After three years: Sanam Baloch to make acting comeback as Marium Mukhtar in short film

Actor-host to play PAF fighter pilot Marium Mukhtar in short film

ISLAMABAD: After three years of being part of the quotidian world of morning shows, actor-host Sanam Baloch is finally all stipulated for resurgence. Having made her debut as a talk show host on a Sindhi channel, followed by a shot as Shahla in Doraha, and spectacular work in Daastan, Durr-e-Shehwar, and Kankar, one can clearly see how she has evolved. Baloch is now set to make an appearance in an upcoming short film with a powerful role.

To employ a cliché, we’ve seen Baloch grow from a hatchling to a swan. Her last serial Kankar was on aired in 2013. When asked if she was unable to find a good script in a span of these three years, she said, “There are good dramas being aired these days but there are not much of them as they used to be. I’ve gone through a lot of scripts in this time but there was nothing that really appealed to me.”

When she had been presented the scripts for Daastan and Durr-e-Shahwar, she was excited about the projects because Baloch felt the connection. Not only did she act in the serials, she got so involved that she also ended up assisting with the screenplay.

Despite the brassy work that speaks volumes about her talent, Baloch still feels nervous, every time she steps on sets. One would think the actor is teeming with confidence by now, having made numerous television appearances. “I’m very nervous. I’m always nervous about every project I sign. I always leave my work to the Almighty with a prayer that he’ll look into it,” she explained.



She went on to share her apprehensions for role in the upcoming silver screen project. “This time I’m extra nervous since it’s going to be my appearance after so long. This particular short film is going to be very challenging for me. I’ll have to live the life of someone extraordinary.”

Directed by Sarmad Khoosat and written by Umera Ahmed, the short film pays homage to Marium Mukhtar, the first woman fighter pilot of Pakistan to die in the line of duty. “When I came to know it’s about Marium Mukhtar and I had to portray her, I decided I have to do it no matter what, although I was in talks with someone else as well for July,” said Sanam, unable to conceal her excitement.

While many actors in the industry lament the scarcity of good roles, Baloch is among those whose phones just don’t stop ringing. The strenuous schedule of her morning shows rein her back for signing an acting assignment, be it a television serial or a film. “Due to the tight schedule, it gets pretty hard for me to sign any serial or anything,” explained the actor. “A few days back, Fahad Mustafa announced on his show that we both are doing a serial together. Although he has announced, but I’m pretty worried how I’m going to manage it all. Sometimes it’s extremely stressful and tiring for me.” Fans in Pakistan may shower her with their love, but it doesn’t come to a surprise that she has a massive fan following on the other side of the border as well and Vidya Balan is one of her admirers.

The Parineeta star recently showed her appreciation for Sanam’s work on Twitter. “I was indeed honoured,” exclaimed Sanam. “Who doesn’t like being praised for the hard work they’ve done? She is such a versatile actor. If it would’ve been someone else, I would’ve still been happy, but then again it was Vidya Balan and that charm was altogether something else for me,” she said, adding, “It takes a lot of courage to praise someone; it is not easy to get appreciation in this industry, especially by bigger names. It’s a very nice gesture from her side.”

Sanam feels a certain break is always important in one’s career, to keep the charm alive. “Isn’t it good if people are waiting eagerly to see you? They get bored sometimes seeing the same faces, on every channel — in every drama serial,” she revealed. “I think a break is pretty important. I have a couple of offers but I would not like to delve much into it. Let’s see how things work out.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th, 2016.

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