Exclusive interview: Ahmad Mehranfar

Iranian actor Ahmad Mehranfar speaks to ifilm in an exclusive interview about his latest movie ‘The Midday Event’ in the 35th Fajr International Film Festival.

Ahmad Mehranfar known for his unforgettable role as a truck driver named Arastu in ‘Paytakht’ TV series made his film debut in Abolhassan Davoudi’s ‘Bread, Love and a 1000cc Bike’ (2001).  

Later he acted in ‘Eghlima’(2006), ‘Cease Fire’(2006) ‘The Lost Truth’(2007), ‘About Elly’(2009), ‘The Cottage’ (2009).

He has also tried his chance as a playwright and director in the social drama ‘Afghan Odip’ (2006).

Mehranfar gave ifilm an exclusive interview about his recent feature film ‘The Midday Event’ of which selected parts have been translated to English.

ifilm: Some viewers believed you are widely known as a comic actor and playing a serious role was a risk. How did you take such a risk?

Mehranfar: Mohammad Hossein Mahdavian (the director) and Mahmoud Razavi (the producer) took the biggest risk. However playing such a role was a risk unto itself. I wasn’t afraid of playing a serious role and very much liked to do something different. I felt I had something to say and the role was appealing. Yet it had fears too. Fears like whether viewers would accept me in the new role. I wanted them to forget Arastu.

ifilm: Are you going to play in serious roles from now on?

Mehranfar: I can’t say for sure that there will be only serious roles. But I would do my best in every role I’m offered. I, personally, like serious roles, but being very good in a role is all that matters to me.

ifilm: What will you do after 'The Midday Event'?

Mehranfar: We have planned to begin shooting ‘Paytakht 5’. But my role as Arastu is going to be more somber. Four episodes will be filmed in locations outside Iran.

RSH/RSH