RAW

THE MAGAZINE

Waqar Zaka

Interview withWaqar Zaka

by Ahmed Hayat

Pakistan. As obvious the responsibilityalls on me but my parents havecompromised or my wishes. They arevery supportive and I thank them or alltheir moral support.

How do you eel about the popularityyou’ve gained rom “Living on TheEdge”?

It’s a blessing or me; I would like tothank every one or appreciating mywork as a host and program ormatdesigner. Its amazing, the eeling, whenyoung kids look at me and scream,‘Living on the Edge’ or make the show’shand sign. When I came up with thehand sign I really wanted people to takeit seriously like other signs (Rock On,Victory sign and the-one-that-can’t-be-mentioned), I’m just happy about howthe whole thing has worked out or me.

Nahie Phara Mein Ne Pora Saal , ‘THESTUDENT’S ANTHEM’, what inspiredyou to do such music?

I did this song when I was 15, back in1995. Frankly, I’ve always wanted tocreate something which is actually orthe students, i you observe there aren’tmany songs related directly to today’syouth or exams, but since at that timeI had no knowledge about music, Iproduced a bad quality rip o anthem.But then I think, as long as Myra(emalesinger) and I won the BBC Asia award,alls well. Someday, when I nd a resh

How did you end up being a VJ?Tell us about your frst televisionexperience?

Long story, so keep it short and simple.In Jan 2005, I saw an advertisementsaying “Fresh VJs needed or ‘TheMusik’”. At that time I was in 3rd year o electrical engineering at NED UniversityKarachi, I went to the open auditionsand passed through. During that timeI also joined ‘The Musik’ as a ConceptWriter / Program Director because I’mmore interested in designing uniqueprograms rather then just becoming aVJ. My rst TV experience as a VJ wasa special April ool’s day street showaired by the channel.

What do you think about your job?

I love it. I enjoy every minute o workingwith The Muzik; the channel has givenme every opportunity to fourish as a VJ/Concept writer/ Program director. Thetechnical acilities & platorm build byARY Digital Network in turn The Muzikis just unique and has no competition.

What was your big achievement inlie?

Achievement, there is nothing big assuch but since you used the word ‘was’,it was when I received the YoungestPop Duet Band Award in 1996 romBBC Asia, sponsored by Virgin Records,it was or my song Nahie Phara MeinaPora Saal (Student’s Anthem).

How was the reaction o your amilywhen you came into this business?

Since I am the only son o my parentsthey are worried about the eld I amin, especially my ather because he isexpecting me to join his business o intercom manuacturing. Flattering,but our company is the pioneerin manuacturing intercom sets in