Fahim Burney is a busy, busy man. No, scratch that out, he’s an immensely busy producer-writer-director, given his string of past successes in both television and films.

His newest production, Dil Ka Kya Karein (DKKK), which is soon to go on air from Green Entertainment, is keeping him literally on his toes. Winding up production work and finishing up the shooting schedule with the DKKK main cast, Sadia Khan, Imran Abbas and Mirza Zain Baig among others, is his top most priority.

It is only when Icon matched his frantic pace that we finally caught up with him. Fahim Burney was on location, shooting with Sadia Khan, but being the gentleman he is, he didn’t say no to answering a few questions…

After a sabbatical, it seems you are back with Dil Ka Kya Karein. Tell us more about the project.

Producer-writer-director Fahim Burney has been the name and the face behind many successful television projects. What is he up to now?

Fahim Burney: After a much-needed and well-deserved break, I started working on Dil Ka Kya Karein with Green Entertainment. It’s a refreshing love story and I’m really looking forward to its airing.

Sadia Khan has been missing from the screen for a few years. How did you manage to convince her to make a comeback?

FB: I reached out to Sadia with my vision for this project. She loved her character and the idea that I had in mind, and that’s really what made her certain about returning to the screen.

Imran Abbas and Sadia Khan share great screen chemistry. Do you think they could become the next big screen couple?

FB: Well, social media has already been reminiscing their chemistry from Khuda Aur Muhabbat. But with this exhilarating new story, I think they can definitely be awarded that title.

What is the DKKK story about?

FB: It’s essentially a modern love story that embodies many hurdles and how the characters overcome these challenges. To know the rest, you’ll have to watch it for yourselves. I’ve also added a sequence about old age shelters and the bittersweet truth about them.

Mirza Zain Baig also stars in DKKK. What part does he play in it?

FB: Mirza Zain Baig plays the second lead that turns the story towards its major twist.

Where did the shooting of DKKK take place and when will it go on air?

FB: The shooting mostly took place in Islamabad, Karachi and at some beautiful locations in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the climax also takes place.

As a producer-writer-director what kind of scripts do you look out for or inspire you?

FB: Myself and Saji Gul [Head of Content at Green Entertainment] created the concept of DKKK. Saji helped me a lot while developing and writing the script, initially penned by Edison Idrees Masih with the help of the content team of Green Entertainment. I’m always looking for unique ideas and fresh perspectives. Recently, I had also worked on a youth-based project, College Gate, which became a major hit amongst all ages.

After 2003’s Pyar Hi Pyar Mein, do you have any plans to return to films?

FB: I don’t have any plans for a film at the moment, but you can most certainly look forward to it in the near future.

What does the real Fahim Burney look like behind the mask?

FB: The real Fahim Burney is not very different from the reel version. I wouldn’t say I wear a mask, I go everywhere as I am and that is how I portray myself.

Any challenge you plan to take head-on in the very near future?

FB: I aim to keep bringing unique and interesting concepts to viewers and to revolutionise the Pakistani media industry in any way that I can.

Published in Dawn, ICON, April 28th, 2024