His enthusiasm for life can be infectious. He is also unassuming. In fact, he is so unassuming that he’s unlike most others in the film and fashion industry. Though he handles the dual role of a model and an actor with admirable ease, he feels that he still has a long way to go and that he will take the path less trodden. That’s Nasser Abdullah for you, a model-actor whose tryst with the big bad world of films and modelling began way back in 1979. Since then, Nasser Abdullah has carved a niche for himself as a dependable model and a sensitive actor who can bring life to the characters that he portrays. Justly so, going by the success of his ad campaigns and his performance in critically acclaimed movies like Mitr.

This successful model-actor who has been setting the advertising world afire since 1979, hadn’t thought that he would become a model-actor even in the wildest of his dreams. “It just happened,” says this Delhiite, walking down memory lane. “I was a very confused and aimless guy. Though I had done quite a lot of commercials in my hometown Delhi, I hadn’t thought of modelling as a serious career option. I managed a drive-in barbecue restaurant and even worked for a costume jewellery export house for some time,” he says, admitting that he is lazy by nature. “Can’t help it. I’m a Taurean, you see,” he adds, as justification.

Even as he was handling the many modelling assignments that came his way, the team of Gandhi landed in India and was on the look out for a location manager. “I landed the job, but was a complete failure. But, I didn’t give up,” he says. “I’m glad I worked with them because Brits are tough task masters. They made a man out of me, curing me of my insomnia,” he adds.

That was just the beginning. Nasser soon became a hot favourite of foreign production houses landing on Indian shores to make movies. His proficiency in both English and Hindi, and his good accent made him a good communicator between foreign teams and local actors.

But, destiny had a surprise in store for him in the form of the hugely popular commercial for Red & White Cigarettes, making the world sit up and take notice. Then there was no looking back. Willman Razor Blades, Cadburys, Raymonds, Archies, Digjam... phew! The list is endless. Nasser was here, there and everywhere.
No wonder, Revathi, who was on the look out for a man to essay the role of a busy hubby in her directorial debut Mitr did not look beyond Nasser. Mitr happened, marking Nasser’s affair with the big bad world of Bollywood, facing the camera. The rave reviews and the national awards Mitr attracted landed many more films in his kitty, “but none as big as Mitr,” he says.

What does he enjoy most - modelling or cinema? “Well! Each has its own charm. I definitely enjoy both, though modelling is my bread, butter and jam,” he says, admitting that he still remains the confused lad he was many, many years ago.

Nasser however has many movies lined up in the near future. Chief among them are Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion and two yet-to-be-named movies with Govinda and Abhijeet Sawant.

This model-actor with killer looks even at 51, writes poems and plays the keyboard too. But, despite the obvious trappings of success, Nasser remains quite humble in his outlook. “I take life as it comes,” he says. Any plans for future? “Not really. But, my greatest ambition in life is to make short films with social messages,” he says.
It sure is a dream that is not far-fetched, especially when it comes from a model-actor of Nasser’s calibre, ain’t it?