Emmad Irfani has reflected on the massive public response to Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum, saying the drama not only elevated his career but also gave him firsthand insight into the scale of Fahad Mustafa’s stardom.

In a recent interview, the supermodel-turned-actor recalled witnessing Mustafa’s popularity during a shoot at Karachi Central Jail. “Fahad and I were shooting one day at the Central Jail Karachi,” he said.

“Every few minutes, someone would knock to meet Fahad, including high-ranking officials. From that, I observed, ‘Oh wow, this is stardom.’ Even the people behind the bars were clapping for Fahad and calling out his name.”

He added that Mustafa’s reach extends far beyond Pakistan, saying his presence is felt “from Central Jail to Central London.”

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Irfani described himself as an “accidental actor” and said he spent years quietly studying the craft before entering the industry. He compared acting to athletics, noting that both require discipline, emotional vulnerability, and constant self-correction.

He admitted that his early days in acting were marked by fear and self-doubt. “I came to acting with a lot of fears, with a lot of terror inside me,” he said, recalling that his first scene was with Sajal Aly. “My heartbeat was so high. Gradually, you get exposed to it, you learn about yourself, recognise your flaws, your weaknesses, and work on them.”

Irfani said acting is a gradual process built on self-awareness, adding that his failures and setbacks have been key to his growth, and that “failure is the most important element in life” because it forces improvement.

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Before his television breakthrough, he had been attached to a film project with director Shoaib Mansoor that ultimately did not release. He said that period left him believing his career was over. “I felt my career was finished,” he said, adding that Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum later became a turning point that restored his confidence and success.

He also recalled a moment during the drama’s run when its popularity became undeniable, saying passengers once applauded him on a commercial flight after recognising him, an experience he described as humbling and surreal.

On his approach to roles, Irfani said he is drawn to characters with psychological depth and internal conflict. “What inspires me is the war going on inside that character’s mind,” he said, adding that he focuses on fear, motivation, and narrative impact.

Beyond acting, he reflected on changing social behaviour in the digital age, expressing concern over declining etiquette due to smartphone use. He noted that people often lose attention mid-conversation, describing it as a growing social shift.