Sajid Hasan says Bait resonated personally as he worked with Riz Ahmed

KARACHI: Veteran actor Sajid Hasan has said his role in the short film Bait felt deeply personal, describing the project as one that connected with his own experiences and emotions.

Speaking to Images, Hasan discussed his involvement in the film, his experience of working with British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed, and why the story left a strong impression on him. He said the project stood out because of the way it approached themes that he found relatable on a personal level.

Bait is a short film featuring Riz Ahmed and has drawn attention for its subject matter and performances. Hasan said being part of the production was meaningful for him not only because of the story itself but also because of the people involved in bringing it to screen.

Reflecting on Ahmed, Hasan spoke positively about the collaboration and described the actor in appreciative terms. He said working with him was a valuable experience and suggested that Ahmed brought seriousness and commitment to the project.

Hasan also spoke about the emotional pull of the script, saying the narrative felt close to him. He indicated that the story’s themes were not distant or abstract, but rather something he could connect with directly, which shaped the way he approached his performance.

A story with personal meaning

In the interview, Hasan said the film’s premise struck a chord with him because it touched on issues and feelings he understood intimately. That personal connection, he said, helped him engage with the role in a more honest and grounded way.

He also discussed the process of acting in a short film format, where performances often have to convey emotional depth within a limited runtime. Hasan’s remarks suggested that this required precision and restraint, particularly in a story driven by feeling and character.

The actor’s comments presented Bait as a project that was significant beyond its screen time. For Hasan, it appears to have been an opportunity to participate in a story that carried emotional weight while also collaborating with an internationally recognised artist of Pakistani origin.

Working with Riz Ahmed

Hasan’s remarks about Ahmed underscored the importance of the collaboration. He spoke warmly about sharing the screen with him and indicated that the experience was memorable. His comments also reflected admiration for Ahmed’s stature and approach to his craft.

The interview focused on Hasan’s perspective as an actor responding to material that felt immediate and personal. In that context, Bait emerged as a film he viewed not simply as another acting assignment, but as a story that stayed with him.

Hasan’s reflections offered insight into why the project mattered to him: the chance to work with Riz Ahmed, and the opportunity to perform in a story he felt was close to his own emotional reality.