Ali Zafar needs no introduction. The multi-talented star is known for his acting and singing – and recently, even for his painting.

But how is he as a person?

Ali comes across as having one the most optimistic personalities.

Having been the first from our media fraternity to cross the border to India, Ali says it’s irrelevant to think that he’s paved the way for other Pakistani actors to perform in Bollywood.

However, speaking of his first visit to Mumbai during the shoot of Tere Bin Laden, Ali shares that he had expressed to a friend his desire to become a Bollywood hero, but his friend had instantly snubbed him, saying nothing of that sort has ever happened or will ever happen.

But Ali’s persona exudes extreme positivity.

“I believe that everything a human being can ever dream of can come true if they work at it sincerely and with a positive mindset,” Ali said during a telephone interview from India.

“I worked very hard during the shoot of Tere Bin Laden,” Ali reminisces. “I was staying in a hotel for a month, away from family and feeling homesick. But I made sure that the kind of experience I give to my producers is such that they should be encouraged to not just work with me again, but also any Pakistani for that matter, because that sets a precedent.”

Ali Zafar as Tutu in 'Kill Dil'. – Publicity photo

Ali believes it’s a great step that more Pakistanis are now working in Bollywood and becoming part of successful ventures.

“I would like to take pride in the fact that I’ve always vouched for this,” says the inspiring artist. “I would like more Pakistanis to come to India and vice versa, because I believe that the more the exchange between people and art, the easier it will become for us to understand each other and realise the things which we can never do by staying at a distance.”

But why don't we see that many Bollywood celebrities come to work in Pakistani films?

Ali explains that the reason is simple, based on commerce and infrastructure.

“India has the biggest film industry at the moment, churning out one film a day on an average,” says Ali. “There’s a lot more room to have people come here [in India] to film, whereas Pakistan is an nascent industry; it has just started to develop and will take a while to grow.”

Ali, however, says he’s very delighted to know that the Pakistani industry is finally on the right track and believes that the exchange is already happening.

“We’ve had Naseeruddin Shah appear in Pakistani film Zinda Bhaag and we’ve had Indian artists coming in TV commercials from Pakistan,” adds Ali.

He explains that just as Hollywood is a big industry and artists from around the world going there to perform better, Bollywood too, over a period of time, has become a place where people now consider going to be recognised internationally.

He also hopes that the Pakistani industry receives the same level of respect with its growth.

“I hope that the Pakistan film industry goes to that level one day when people from all over the world would want to come to Pakistan, because of Pakistan.”

But industry stars like Shaan have clearly expressed that for Pakistani industry to grow to that level, it is essential for our actors to stay and perform here in Pakistan.

Ali, however, has a different opinion and chooses to look at things in a “logical fashion”.

“We must look and ponder over the mechanics of how the Pakistani film industry has grown,” says Ali, talking about the time when the industry was suffering due to the quality of films that were being produced at the time.

Ali explains that before Indian films were allowed in our cinemas, Pakistani industry was making films, which were not appealing to the masses and the industry was losing the audience.

“In 2007 for the first time, Indian films were allowed back in [Pakistani] theatres, which propelled the audience to step out of their houses and start going to the cinemas again,” Ali elucidates.

“This helped to bring more business and more cinemas, to the level that when Waar came in 2013, we [the Pakistani film industry] had reached to a level where we could produce 23 crores,” he stresses. “Now how did that happen? Indian films made a big contribution in doing that.”

Ali emphasises on taking a realistic approach: “We should indulge in more productive thought processes rather than regressive ideologies and move on, because it’s only good for us and the next generation, that is my humble opinion.”

Ali speaks proudly of his upcoming Bollywood film Kil Dill, clearing any doubts fans may have of him playing a supporting role.

“That is far from the truth,” says Ali. “Kill Dil is a story about two friends, Dev (played by Ranveer Singh) and Tutu (myself) who are picked up from a garbage can one day as children and they grow up to be assassins, working for Bhaiyaji (played by Govinda).

Dev falls in love; I (as Tutu) sustain my love with a gun and hence the conflict arises,” shares Ali.

Though Ranveer’s character has a love angle, Ali says his own character is a more serious, dominating guy in the equation.

Ali has no doubts that his fans will love Kill Dil as he says enthusiastically: “When you see the entire film, I assure you that I would make you all proud.”

He takes pride in his role and gushes: “From the first time that you see me on screen, you’ll whistle – and you’ll come out whistling and clapping.”

Ali passionately talks about his experience while working with his co-stars, Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra and Govinda.

“The equation was fantastic; the chemistry was fantastic,” muses Ali.

“I have no words for the kind of appreciation I got for my work. Govinda praised my acting and said that after this, I would get a Hollywood film,” Ali laughs, clearly pleased with the compliment.

Ali Zafar, Govinda and Ranveer Singh in a scene from 'Kill Dil'. – Publicity photo

“I always wanted to create a niche for myself, a new kind of cinema with new kinds of roles," Ali adds. "I would coin the term as ‘alternative commercial cinema’ – an edgier, new age cinema which makes people experience something new and I have tried to do that with Kill Dil.”

With a hint of anticipation in his voice, Ali adds: “I hope that Kill Dil becomes the biggest film of my career so far and I hope that people go and enjoy it.”

So what’s next for Ali after Kill Dil?

A believer of “quality over quantity”, Ali says he takes his time to sign up projects and currently he hasn’t taken up anything new.

“I want to concentrate on my music and get my album out,” he shares.

Ali also confides that he’s refusing further projects in India, as he wants to make a film in Pakistan.

“I’m writing something now and I want to produce something for Pakistan and take Pakistan to an international level.”

Well, we’re anxiously waiting to see what Ali churns up!

Until then, let's gear up for Kill Dil on November 14, and hope it’s as refreshing as Ali promises it to be.