Ainy Jaffri and the road less travelled

Model, actor opens up on upcoming film ‘Balu Mahi’, future roadmap

LAHORE:

When it comes to her career choices, model and actor Ainy Jaffri has been a bit of a trailblazer. While most of her contemporaries are quick to jump on the big-screen bandwagon, the Pakistani beauty has taken her own sweet time and only just decided to properly launch her film career. She will be returning to Pakistan later this month, leaving London where she has been residing ever since her wedding in 2014.

Although Ainy has been acting since 2010, she has now geared up to begin shooting for her film appearance opposite actor Osman Khalid Butt, in Haissam Hussain’s Balu Mahi. Talking to The Express Tribune, the 34-year-old discussed her unusual career trajectory which includes a variety of projects, from modelling to theatre to TV commercials. “Acting was always something I really wanted to do but didn’t push too hard for it as there was a lot of resistance,” she said. “My parents were very weary of it. They weren’t aware of how professional everything is in the industry until my aunt, Azra Mohyuddin, joined it.”





Ainy first began her career with one-off commercials which propelled her towards 2010’s Zip Bus Chup Raho. Her impressive roster of projects also includes a music video with singer-songwriter Mooroo for his song Patakhi Larki, and numerous advertisements for cosmetic giants like L’Oreal and Garnier. Ainy also had the honour of being the face of Karachi-based designer Farah Talib Aziz’s latest lawn collection. In terms of acting, she has recently completed work on a MD Productions’ serial, Silaah, alongside Farhan Saeed. “I also did a tele-film called Life Story which was directed by Aamir Yousaf and produced by Rashid Khwaja,” added Ainy. “It isn’t as big as a silver screen film since they are still introducing the genre.” The rest of the Life Story cast also includes Zeba Bakhtiyar, Sajid Hasan and Faizan Khwaja.

With such a wide variety of work under her belt, Ainy’s career is now coming full circle as she resumes formal acting – albeit for the silver screen this time. She is, admittedly, very excited to begin filming for Balu Mahi. “This will be my first feature film with a lead role. My part in Main Hoon Shahid Afridi was small and the movie was primarily about the boys and cricket,” she explained.

Ainy had been living in London ever since her wedding in 2014. PHOTO: FILE

Much of Ainy’s excitement is for the opportunity of working with Haissam and Osman, both of whom have garnered considerable appreciation for their work in Daastan and Diyar-e-Dil, respectively. The film is being produced by Sadia Jabbar of Mera Naam Yousuf Hai-fame. “Everyone is new for me so it is very exciting,” said Ainy. “My character is a very strong one, depicting the empowered woman of today. The roles of women are changing in Pakistan and she is part of that change.” Ainy will be playing a 20-something who believes in living life on her own terms — a role model for the girls of today. “There is so much that this girl gets to do that it will be an adventure for me too!” claimed Ainy, admitting that the role is quite demanding.

About living in London, Ainy said the geographical distance does hinder career progression. “Things automatically slow down when you are out of sight and out of mind. People are nervous about casting you, paying the cost of bringing you over and working out the logistics,” she said. “However, there is a way of getting around this. If you show people that you are interested, it is definitely possible to remain in the loop. Besides, I wanted something different to come along for me and it did!”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2016.

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