Meera: older and wiser?

LAHORE: Meera put behind the legal woes that have dogged her for over a year by celebrating her birthday.

Wearing a long pink dress with a sequinned neckline and cuffs, Meera invited media personnel to celebrate her birthday with her at a hotel in Lahore on Wednesday. Meera, whose actual name is Irtiza Rubab, appeared to be in a buoyant mood at the event. The event was also attended by people from the Pakistani film industry, including Laila, Shehzad Rafique, Amjad Farzand and Jarrar Rizvi.

Meera told reporters, “This is the second cake which I am cutting. The first one I cut with my family, but since the media is also like my family so I took an opportunity to celebrate my birthday with my friends from media too”. When asked how old she was, she first said it was not appropriate to ask women their age, but then replied, “Sweet 16”. When she was reminded that she has spent nearly 16 years in the film industry, she said, “When it comes to my experience I am 100 years old but when it comes to my age, I am young and fresh like a 16-year-old girl”.

In an interview with The Express Tribune Magazine in April, Meera said she was 26. Meera would not respond to any questions relating to her work or upcoming projects. “Oh come on, this is a joyous day. Let’s not talk about serious things today,” she replied when asked about her future plans. After cutting a cake, she thanked everyone for attending the event.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 14th, 2010.