If you are single, you are an easier target: Ayesha Omar

Actor-model Ayesha Omar on public scrutiny, upcoming TV, film and music projects

LAHORE: Of late, Ayesha Omar has had to decline lucrative film and TV serial offers but is now, slowly but surely, returning to the fore. The actor met with a car accident on Karachi Super Highway almost a year ago and has been lying low since then, not having fully recovered from the unfortunate incident. The break from work, however, has given the actor-singer quality time to ponder over her career.

Omar has a bubbly and effervescent personality, with her most noteworthy on screen persona being Khoobsurat from Bulbulay. Therefore, it’s not surprising that most television and film producers continue to offer her roles in a similar vein.

“I’ve done a lot of sitcoms so people think I’m very good at comedy. I’m always offered characters that are centered on a girl coming home from abroad and being very carefree,” she shared. With her upcoming film Yalghaar, in which she plays a victim of terrorism, Omar hopes to break this mold.

Yalghaar was meant to be Omar’s film debut but Karachi Se Lahore saw the light of day much earlier. Before watching the latter, people thought the film was going to be her breakthrough sensual performance. While her revealing ghagra choli titillated social media, there was nothing too racy about the video. The “item song,” which was a last minute addition to the film, had lyrics that said, Bari tutti frutti hoon mein, bari cutie beauty hoon mein and only strengthened the stereotype.



“A character I really want to play is one that displays the internal struggles one goes through. External experiences shape your life but we don’t discuss how introspective elements affect people. Someone who is outwardly fine but fighting something internally,” she added. Omar herself grew up with a single parent, and then ended up living alone from a young age. “I began working in an industry where women are disrespected, not because they deserve it but because bad precedents have been set.”

Things have obviously become a lot smoother for the now well-known actor but she shares, her first acting experience was far from that. “When I was a young girl, people judged me immediately. With my first serial production, the crew was extremely rude and I got very offended, the incident left me traumatised. They don’t think actors have any morals because they think shareef girls sit at home and get married. So it’s difficult to fight that notion and get respect,” claimed Omar. “When actors are married, they are given a certain degree of respect but if you’re single, you’re an easier target.” She feels the industry has become better because of social media as anything can be exposed now and so people are more careful of their actions.

Omar will be hosting the upcoming Hum Style Awards later this month and is a nominee as well. She is also considering a couple of forthcoming serials with roles she hopes will push women empowerment. “A lot of our projects have been about women being suppressed but I think empowerment needs to be shown as well.”

Out of her countless projects, Omar is most excited about her soon-to-air web-based health show. “We have a lot of shows on food shortcuts, processed food but there is nothing on living a healthy lifestyle.” The actor revealed that she will also be doing an interview-based show being directed by well-known director-producer Mehreen Jabbar. “It will not be your typical interview show and will cater to real issues. I want to inspire people and deal with real feelings.”

Omar disclosed a Bulbulay film is also on the cards but still has to be worked on. “Bulbulay the movie would do well because the whole nation watches it. I am also working on an album with my producer Faisal Rafi.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2016.

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