by ASJAD NAZIR
MAHIRA KHAN TALKS ROLE MODELS AND INSPIRATIONS
SHE may be an acclaimed actress and shining movie star, but Mahira Khan is also an strong advocate for women’s rights and a great role model empowering a generation of girls in Pakistan.
The glorious symbol of girl power had her own inspirations growing up, who helped shape her into the inspiring woman she is today and ones that drive her to reach even greater heights as an actress.
With more interesting films on the way, the Pakistani star is set to continue her amazing global rise and light the way for others wanting to follow in her impressive footsteps.
Eastern Eye caught up with Mahira to talk about the women who have inspired her, fighting spirit, secrets to being a successful working mother, future plans and more...
When you were growing up, who was your female role model?
Growing up, I was lucky to be around very strong and independent women, whether it was my mother or her side of the family like my aunties or maternal grandmother, who is the strongest woman I know.
Then there was my paternal side of the family, which also had very strong women. In fact, my paternal grandmother was just a fiery, strong woman. All of them had a very big influence on me.
Did you have a fighting spirit from a young age or did that come later on?
Actually I am not a good person to answer this. My mother said yes, I did have the fighting spirit from a very young age, like I would battle with her about certain things. There were times when someone was being treated unfairly, and as a kid I would stand up against it.
It would upset me and I would question things, including unjust behaviour. So I was always aware of certain things, which was rare for a child to be conscious about. I think the fighting spirit is something I understood a lot better as I grew older and used it wiser probably.
Did you get support for your chosen career path or did you have to fight to pursue it?
I told my parents and there were like, well okay. My family and friends always knew that if I could do something in my life, this is the one thing I would do. So it wasn’t a shock when I said acting is what I wanted to do, even if we didn’t talk about it before. They just knew I was obsessed with films so there was no real fight.
Do you think things have changed for women since you started?
Asjad, it has changed so much. I think I am one of the lucky ones, because by the time I had come into the industry my seniors had sort of laid the ground for a better time for all of us actors. I think that is what we are doing for future generations. I started acting about seven or eight years ago, but now I think it is even easier for girls. They get away with a lot, and that is the wrong word to use. Why should we get away with a lot; we should be able to express ourselves in any way we want. Yes, right now we are able to do that! Maybe five years ago they weren’t. Imagine 20 years ago how it was.
So I am here because of pioneers like Bushra Ansari and Samina Peerzada, and that is why I talk about them so much. Of course I have worked hard and love what I do, but believe me, my success cannot be isolated from all these other women who worked in this industry in those kind of conditions.
The Times Up and Me Too movements are happening in Hollywood in a big way. Do you think we will ever have these movements in Pakistan and India?
Me Too is a genuine trend that has started in Hollywood and we also need to be genuine about it. We shouldn’t just follow trends blindly. We need to understand this is something they are doing that is remarkable.
They are coming out and talking about it, including high-profile actresses, saying we don’t fear this or doors closing on us anymore because we close the door on you. That is what we should take inspiration from. If we do have stories to tell, we tell them, and we should.
Is it happening?
I think slowly we are. Notice it, we are! More women are talking about their experiences, whether it is on a public or personal platform. I think these sorts of movements are giving strength to everyday women and enabling them to making decisions in those moments. That kind of strength, which is personal and not public, is very important I believe.
What advice would you give the younger generation of girls starting their journey?
(Laughs) Let me tell you something, I am constantly asking for advice from the younger lot, I promise. There are times they laugh at me when I ask them how to fix or do something, especially on social media. But I tell them just one thing; it is very cliché to say, but be true to who you are. But if you really understand it, no other words ring truer as far as advice for people.
What do you mean by that?
What that basically means is this is your path, your story, and it does not mean it has to be perfect. It doesn’t mean it has to emulate someone else’s, it just means that you as a person in that very time decide to do what is best and right for you. Ten years down the line, you might not feel the same way and may wish you had done things differently, but it doesn’t matter because we keep evolving. In that moment, whatever feels right for you, you should do that. Don’t go against your own grain whatever that might be.
Going forward, how will you be selecting your projects?
I have been selecting my projects quite fearlessly for the last few years I would say, whether it is Verna, 7 Din Mohabbat In or Maula Jatt. I have tried to sort of take risks, but might go back to my comfort zone of doing maybe romance or a television drama.
I feel like doing that now because I have explored other avenues. But comfort is comfort and I like that one genre of romance a lot. It’s been a while since I did it, it was heavy and took a lot out of me.
Both your forthcoming films are exploring new horizons for you…
7 Din Mohabbat In was enjoyable, but initially I was like, how do I tackle comedy as I had never done it in my life. Then with Maula Jatt, I was on set with these amazing actors and here I was trying to learn Punjabi. So this has been a risk-taking time for me. But I do hope to do lighter, more interesting things also, maybe in TV.
What about working in the West?
I would love to. Why not? Going somewhere else as an actor enables you to learn so much. Raees alone taught me an incredible amount. It wasn’t ground-breaking as far as my acting or role was concerned, but I learned so much, whether it was from Shah Rukh Khan or other people around me.
So I think it is very important for us to go to other places as it is good for exposure. I am not talking public exposure, but for ourselves as actors. It is good for awareness to go other places and meet new people. Like just being here in London. You go back and have another world-view. So yes, I would love to do that.
What is the secret of being a successful working mother?
The secret is having an amazing support system and knowing your priorities. There are times I have to let go of work, no matter how great it is, because my child is my priority. The trick is to learn how to say no, and I do that. I have to say no so much because I have to give that time to my son.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
(Laughs) I am a lazy bum. I like being at home and can sit on a couch all day long and do nothing. I look forward to my breakfast in the morning and love spending time with my son. I am constantly playing with him or doing homework. So these kinds of things are my down time. Of course, if I am free on a weekend I will go out with friends, which is also great for me because they are my people. My childhood friends!
What inspires you?
Everything, if I may say so. I like being around people. There are times I want to run away and shut off, but I find that every time I converse with people or give them five or 10 minutes of undivided attention, there is a story. So little things inspire me. It’s not one big thing. Everything really does inspire me.
