We all like seeing our favourite actors in heroic roles, rooting for their characters, to be the voice of reason and brimming with substance. We imagine it must be such an unnerving process; to opt for something challenging, unseen yet lovable. We ask our stars their filtering process; “How do you choose your scripts?” Stay with us as they shed some light on their career choices.

Junaid Khan

I see which character is suitable for that point in time, be it negative or positive. My purpose as an artist is expression and exploration.

Bilal Abbas Khan

10 years into the future, I want to be satisfied with all the choices I make and all the characters I played. I know what I want to do and where I want to be. I focus on the margin [of the character], the role has to be challenging and needs to take me out of my comfort zone, and the story has to be different.

Zarnish Khan

First thing I do is listen to the one liners. If I like the story then I go through it myself. I don’t care about the screen time if the character is interesting enough. Something that makes me want to take it up, like Donia was in Ishq Zahenaseeb. My character needs to click with me.

Sonya Hussyn

I get offered a stack of scripts every month and I plough through them in the hunt for the role which I find best. I want to explore my craft and skill and take the opportunities I am offered to best diversify my portfolio. Something I feel I am fated to do. •