The many colours of saris this man has donned might surpass that of a woman on TV. A man who has hosted the most famous television show in Pakistan till date, the Late Night Show with Begum Nawazish Ali , was recently seen on Indian television as ‘Begum' and Ali Salim. “According to my contract with Colors,” he says, “I was expected to be Begum on the show while they realised just before I was entering the house that I can't be Begum all along.” With immense control on his voice, he asserts, “I'm Ali.”
The stereotyped image of a character along with the dilemma of being Ali Salim on Season 4 of Bigg Boss , the reality game show, “contributed” to his “frustration”. “Had I entered as Ali and had I remained Ali throughout, I would've probably been a little more comfortable. But because I entered as Begum and then I became Ali and then again Begum, I was living two lives.” Being locked up in a place without proper food, adequate sleep and without means of entertainment and communication made it worse.
Asked whether being Begum was just another character for him, he explains it is indeed, but one that is an extension of his inner self. Besides, mentioning the theory that every human being has both a male and a female aspect, he says Begum in his case, was “the woman” in him “who came to life through this character”, which happens to be his creation. Though acknowledging the recognition and respect he receives as a result of playing the unique character, Ali admits he is now “pretty bored” of being Begum and is considering to “retire” very soon. On whether he'd prefer to play Ali Salim, an excited Ali almost jumps up with an affirmative reply.
There is indeed more to this man who appears as the ultra-glamorous Begum sahiba on television after his three-hour hair and make-up session. Ali has been a theatre actor since he was 18.
You might have seen him flipping through his cards on the show while throwing questions at his guests; Ali flips through the pages of many books when he is not on screen. Some of his favourites are Khalid Hosseini's “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and “The Kite Runners”, Fatima Bhutto's “Songs of Blood and Sword” and Paulo Coelho, all of whose books he says he has read.
The most famous and successful name in television in a country reeling under military regimes, violence and natural calamities recently, Ali Salim is now set to add another feather to his hat. He has been busy penning his memoirs which are likely to be published early next year by a French publisher.
