Putting the spotlight on Maha Khaan

Model takes brief hiatus after 10 years as she ties the knot and moves to Islamabad

KARACHI:

Models often face the conundrum that taking a hiatus would mean a dwindling career. The expectations placed on them and pressure to remain in the spotlight in an industry rife with competition is often unnerving. But that is not a deterrent for Maha aka Mehreen Kanwal, who has not been as frequent a sight on the ramp as she was up until a few months ago. Now Maha Khaan, the recently wedded model tells The Express Tribune about why she has been away from the scene and why she willfully keeps media attention at bay.

“I am media shy and not in the spotlight often these days. Besides, I try to avoid giving interviews in general because I am not a talkative person,” she says as she breaks the ice. The Karachi-based model got married to a businessman eight months ago and has since moved to Islamabad. After spending a decade in the industry, she felt now was the time to settle down and focus on family life. “If you see my face less on the catwalk, it’s because I have now shifted to Islamabad, where shows are not as frequent as they are in Karachi, which is a known fashion hub,” she shares.



As for her absence from the latest Fashion Pakistan Week (FPW), she cites a personal incident as why she could not be seen on the ramp. “I have been doing fashion and bridal weeks for quite a few years, but I missed FPW due to a tragedy in my family.” Having been among the recurrent faces both in print and on the runway, Maha takes modelling as a serious profession and one that one can mint money in.



On what medium she prefers and why, she says, “I find television commercial shoots so much fun. There is a whole theme to follow in them. Also, the money is good.” She goes on to say, “Print is okay but I enjoy walking the ramp the most … [I sign up for it] if I am promised to be paid well in return.” But professionalism, she feels, remains key to making it big in the industry, something she feels lacks now as compared to when she started off.



“Back then, models were extremely professional and would be unified in their efforts to work hard. I wonder what the new lot focuses on,” she states. “When I started off in 2006, I used to ask my seniors to help me learn the tricks of the trade. I was eager to learn the basics from choreographer Imran Kureshi and models Vaneeza and Iraj. Now, the chaska for the young girls is to become supermodels without learning the nitty-gritties of the business.”

Of the new wave of models, she feels a handful are sure to rule the roost this year. “I find three Karachi-based models, Areeba, Abeer and Iqra, to be the most promising for the year. They are punctual, professional and willing to take up a challenge,” she says. Although currently on a break, Maha plans on sticking to modelling as her career choice and has no intention of foraying into films anytime soon. “You think I never tried acting? I tried but failed. Also, I am often told I am ‘modelling material’ so I will continue with my career on the catwalk.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2016.

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