Out on the lightless streets (courtesy Okay-Electrical) within the early hours of the morning, the final phrase that needs to be on my thoughts is: how candy.
In my practically 20 years of journalistic profession, ‘sweet’ is one phrase that I believed I’d by no means use — particularly about an interview. But, right here I’m, recollecting my expertise interviewing Yumna Zaidi three days later, and the phrase, in some bizarre method, suits. So sure, Yumna Zaidi is nice.
Though I haven’t met her earlier than, from the way in which she speaks, Yumna may very properly be the personification of the phrase. She is non-confrontational, non-controversial, undramatic, sort, thoughtful and prepared to accommodate. Her angle is probably not paparazzi-friendly, however that’s to not say that she received’t make headlines.
After we converse, it’s 10 hours earlier within the day in Dallas, Texas. Like me, she is sitting outdoors her home.
Yumna Zaidi has performed a various vary of characters in dramas, from a school-going, smart-alecky, loud-mouth misfit to a scared younger lady, sexually preyed on by an elder within the household. Some assume she will be able to pull off any position. However her aura is just one of sweetness
Initially from Lahore, she moved to the US 5 years in the past. Although we didn’t flesh out the specifics — she prefers it that method, being cautious of social media creeps and trolls — Yumna does say that her youthful brother and two elder sisters are unfold out between the 2 nations, and that her mum travels together with her to Karachi for work.
As I tempo the darkish streets in the course of the evening, Yumna suggests, in a genuinely involved tone, to do the dialog through voice notes. The trade wouldn’t be as natural or attention-grabbing, I insist. In addition to, the interview has already been rescheduled thrice.
On reflection, our prior delays might have been karma ensuring I watched her work intimately earlier than we converse.
Her profession selections are… attention-grabbing. A number of days earlier than the decision, I request a listing of her greatest performances. She texts: Pyaar Ke Sadqay (working now on Hum), Raaz-e-Ulfat (additionally at present working on Geo Leisure), Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila (2019), Inkaar (2019), Ishq Zahe Naseeb (2019), Zara Yaad Kar (2016 — all 4 titles broadcast on Hum).
Seeing the line-up, two questions reflexively spring to my thoughts. One: that’s a complete lotta Hum. And two: the roles, largely of fine however traumatised ladies, are positively meaty.
In Pyaar Ke Sadqay, Yumna performs Mahjabeen, who’s the very definition of the phrase ingénue — a school-going, smart-alecky, loud-mouth misfit who has been failing in her research. In Raaz-e-Ulfat, she is Mushk, a easy woman from a harshly conservative household. Within the critically acclaimed, award-winning, Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila, she is the perpetually scared Sila who’s sexually preyed on by an elder within the household (the sensible Noman Ejaz, hamming it up, inside constraints). In Inkaar, she is Hajra, a sombre college pupil who shuns the romantic curiosity of 1 man (Sami Khan), however falls in love with a deranged one (Imran Ashraf). In Ishq Zahe Naseeb, she is Sameera, the vengeful figment of Sameer’s (Zahid Ahmed) creativeness — and the supply that incites his break up character. In Zara Yaad Kar, she is Uzma, the unwaveringly devoted lady in love with a good-natured man whose spouse (Sana Javed) is a carefree spitfire.
“I actually never want to have any controversies. Never want to have any affairs. I don’t want my personal life to be highlighted that way. I just want to be known for my work. I deliberately keep myself under control.”
As we speak, I discover that Yumna refers to her characters by identify — virtually as if they’re an extension of her.
“I always knew that I wanted to do something different, but I had no idea that I could act the way I do, or that the story would revolve round my characters.”
Making her debut in a small position in Ameen Iqbal’s serial Thakkan (2012), she knew even then that it might be a protracted, arduous journey.
“My brother once told me that the path to glory is very long and difficult, so I knew I wouldn’t get fame just like that from my first or second serial. It’s been eight years since I started working,” she continues, “and I solely acquired my first award in my seventh yr as an actress [Dar Si Jaati Hai Sila, Hum Awards].
“I’ve always relied on myself, [but more than that] I have faith in Allah. He is the only one who gives me the power to perform in front of the camera. I’m not a very confident person,” she provides. Contemplating the sheer variance in performances, it’s arduous for me to consider this — as is the truth that she’s not a skilled actress.
“I’ve never prepared too much for my scenes,” she confides. “Thankfully, the roles I get have enough margin, so that I get to live their lives in their skin for the briefest time when I’m acting. In those moments, I tell myself that I’m Hajra or Mahjabeen, and not Yumna.”
Bouncing performances off veterans Noman Ejaz, Saba Hameed, Saba Qamar (“these actors are masters of their craft,” she says), or getting directed by the skilled Kashif Nisar and Farooq Rind, additionally helps I’m certain.
Even once we veer off subject, our dialog retains returning to her profession — as if that’s what really issues to her at this level. Figuring out her producers, administrators and co-actors, I haven’t heard something tantalising about her. I bear in mind, in a single assembly, a director who usually casts Yumna sang praises about how she may pull off something, and is a gem to work with. Aside from that, he had nothing so as to add. Her work ethics appear to be a aware choice.
Pakistani cinema wants loads of work, and never everyone seems to be able to doing films, she factors out. “Barray parday ka kaam barray parday jaisa hona chahiye [Big screen work should look the part],” she says.
“I actually never want to have any controversies. Never want to have any affairs. I don’t want my personal life to be highlighted that way. I just want to be known for my work. I deliberately keep myself under control,” she clarifies. “I’m not judging people. Everyone has their own way of projecting themselves,” she provides in the identical prepare of thought.
“I hardly socialise or have any friends in the industry. I rarely attend any gatherings. I have a very small social circle. On my sets, I hardly talk to people or take pictures with them, or actively giggle or laugh with people.” But, for some unusual cause, folks inform her their inner-most secrets and techniques, she claims. She simply has that approachable character, she says.
“I feel that my pace [of getting noticed] has always been slower than others. But as slow as it is, it has always been strong — and I know how strong it will continue to be in the future. I’m sure that the path I’ve made for myself is so resilient that it will not break when I walk on it.”
Talking of profession paths, Yumna is a darling of the Hum Community. Is there any specific cause for selecting to work with one community over others?
“I started off with ARY, then Geo. Hum was the third channel I worked for,” she clarifies. Hum, nonetheless, offers her extra selection in roles and off-beat matters, she says.
“They’ve always picked me to play characters that are different [than the norm]. That’s not to say that the dramas I’m doing for other networks are of any lesser quality,” she says, defending her physique of labor.
“Raaz-e-Ulfat, which is an aam larrki ki kahani [a typical girl’s story] with a robust message, is getting fairly excessive scores. Compared, my position in Pyaar Ke Sadqay could be very experimental, however has additionally acquired a lot acclaim.”
Pyaar Ke Sadqay was initially arrange some place else earlier than getting picked up by Moomal Productions and Hum. Yumna, nonetheless, was connected with the serial from the time it was pitched. It was too good of a task to move on, she says.
“School age, school age hoti hai [School age is school age after all],” she continues, which means that taking part in a personality of school-going age could be very totally different from taking part in mature characters, the pitch of pleasure in her voice escalating. “Wearing a uniform and braids, and pulling off the look, is very challenging.”
The position got here to her instantly after her ominous flip in Ishq Zahe Naseeb.
“Throughout Pyaar Ke Sadqay, I used to be not in a state the place I might be completely happy doing comedy on set,” she says. It had solely been a month-and-a-half since her father had handed away, when the present went into manufacturing.
“I used to move away from the set and cry, and then overcome my emotions and come back to play Mahjabeen,” she tells me. “The pain doesn’t go away, but playing such a lively character took me out of my moments of grief.”
Director Farooq Rind stored the ambiance as mild and witty as potential… till one other tragedy struck the units. His spouse, who was affected by most cancers, handed away within the later phases of the manufacturing.
“Backstories, even from seemingly happy productions, are quite different,” Yumna sighs. Life is merciless, however Yumna’s not letting it get to her. There’s simply a lot to perform — not that she’s in a rush, thoughts you.
Being away from Pakistan helps her unwind. When not appearing, she’s a thinker and a dreamer. She writes poetry, generally makes a video, and shares it with household.
Doing two to 3 serials per yr, Yumna is fortunately sticking to tv in the meanwhile. Pakistani cinema wants loads of work, and never everyone seems to be able to doing films, she factors out. “Barray parday ka kaam barray parday jaisa hona chahiye [Big screen work should look the part],” she says.
Though she has no desire, every time she will get a movie position, an “(achhi, pyaari, romantic si movie [a good, sweet romantic film]” wouldn’t be a foul begin, she says. As I used to be saying to start with, that may be… candy.
Initially printed in Daybreak, ICON, July fifth, 2020