Pakistani actor Raeed Muhammad has shared a fascinating anecdote from the early days of his acting career, recalling how a surprising lesson from veteran actor Naumaan Ejaz helped him perform emotional scenes more convincingly.
During his latest appearance on a podcast, Raeed revealed that he initially struggled to cry on camera, making it difficult to deliver emotionally demanding scenes despite several attempts.
Recalling the incident, he said, "When I started my career, I didn't know how to cry. I was shooting a scene with Naumaan Bhai, Naumaan Ejaz, where I had to deliver my dialogues while crying. We did one take, then another, and then a third, but I just couldn't do it."
Raeed shared that he even laughed while telling the director that he simply couldn't bring himself to cry.
"I told the director, 'Bhai, rona nahi aa raha, main kya karun?' I tried glycerine and a few other things, but they never worked for me. Instead of tears, my eyes would just start itching," he recalled.
According to Raeed, Naumaan Ejaz then stepped in and asked what the problem was.
"Naumaan Bhai asked, 'Kya hua, rona nahi aa raha?' I smiled and replied, 'Nahi, rona hi nahi aa raha.' Suddenly, he gave me a serious slap across the face. It was such a strong slap that tears immediately started rolling down my cheeks. Then he said, 'Ab bacha acting karega.' I completed the entire scene while genuinely crying."
Looking back on the incident, Raeed said he later told Naumaan Ejaz that the slap had landed quite hard.
Despite the unforgettable experience, the actor spoke with immense respect for his seniors, saying they played a significant role in shaping his career.
"Seniors should always be respected. They have taught me so much. I learned a lot from Naumaan Bhai, and I also learned a great deal from Faysal Qureshi," he concluded.
Raeed's candid recollection has resonated with fans, offering a glimpse into the unconventional yet valuable lessons young actors sometimes receive from industry veterans while honing their craft.