In conversation with Ali Ammar

Following his acclaimed performance as Moon in Tan Man Neelo Neel, Ali Ammar takes on the challenging role of Captain Isfandyar Ahmed Bukhari, which demanded months of physical training and emotional preparation.

Directed by Haseeb Hasan and produced by 7th Sky Entertainment, Captain Isfandyar Shaheed, which premiered on Geo TV on July 19, chronicles the life and legacy of the decorated officer. In an interview with Instep, Ali Ammar discusses landing the role, preparing for its physical demands and the responsibility of bringing a national hero’s story to the screen.

Instep: How did 7th Sky first approach you for the role of Captain Isfandyar Ahmed Bukhari?

Ali Ammar (AA): In January 2026, I had just wrapped Tan Man Neelo Neel and was receiving offers from several production houses. During that time, 7th Sky kept checking whether I had committed my dates elsewhere while they were shortlisting actors for the lead role. Then I got the call telling me Haseeb Hasan was directing the project. The moment I heard his name, I didn’t need to know anything else. They said, “You’ve been finalised. We begin shooting next month.”

Instep: What was your first conversation with Haseeb Hasan like?

AA: Haseeb Sir called me the day my casting was confirmed. One thing he said has stayed with me ever since. He told me, “Son, this is the story of a martyr. You need to start preparing yourself immediately, not just mentally but physically.” From day one, he made it clear that the role would demand stamina, endurance and complete commitment.

Instep: Even after being selected, you still had to go through the audition process. What was that experience like?

AA: Although I was the first choice, I still went through a formal audition because the project was too important to leave anything to chance. Everything was based on merit. Haseeb Sir personally directed the audition and knowing I had earned the role through that process made receiving the final contract even more rewarding.

Instep: You had admired Haseeb Hasan’s work long before you worked with him. What was it like collaborating with him and how did the experience shape your performance?

AA: My admiration for Has-eeb Sir began long before we met. When I entered the industry, senior actors often spoke about the directors they admired and his name came up repeatedly. I remember filming a scene with hot tea where the steam wasn’t visible on camera and one of the senior actors remarked, “When Haseeb Hasan directs, he notices even details like that.” That stayed with me because it reflected the precision he brings to his work.

Later, I watched Alif in one sitting and appreciated his storytelling even more. So when I found out he was directing this project, I was excited. Before my audition, I introduced myself because I wanted to experience first-hand what made him the director everyone spoke so highly of.

Working with him only deepened that admiration. He arrives with every scene already mapped out in his mind, yet still gives his actors tremendous confidence. From the beginning, he trusted me with the role and that belief allowed me to relax and immerse myself in the character. One direction in particular became the foundation of my performance. He said, “I need bravery to show on your face. Even when you’re completely neutral, your expression should reflect that courage.” Throughout the shoot, he kept returning to that note and it shaped the way I approached Captain Isfandyar.

Instep: Did taking on such an important real-life figure make you nervous?

AA: Absolutely. I was anxious because this was unlike anything I had done before. I’ve realised that a certain amount of nervousness is important because it keeps me focused and pushes me to work harder. Every new role begins with uncertainty and my process is to embrace that, build the character step by step and emerge as confident as can be on the other side. Even so, the fear of not doing justice to Captain Isfandyar was very real.

Instep: Did the possibility of a feature film change the way you approached the role?

AA: Not really. I was told there were discussions about developing it as a feature film or a telefilm alongside the television serial, but nothing had been finalised. For me, the platform was never the priority. What excited me was the opportunity to portray Captain Isfandyar and work with Haseeb Sir. I was focused on preparing for the role rather than thinking about where it would eventually be released. I often compare it to being selected for the Special Services Group (SSG). Getting selected is exciting, but you quickly realise the real challenge is still ahead. That’s exactly how I felt. The work was only just beginning.

Instep: How did you prepare physically and mentally for the role?

AA: Once the role was confirmed, everything else took a back seat. I put hobbies and socialising on hold so I could devote myself entirely to the role. I trained in the gym every day and added regular hiking to build the stamina expected of a military officer. Even when I travelled to Karachi and stayed in a guest house without proper gym facilities, I never missed a workout. If I couldn’t train in a gym, I’d exercise in my room. The preparation went far beyond fitness. I worked on my voice, posture and body language so every movement reflected the discipline expected of a soldier.

Instep: Production was

delayed by the Pakistan-India conflict. What was that period like?

AA: We were finalising our principal photography schedule when tensions between Pakistan and India escalated. Because many of our locations were inside operational military installations, production had to stop immediately. It was a difficult period because none of us knew how long the delay would last or what it would mean for the project. Fortunately, the situation stabilised relatively quickly and we were able to resume work.

Instep: How did living through that period affect your mindset while portraying a soldier?

AA: It strengthened my connection with the character. Growing up, my first dream was to become an Air Force pilot, so seeing fighter jets in the sky during those tense days brought back those childhood memories. I remember spending evenings in my guest house watching the news. Like many Pakistanis, I felt a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve the country in whatever way I could. Tapping into those raw emotions helped me better understand Captain Isfandyar’s sense of duty and brought another layer to my performance.

Instep: You grew up admiring Pakistan’s military heroes. How did that shape your connection to this role?

AA: I grew up fascinated by the stories of Pakistan’s national heroes. I read about Rashid Minhas and Major Aziz Bhatti and never missed a military drama on television. Patriotism was always something I felt deeply. Every August 14, I’d spend hours on our rooftop proudly waving the national flag. Those memories made this role even more meaningful and have stayed with me to this day.

Instep: Once production resumed, how quickly were you back on set?

AA: Once we got the green light, everything moved very quickly. Audiences only see the finished product, but there’s a great deal of planning and rescheduling behind the scenes. Within a month of the delay, we were on our way to our first location.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was that we weren’t confined to studio sets. We travelled across the country, filming in Gujranwala, Kharian, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Abbottabad and at

the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul. It was an intense schedule, but shooting at real locations added a level of authenticity that simply couldn’t be recreated.

Instep: What was the most challenging part of filming the action sequences?

AA: The action scenes were physically demanding because I wasn’t just performing as an actor. I was representing a highly disciplined institution where every movement had to be authentic.

The weather was one of the biggest challenges, but learning and following military Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) was equally demanding. From handling weapons and moving in tactical formations to executing combat manoeuvres correctly, every detail mattered. Balancing those technical demands with the emotional requirements of each scene left very little room for error.

Instep: Your character strives to earn the Sword of Honour. What did it mean to portray someone who achie-ved that distinction?

AA: The Sword of Honour represents the highest standard of excellence, so portraying someone who earned that recognition came with immense responsibility. I approached every scene with discipline, humility and complete focus because I wanted to honour that achievement with the respect it deserved.

Instep: After researching Captain Isfandyar Shaheed’s life, what stood out most about him?

AA: What struck me most was how accomplished he was from such a young age. Whether it was academics, leadership or sports, he excelled in every area while remaining committed to serving his country. Learning about his journey made me appreciate the immense responsibility of portraying someone who made the ultimate sacrifice. It remains the greatest challenge of my career.

Instep: After spending months living with Captain Isfandyar Shaheed’s story, what do you hope audiences take away from the drama?

AA: I hope audiences remember Captain Isfandyar Shaheed for the values he stood for and gain a greater appreciation of the sacrifices made by our armed forces.

If this drama encourages people to learn more about his life and legacy, I think we’ve achieved something truly meaningful.