With his boyish good looks and chiselled body, Muzamil Ibrahim talks Bollywood
BY DISHI PHANGURHA | MAY 7, 2009
Name: Muzamil Ibrahim
Place of birth: Jammu and Kashmir, India
Age: 24
Height: 6ft
Star sign: Virgo
Birthday: 25th August 1984
Music videos you may have seen him in: Kabhi Aisa Lagta Hai (Lucky Ali), Tera Jeha Hor Disda (Rishi Rich) and Remix videos Pardesia & Honton Mein Aisi
Meet Muzamil Ibrahim, a successful model and now a cross over actor. Winner of 2003's prestigious Gladrags Manhunt contest in India, Muzamil was catapulted into the plush and glamorous world of modeling at the tender age of 19 and has not looked back since. Previous winners of the one and only unisex pageant, which involves final contestants being rigorously groomed and trained before taking to the ramps in the finals, included Dino Morea and John Abraham.
Q. How do you feel about being catergorise as a hunk of Bollywood?
MI: (Laugher) Every month there is a new hunk, that's just how it is. I'm no exception.
Q. You were discovered when you were chosen as the winner of Gladrags Manhunt 2003. Tell us about how you got into this?
MI: I never planned to get into Gladrags. I was in my first year of Mechanical Engineering degree in Delhi, when, on one lazy Sunday afternoon, my friend happened to stumble across an ad for a screen test for the Gladrags competition. I was one of the walk-in models and had to wait for ages, but I ended up being selected to join the other 60 guys who had been selected prior to that day screenings. One turn of events led to another and I was called to Mumbai to take part in the competition. That was a huge shock to me, I was only 19 and my exams were just around the corner. I had to make a choice between my studies or going to Mumbai.
Q. How was the experience of Gladrags?
MI: I was really young and a lot of the guys were pulling my leg saying that I should have entered a Kidhunt and not the Manhunt.
Q. Was it bitchy?
MI: (Laughter) No, no, not bitchy, just friendly competition. Guys have more of camaraderie than girls do.
Q. Gladragshas discovered the likes of Dino Morea and John Abraham. How did you feel when you were announced as the winner?
MI: I was blank for some time. I was like, "was it me?" (Laughter). I just turned around and thanked everyone. I think God was very kind to me that day. I think when you are supposed to do something, it just happens. Imagine me; you can never predict these kinds of events.
Q. What made you wait until now to get into films?
MI: I was only 19 at the time and I didn't even know how to act. I had to prepare myself in some ways. It's a serious business and I knew if I wanted to make my mark in Bollywood and be successful I would have to try and be the best I could. I always had a plan that although I was modeling, I would never stick to it. Modeling was fantastic but I always knew it would not last forever. I have done very well as a model but acting was something I always wanted to do especially because it was such a big thing for me to give up my education. I knew I had to make a success of myself.
Q. Your debut movie 'Dhoka' hit the silver screens in 2007. The film highlighted the global issue of terrorism. What made you choose this film over the usual love story as your introductory film?
MI: I was very clear in my mind that when I enter the film industry I wanted to be known for my skills. Everybody has a perceived notion about models in the sense that they are arm candy, hunks or just there for their looks, but I beg to differ. What led me to choose this film over any other film was that I wanted to play a more serious role and prove I could act. I wanted people to recognise me for my acting. I had researched for 4-5 months for this film. I read every article I could find on religion, terrorism, politics, Saddam Hussein, Israel, and the USA to prepare myself. The storyline is brilliant and is very dear to me - I wouldn't say so unless I was confident about it. I'm saying it because I am so sure of it.
Q. How was it shooting for 'Dhoka'?
MI: It was good, a very different experience to modeling. I've been on sets before for my music videos and my ads but to be on the set for a film is totally different. It certainly held a lot of importance for me because it's my first film. You do slowly get used to it, all the people, the surroundings and the atmosphere. I was aware of what it may be like on the sets and so I prepared myself accordingly. The experience was great even though the atmosphere was quite heavy because the film itself is quite full on and so a lot of the time we were concentrating on the film and it would take a lot out of you because it was very mentally draining getting into character to play Zaid Khan.
Q. Was your character Zaid Ahmed just a fantasy figure or drawn from reality?
MI: When this script was written - the character was created with me in mind. Initially, Mr Bhatt told me that the character was going to be very difficult to play but felt that it would be easy for me as he said that the character was me. I drew upon my own mannerisms, roots and background to help me connect with the character.
Q. What was it like to work with established names such as the Bhatt's for your first film?
MI: It was amazing. I have always admired Mahesh Bhatt's work so much and to get a break in his production house was such an opportunity. The script is very dear to Mr Bhatt and he had written it with so much compassion. I gave my blood and soul for this film.
Q. Were the Bhatt's tough producers?
MI: Not at all, once you have Mr Bhatt on the sets, everything was sorted. It was peace of mind knowing Mr Bhatt was there because he knew exactly what he wanted and he made it easy for me to know what I had to deliver.
Q. Are there any directors, producers or even actors you would like to work with?
MI: Yes, lots. All will be revealed in good time.
Q. How are you enjoying being in the glamour industry?
MI: I think I've calmed down a lot. I've have done more than my fair share of partying and now it's time to get into movies. Movies are more of a serious business.
Q. What do you think of all the media attention you receive?
MI: I have a hectic time ahead but I'm really geared up for that because as a model, I've received so much support from the public and now I want to go out there and meet them. I'm getting fan mail from all over India and even abroad and everybody seems to have liked me in my debut film. I really look forward to meeting all the fans.
Q. After a hard days work, how do you like to relax?
MI: By the time I came home from shootings, my eyes would be bulging out by a meter because I cried so much on set. I cried for real and without any glycerine everyday, for 21 days on the sets. It was emotionally and physically very draining and so I was too tired to do anything else. It was a very tight schedule and sometimes I would not sleep to make myself look tired in the film. I had to do it, as I did not know any other way. I lost weight because the situation the character was in was such that he would not have been in the correct mind frame to look after himself. Otherwise if I?m not shooting, then I like to read and meet up with friends.
Q. Will you still carry on with modeling?
MI: Ah, modeling is like having a thirst for blood. Sometimes you just turn into Dracula and when you get a taste for blood, you just want to kill more people after that - modeling is like that. I've got the taste for blood now and it's difficult to leave modeling.
Q. Phew!
MI: (Laughter) Yes modeling is very dear to me; I love the rush you get when you are on the ramp.
Q. You started modeling at such a young age, how did you manage to stay in control and keep your feet on the ground with all the female attention you receive?
MI: Why do I have to manage it? Who say's I was in control?
Q. OK, lets rephrase that question, how did you react to all the female attention you received?
MI: It's very overwhelming and you do get carried away. At that age I was quite frivolous and so you just enjoy it but you slowly become used to it. It's quite funny, a few girls have said and done some silly things, it's very sweet. It makes you feel nice and funny at the same time. I like it.
Q. Give me three words that would describe you?
MI: Three words? I think there will be fewer words to describe me. Hmmm...actually Muzamil means the complete man. So there you go, three words; the complete man.
