Vasay Chaudhry

Vasay Chaudhry
Born 12 November 1981
Lahore
Residence Lahore, Pakistan
Alma mater National College of Arts
Occupation Actor
Writer
Humorist
Known for Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat, Armaan (2013 film), Jutt and Bond, Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti and Jackson Heights (drama)
Spouse(s) Mahera Shah
Awards See below

Vasay Chaudhry (Urdu: واسع چوہدری‎ ; born on November 12, 1981) is a Pakistani screen writer, actor, director, producer, host and humorist. He is best known for writing sitcoms and dramedies (comedy-drama) for Pakistani television. His name is sometimes misspelled as Wasay, Wassay, Vassay, or Chaudhary in print and electronic media.

Biography

Chaudhry was born on 12 November 1981, in Lahore and lives in Lahore. He completed his A-levels studies from Lahore College of Arts and Sciences. Chaudhry enrolled himself at Government College University (Lahore) for a bachelor's degree but ended up graduating from University of the Punjab Lahore.

Career

Chaudhry started his career in 1998 when he did a theatre play called Desperado. He recalls, "I had just a 45 second role in it! So I started off with a role - that calling it a cameo would be a disgrace! I began to pursue theatre seriously when I went to LACAS for my A-levels where I met Zain Ahmed (actress/director Samina Ahmad's son) and acted and assisted him on his play, Bloodbearing".[1] Afterwards, he went on to become head of the Dramatics Club in LACAS and directed an old Urdu play called Bari Dair Meherban Aatay Aatay for the Rafi Peer Theatre International Theatre Festival.

Chaudhry's first writing venture for television was a sitcom called Jutt and Bond in 2001, starring Fawad Afzal Khan in lead role along with Ahmad Ali Butt and Farah Tufail.[2] It was television adaptation of his theater play of the same name performed in 2000. Chaudhry wanted to approach Younis Butt to write the series, but the director of the show and Chaudhry's friend Zain Ahmad persuaded him to write it himself, so Chaudhry wrote the show himself.[3] He recollected the memories of Jutt and Bond while speaking to a newspaper "So, then I sat down to make the decision and thought about all the terrible dramas I have seen in my life. I thought about how bad could my writing really be, decided to give it a shot and wrote Jutt and Bond."[3]

In 2010, after establishing himself in 25-minute sitcom business, he wrote his first long TV serial Dolly ki Ayegi Baraat, which turned out to be a huge commercial and critical hit.[4] He continued writing long TV serials after success of Dolly. Chaudhry in an interview stated that he has started enjoying writing for film and TV more than sitcoms.[5] Chaudhry's most famous TV plays as a writer include Timmy G, Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat, Takkay Ki Ayegi Baraat, Inspector Khojee, Kash Tu Mera Baap Na Hota, Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti, telefilm Armaan (2013 film) and Jackson Heights (drama). He terms his Eid Special play Kash Tu Mera Baap Na Hota which aired on Geo TV, 2011, as one of his personal favorite work along with Inspector Khojee. In cinematic work, he wrote the script and screenplay for Main Hoon Shahid Afridi; it was declared a commercial hit of Pakistani cinema, 2013, and garnered accolades from critics and audience alike.[6][7][8]

Chaudhry wrote in Herald (Pakistan) as a film reviewer and critic for a brief period, 2002–03.[9] Since then he has occasionally contributed towards writing on Pakistani media and cinema in Pakistan's leading newspapers like Pakistan Today and The News.

Mantra

Chaudhry in one interview explained the reason for writing as “only to bring the people’s attention to the various character types that exist amidst us. It is important to be a responsible role model but for most people it is easier to pick ideas off the internet and ape them.” [10]

Chaudhry believes in self-censorship but also insists “My target has always been to entertain people; I am not into art as far as my work is concerned, at least not now. Even when I was doing theatre, I wasn’t into it. I suppose it’s because I am influenced by entertainment films of the 80s and 90s”.[3] He regards Anwar Maqsood and Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi as his gurus in comedy writing and laments the lack of fresh ideas and wit in majority of current comedies. Being a strong believer in originality he was quoted saying “It’s mostly foreign concepts that we are picking up and then trying to localise and obviously failing. We need to learn to improvise rather than copy ideas.” [10]

Reception

Chaudhry has been praised in the Pakistani press as a writer uniquely in touch and comfortable with Punjabi culture.[11] He is a firm believer of "self censorship" and calls himself old school when it comes to the views regarding a writer’s moral responsibility towards his audiences. He credits this to his training in a pre-cable TV world and asserts that he “refrains from [writing] obnoxious jokes.”[12]

Television

Writing

Chaudhry has contributed as a writer in various TV shows:

Show Year Channel Notes
Jutt and Bond [13] 2001 Indus TV, Channel G Sitcom, 102 Episodes
Motor Chalay Pum Pum 2001 Pakistan Television Corporation Sitcom, contributed writing
Yaraana Purana 2002 Sitcom, contributed writing
Jallywood 2004 Sitcom, 7 episodes
Rubber Band (TV Series) [14] 2005-8 ARY Digital Sitcom, 176 Episodes
Urban Desi 2006-7 Aaj TV Sitcom, Co-writing with Ali Kazmi, 65 Episodes
Inspector Khojee [15] 2006 Pakistan Television Corporation Sitcom, 52 Episodes
Yes Sir [16] 2009 A-Plus Entertainment13 Episodes
Timmy G [17] 2010-12 ARY Digital Sitcom, 116 Episodes
Kash Tu Mera Baap Na Hota 2011 Geo TV Eid Special long Play
Dolly Ki Ayegi Baraat [18] 2010 Geo TV Telenovela 17 Episodes, Chaudhry's First long TV series
Takkay Ki Ayegi Baraat[19] 2011 Geo TV Telenovela 16 Episodes
Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat[20] 2012 Geo TV Telenovela 19 Episodes
Yeh Shaadi Nahi Ho Sakti[21] 2013 ARY Digital Telenovela 27 Episodes
Armaan [22] 2013 Geo TV, PTV Telefilm
Abhi Toh Main Jawaan hon[23] 2013 Geo TV, PTV Telefilm
Jackson Heights [24] 2014-15 Urdu 1 Telenovela
Bad Times 2014 A-Plus Entertainment
Hum Awards [25] 2013-15 Hum TV Script writing and hosting of the show
Dolly ki Aa Gai Baraat [26] 2012 Geo TV Telefilm

Acting

Show Character Channel Year
Cafe Chill Geo TV 2004
Tamasha Ghar (Hari Bhari) PTV 2005
Rubber Band (TV Series) Ali Toor ARY Digital 2005-8
Jallywood 2004
Urban Desi AAJ TV 2006-7
Yaasu Panju Har ARY Digital 2009
Na jaane kyun Haider PTV 2010
Kash Tu Mera Baap Na Hota Ifran Geo TV 2011
Annie Ki Ayegi Baraat Bobby D Geo TV 2012
Timmy G Timmy G ARY Digital 2009-13
Silvatain Mikaal ARY Digital 2013
Armaan (2013 film) Danny PTV & Geo TV 2013
Kahani Raima Aur Manahil Ki Wahaj Hum TV 2014
Pyarey Afzal Dr. Sibtain ARY Digital 2014
Nazdeekiyan Faiq Ary Digital 2014

Hosting

Direction

Chaudhry's maiden and only direction attempt for television was Jallywood in 2004. He wrote, directed and acted in the spoof sitcom series which lasted for only 7 episodes.

Production

Guest appearances

Films

Theater

Awards

After 2nd Hum Awards, 2014, Chaudhry joked about awards by tweeting "My strike rate of winning awards for my writing work is equal to that of Junaid khans as a batsman !".[35]

References

  1. ↑ Salim, Hani. ""Theatre in Karachi as well as Lahore is trying to survive, and when you're just surviving, there can't be any competition." – Vasay Chaudhry". Jang. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/fawad-khan-the-pakistani-prince-charming-660750
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Khan, Sher (4 April 2014). "Vasay Chaudhry - more than just a 25-minute sitcom writer". The Express Tribune.
  4. ↑ Maila, Maila. "Why "Kis Ki Ayegi Baraat" Series is a Must Watch". Blush.com.pk. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUHJL3D24Pg
  6. ↑ Jawaid, Mohammad Kamran. "Movie Review: Main Hoon Shahid Afridi". Dawn. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  7. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/613931/main-hoon-shahid-afridi-is-box-office-hit/
  8. ↑ http://www.pakium.com/2014/04/28/complete-winners-list-first-ary-films-awards
  9. ↑ Herald, Herald. "Year in review: Theatre Talk". dawn. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Moghal, Rabia (9 August 2013). "A desi humourist Vasay Chaudhry’s brand of humour may be Lahori". Jang.
  11. ↑ Salim, Hani Taha (9 July 2009). "InStep Q&A". InStep (Lahore, Pakistan: The News).
  12. ↑ http://jang.com.pk/thenews/Aug2013-weekly/nos-09-08-2013/she.htm
  13. ↑ Ansari, Hassan. "Fawad Khan: From being shy to flying high". Retrieved April 2015.
  14. ↑ http://www.magmedianews.com/vasay-chaudhry-familys-charm-the-25-minutes-sitcom-guy/
  15. ↑ Khan, Sher. "Vasay Chaudhry - more than just a 25-minute sitcom writer". Retrieved April 2015.
  16. ↑ Khan, Sher. "Vasay Chaudhry - more than just a 25-minute sitcom writer". Retrieved April 2015.
  17. ↑ https://www.google.com.pk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#
  18. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/news/783234/television-sequels-the-next-big-trend
  19. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/news/783234/television-sequels-the-next-big-trend
  20. ↑ http://www.dawn.com/news/783234/television-sequels-the-next-big-trend
  21. ↑ http://reviewit.pk/yeh-shadi-nahi-ho-sakti-to-go-on-air-soon/
  22. ↑ Alavi and Kamal. "Awardseason Coming soon: The Tarang Housefull Awards - See more at: http://e.thenews.com.pk/newsmag/mag/detail_article.asp?id=5523&magId=11#sthash.RSjMKYqW.dpuf". Retrieved april 2015. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  23. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/786142/humayun-saeed-back-in-action-after-road-accident-in-bangkok/
  24. ↑ siddique, Sadaf. "Review: 'Jackson Heights' shines as an immigrant's take on love and loss". Retrieved April 2015.
  25. ↑ Khan, Ujala Ali. "Hum TV Awards brings Pakistani TV stars to Dubai". Retrieved April 2015.
  26. ↑ http://tune.pk/video/5282848/dolly-ki-aagayi-baraat-telefilm-geo-tv
  27. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOPWUWH421g
  28. ↑ "Tonite With HSY – Vasay Chaudhry & Hadiqa Kiani on Hum Sitaray". Retrieved April 2015.
  29. ↑ http://tribune.com.pk/story/574584/main-hoon-shahid-afridi-is-no-shaadi-biyaah-story/
  30. ↑ Bhutto, Rozina. "Boys gone wilde; Jawani Phir Nahi AAna". Retrieved April 4, 2015.
  31. ↑ Film Awards, ARY. "ist ARY Film Awards". Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  32. ↑ Awards, ARY Films. "ARY Film Awards 2014 Full , 24 May 2014 - by ARY DIGITAL Part 1/2". Youtube. ARY Digital. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
  33. ↑ Safdar, Hina. "Lux Style Awards 2011 Nominations". www.rewaj.pk. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  34. ↑ Admin, Admin. "Tarang Housefull Awards and Pictures". drama.fazeem.com. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
  35. ↑ Chaudhry, Vasay. "My Strike rate of winning". Twitter. VasayCh. Retrieved January 7, 2015.

External links