'Baby' actor Mikaal Zulfiqar on why he vanished from Bollywood after a couple of films

After Fawad Khan, another heartthrob from Pakistan’s television and cinema has caught Bollywood’s attention. He is Mikaal Zulfiqar who starred in Neeraj Pandey’s highly-acclaimed Baby. A brief chat with the softspoken actor, who is no stranger to Bollywood.

How did you bag the important role of Ashfaq the all-purpose Mr Fix-It for the film’s hero and his team?

I got the role because of my previous appearances. The casting director Vicky Sidana and the director Neeraj Pandey had seen some of my work. They were looking for an international cast. So I was chosen.

Why did you vanish from Bollywood after doing a couple of films?

After I did the late Jagmohan Mundhra’s ‘Shoot On Sight’. I also starred in ‘U R My Jaan’. Unfortunately it didn't do well at the box office. I've been busy in Pakistan doing television serials and commercials. Much of my work is being shown in India on Zee’s Zindagi channel.

You’ve lost quite a lot of weight since we last saw you in ‘Shoot At Sight’. What’s the secret formula?

The secret to my weight loss is my wife, Sara. She's a nutritionist. Thanks to her I mostly feed on fruit and vegetables now rather than meat.

How does you wife cope with your sizable fan following?

She is very supportive. And I have never tried to cross the line with any other woman. I am a family man first. We trust each other completely. I'm trying to be a good actor, not a sex symbol.

Baby shows your country Pakistan as the hub of terrorism. Your take on this?

Terrorism is one of the biggest maladies in the world these days. Pakistan suffers most from it. The world should unite to combat terrorism.

What are your future plans?

Future plans? To continue acting. I'm busy with many projects on television at the moment and have also started my own production house. I'm currently producing my first TV serial for HUM TV.