I wouldnt call that acting. That role was just a value addition to Bol, Atif said. There was a lot of editing as well, a lot of my scenes werent included in Bol. The role wasnt really fleshed out, given the subject of the story, he explained.                                                          The shoot started on August 13, 2021 and finished by December 6. The entire series was shot in 77 Days in villages around Bughadh Mang and Sumn in Azad Kashmir, including a 12-day shoot in Islamabad.

Did Atif take up any acting classes for the roles, or were his experiences of doing music videos enough to take on such a diverse character?

I was actually watching a lot of Netflix. When everyone was hit by Covid-19, there was nothing else to do, Atif replied.

Its a strange way to attune ones senses as an actor, but to each his own, I guess.

The fact that I didnt adopt any acting pattern is what made me act naturally as Hilmand, Atif elaborated.                                                 Yes, it was a challenge, and I wont say I was ready for it. I was anxious. There was anxiety. Kya hoga, kaisay hoga. Director kaisa hai, loag kaisay hain. Saamnay jo actors hain, woh kitnay barray barray giants hain, loag kya kahengay [What will happen, how will the project pan out. What is the director like, what are the rest of them like. How will I perform in front of giants of the medium, what will people say], he said, listing off his apprehensions. And then, you know, there would be inevitable questions such as your singing career is still in its prime, why would you take the panga [unwarranted challenge] of acting?                                                              But playing Hilmand of Sang-i-Mah wasnt a panga for me. I wanted to do it, and I have thoroughly enjoyed doing it, he said. Actually, it was very easy for me, because everyone made me comfortable. I had heard a lot of things about Noman [Ijaz] bhai being difficult to work with and all that. I found him to be a thorough gentleman. He complimented me a lot, and told me to continue acting. He has been acting for years now, so coming from him thats something.                                                                                          Hilmand was a bit of a novelty as a character, so we were not looking for actors one often sees in television, Saife said.

Casting eventually settled on Bilal Ashraf, but the production couldnt start on time and Bilal had other commitments. Then Momina came up with the idea of Atif Aslam doing the role, he said.

When they first met, Atif told Saife that he knew of the directors amiable nature but that, when it came to his performance as Hilmand, Saife should be as blunt as possible, if need be.

Atif is a very concerned actor. In fact, he is still hounding Saife to dub a scene he may have fumbled in. Saife cant recall the scene Atif was referring to as we speak.                                                                     One can see Atifs dedication on the big screen  but Sang-i-Mah is bigger than Atif Aslam, the pop star-turned-actor who, as he himself confesses, is now bitten by the acting bug.                             https://www.dawn.com/news/1669773/spotlight-shooting-for-the-moon

A few of the fans are praising his acting by heart and wishing him luck. Others are writing famous Akshay Kumars dialogue,  Uday Bhai Yeh Kis line mey a Gaey Ap . Many are saying that acting is the job of an actor and Atif should only focus on singing. One fan said that expressions and voice didnt give that impact. One fan said that hes nothing in acting and Nauman Ijaz is great at acting. Many fans actually didnt like the dialogue Iblees ka Baap , a few said that such nerrative portrays wrong image of Pakistan. However, Atif Aslams fans were posting loving emojis under his clip , they were just waiting for his dramas. Many fans gave Atif Aslam an advice to stick to singing instead of acting. A few fans said that drama will be a Block Buster.                                                                                           https://dailytimes.com.pk/864954/public-reacts-to-atif-aslams-acting-skills/

I pose a rhetorical query: When Saife opted to include Atif Aslam in the cast, he must have expected the dramas hype to magnify. Yes, but not to this extent! People have been messaging me constantly ever since we started releasing the teasers. I have gotten queries not just from Pakistan but also from India and Bangladesh. I have even been added to groups on social media that have been created by Atifs fans.

The Aadeez? Yes! I am one of them now! laughs the director.              For Atif Aslam, the hype is testament to his star-power and the love of his fans. However, it does bring the pressure on him. Talking about his role in Sang-e-Mah, Atif observes, The fact that people dont expect a mistake from me is very intimidating. Acting as Hilmand was certainly something new for me but that didnt mean that I should stop taking risks or accepting challenges.

Discussing the acting process, he says, It was amazing to step into another character and learn so many new things. Memorizing Hilmand was a role and a half in itself. It was difficult for me to unlearn Atif Aslam and become this new person. I am hoping that the audience likes Sang-e-Mah. Fingers crossed!                                        How did the veterans on set feel about having one of the countrys most powerful rockstars suddenly take a turn towards acting and share screen space with them? This is a question that I pose to Sania Saeed, one of Pakistans most powerful actresses. I think it was a brave move made by Atif and I saw him working very hard, she says. He knew that was he in strange territory and in the company of seasoned veterans and he was very focused. I think that it was always promising to see new blood enter the field. There are roles for everyone. An older actor cant do the role of a younger character. There is a space for everyone to make his or her mark.

She continues, Saife is also an actor which I feel aids him when he is directing. He knows exactly how he wants the scene to be. I used to tease him that he would never say Shabash! to me after a scene was shot but he would say it to Atif! He would joke back that I could act as soon as I woke up from sleep while this was Atifs first time, she laughs.                                                                                                           On that very promising note, Sang-e-Mah-Mah gears to make its TV premiere. The first episode will also be premiering on the cinema screen and theres no denying that it is preceded by a great deal of anticipation. The inclusion of Atif Aslam particularly places the drama in the spotlight, which is both a blessing but also a burden. The drama could become an overnight hit  but it also runs the risk of being criticized rampantly.

Hopefully, people will like it, says Saife Hassan.

Hopefully, yes, they will.                                                                          https://www.glossetc.com/curtain-raiser-glimpses-from-inside-sang-e-mah/