Meet Inaamulhaq, the Iraqi major from Airlift

After winning accolades for his role as Iraqi major Khalaf Bin Zayd in recently released Akshay Kumar-starrer Airlift, the gifted Inaamulhaq will be seen next in debutante director Mehran Amrohi’s Chidiya. The actor tells us that he is very picky when it comes to his film roles. Excerpts from our conversation:

After your debut in Firaaq, you have been very selective with your roles... I am very choosy when it comes to scripts. I don’t want to do mediocre and repetitive roles. For me, a wholesome film matters. I feel writers don’t write good scripts. I believe filmmakers have underestimated the audiences.

How do you juggle your acting and writing Acting comes first for me, but since I am so choosy, it is hard to earn my living with it. For the survival of my family, I write. Writing may come secondary for me, but it keeps me busy. I have the confidence that I’ll get good work.

How did you bag your debut film Firaaq in 2009 I acted for 12 years on stage. I worked on the creative development of a TV show and the casting director recognised my talent. In 2009, I met Nandita Das and read the script of Firaaq and I got the film. Later, director Nitin Kakkar saw my work in Firaaq and offered me Filmistaan. Then Raja Menon saw my work in Filmistaan and I got Airlift. It has been like a chain...

Tell us something about your next film, Chidiya. Chidiya is an educational and social film. It is the story of two children and their dreams. I have an interesting and important role in the film.

How has your life changed after Airlift I never thought that Filmistaan would become a hit. In terms of my career, nothing has changed so far except that I got 5-6 awards. For me, the entire film has to be good. Airlift is a brilliant film. I am glad that my role of an Iraqi major was appreciated so much. I never do any roles to get awards.