I’m a Pakistani first: Atiqa Odho

Television and film actor talks about ‘giving back to society’, avoiding Bollywood and much more.

KARACHI:

Atiqa Odho, whose career kick-started in 1992 with Anwar Maqsood’s TV series “Sitara aur Mehrunissa”, became a household name in Pakistan in a short span of time. After establishing herself as an actor, Odho later starred in a string of successful films, including Jo Darr Gya Woh Marr Gya, Mummy and Mujhe Chand Chahiye.

The Express Tribune sat down for a tete-a-tete with the actor, who spoke at length regarding why she is so keen on promoting a positive image of Pakistan and why she discourages Bollywood films in Pakistan.

 ‘Sitara Aur Mehrunissa’ was a TV serial that set the standards. Following that, you became a household name. Every modern woman in Pakistan wanted to be like you. How do you feel about that?

I think I’ve been very fortunate. Yes, that play was a turning point and I became a household name after that, however, invasion of privacy is something I wasn’t prepared for. Although, I’m a very reserved person, I was forced to come out in the public circle. But this is the price you have to pay and I’m not complaining. Actors are created by the public.  It’s the people who make us and we, at our end, need to give back to society.

Why did you step into Lollywood?

There’s a lot of good talent in Lollywood but there are no jobs. It is sad to see how Pakistani cinema has been marginalised. I want people to realise that wherever cinema is encouraged, a soft image of the country is promoted. Performing arts contribute to the national interest of the country and an artist is a true ambassador of the country.

Therefore, we have a double responsibility on our shoulders: to soften the image of the country, which is becoming increasingly negative and to send out a message to the world that even Pakistan has liberal people.

You could’ve also chosen Bollywood or improved plays/dramas on the small screen?

I am a Pakistani before anything else. It’s a choice I made, that I would work and live amongst my people. One must be proud of investing in his/her country.

You have consistently criticised the invasion of Bollywood films. However, Lollywood is not producing a lot of films. Don’t you think people will need some sort of cinema entertainment?

The cinema industry has suffered gravely due to years of neglect and lack of corporate support. When you produce a product, it needs financial support to be sold in the market. Sadly, many people are without jobs in Lollywood and I believe it’s our national duty to protect them.

Why do we need to project Bollywood films in Pakistan? Although I don’t shun this idea completely, I would ideally want a reciprocal relationship, that is, if we promote Bollywood films in Pakistan, India should also promote our films.

Tell us about your philanthropic activities?

I have been socially active for a long time now. I have been associated with promoting awareness of blood cancer and breast cancer. There are high incidents of breast cancer in Pakistan and I fail to understand why most women are not open about the problem; it’s not a stigma, it is nothing to be ashamed of. If detected early, there are high chances of survival; hence, I have made a tele-film called Chalo Phir Say Jee Lain to highlight this issue.

More recently, I have been busy in Jacobabad with health camps facilitating people who have Hepatitis B.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2011.