Veteran Pakistani actor Nayyar Ejaz has recalled the extraordinary reaction he received from audiences after portraying the notorious Kali Das, revealing that the television character became so convincing that some viewers began associating the actor with his on-screen personality.
Speaking on Samaa TV’s Gup Shab with Vasay Chaudhry, Ejaz reflected on his decades-long acting career and some of the unusual experiences that came with playing intense and negative characters.
Ejaz explained that although he is widely recognized for portraying villains on television, people generally do not consider him a villain in real life.
The actor said his work has sometimes created such a strong impression that viewers have temporarily forgotten the distinction between the performer and the character.
One of the most memorable examples, according to Ejaz, came from his portrayal of Kali Das in the television drama Laag. The role remains among the performances for which he is particularly remembered.
Ejaz recalled that Kali Das underwent a dramatic transformation in the story, changing from an ordinary character into someone capable of violent behavior.
He specifically remembered a scene in which the character attacked his wife with a shaving blade. The disturbing nature of the storyline apparently made a lasting impression on viewers.
The actor said the audience reaction went far beyond what he expected.
According to Ejaz, a woman once approached him at an airport and slapped him because she had been so affected by his portrayal of Kali Das.
The woman reportedly explained that she had been married for many years and had become worried that her own husband might behave similarly while using a shaving blade.
Ejaz said he was stunned by the incident and found it remarkable that viewers had taken his fictional character so seriously that the role had influenced their feelings in real life.
The incident also illustrates the impact television performances can have when an actor successfully makes a fictional personality appear believable.
Ejaz has been associated with villainous and supporting roles throughout a career that began in the 1980s. His notable television work includes Dasht, Dhuwan and Laag, with Kali Das remaining one of his most recognizable characters.
During the interview, Ejaz also talked about another unusual talent he once used to entertain colleagues on television sets.
He said he would imitate the voices of different people, including Gulzaar Sahab, for the amusement of fellow actors. However, he eventually stopped doing it after people began identifying him simply from his voice.
The revelation offered another glimpse into the veteran actor’s personality away from the intense characters he has often played on screen.
For audiences, however, Kali Das remains one of the roles most closely connected with Ejaz’s reputation as a powerful character actor.
His story about being confronted at an airport demonstrates just how strongly a fictional performance can affect viewers when the character feels authentic and emotionally convincing.
More than two decades after Laag, Ejaz continues to be recognized for his contribution to Pakistani television and cinema, with his career spanning numerous dramas and films.
His latest recollections also show that memorable acting is not always measured only by awards or ratings. Sometimes, the strongest evidence of a character’s impact is the way audiences continue to remember it years after the production has ended.
