: I am currently reviewing several scripts and looking for something with a lighter tone. Each project demands tremendous energy, and SYP was particularly intense. I am both physically and mentally exhausted. I want to follow-up this project with one that is less exhausting.