Jitesh Pillaai talks about cover boy Fawad Khan

Border Prince

Heartbreak hunk Fawad Khan is on our cover this issue. The latest import from across the border is making himself quite at home in our climes. His suave good looks coupled with nuanced-filled acting makes him a darling of filmmakers starved for such goodies. Another thing that goes in his favour is that thanks to the hugely popular Pakistani soaps that have currently taken over the Indian living room, he's already the darling of the Indian masses - as most series have him in a starring role. Watching these serials, I can't help rue the fact that our soaps aren't as earthy, as real as their Pakistani counterparts...

But I'm digressing. Fawad's other redeeming quality is that he remains unaffected by this royal treatment he has constantly been showered with in our country. He's still so soft-spoken, so humble. He still carries a sense of wonder about him. In an age where even debutants strut about as if they own tinsel town, his old world charm comes across as a breath of fresh air. How I wish, some of our stars learn from him.

He'll be seen next in the family-oriented comedy Kapoor & Sons. He was seen bonding big time with co-star Sidharth Malhotra. The duo even reportedly played cricket during breaks. He was also said to be in awe of sharing screen space with one of his favourite actors, Rishi Kapoor. Fawad is a family man at heart, notwithstanding his standing with the fairer sex. He has steadfastly said no to doing intimate scenes in films. Now, methinks that's carrying things a bit too far but his determination is to be appreciated. In an age where we hear of affairs galore, it's good to hear of a man adhering to the straight and narrow path.

That he belongs to Pakistan and not India can be the single biggest deterrent to his career if tension escalates between our two countries. Art and culture binds our two nations together and more such exchanges should be encouraged. Whether actors can act as peace ambassadors remain to be seen but their continuing popularity in both countries is a sign that for the common people at least, borders don't really matter. What they want is wholesome entertainment and they don't care about the race, gender, religion or nationality of the actors as long as they get their money's worth.

I just hope and pray this new Khan on the block goes on to sign bigger and better films and keeps entertaining us in days to come... Amen!

http://www.filmfare.com/features/border-prince-10601.html