Trolls are just nameless, faceless people who are too bored: Mahira Khan

It seems like there is just now stopping Mahira Khan. As though Pakistan and India were not enough for the superstar, she is now making headlines in the UK as well and was recently honoured with an award for ‘contribution to films and activism’ there. Also, her latest offering Verna was screened at the women-centric event. Needless to say, Mahira is hot property.

But that comes with its fair share of problems. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, the Pakistani starlet has opened up on how she handles trolls, harassment and generally, being in the public eye at all times. She also shed some light on playing Khirad  in Humsafar and her upcoming film Maula Jatt.

"The harassment issue is not just in Pakistan, it is a global epidemic. How I see these trolls, and by the way I think trolling is so last year, it's so passe," Mahira said. "People need to go get on with the trend. They need to use their voice for something positive."

PHOTO: VOGUE INDIA

But that doesn't mean Mahira overlooks those who troll her. "Trolling is last year but it is still there. It still exists," she continued. "I deal with it all the time. But I then realise that these are nameless, faceless people who are bored, just sitting and talking about things," added the Bol star. "The more I feed them, the more they will grow. If you think I'm right or wrong, that is your opinion, I'll do what I have to do."

Mahira continued, "I was telling a journalist the other day that it becomes difficult at times. She asked if it is easier to deal with social stigmas since I'm successful? And I said, 'If on film doesn't do well, all the things you wore on your shirt as badges - like yes, I am divorced and yes, I am a single mother - suddenly turn around and become negative'."

PHOTO: MAHIRA KHAN/INSTAGRAM

Mahira rose to fame after the drama serial Humsafar became a blockbuster. Ironically, her character Khirad is now being termed as regressive and not feminist. But to the Raees actor, people don't fully understand what the term feminism means.

"I disagree with this. Completely," said Mahira."I think this is ill-informed. You have to watch it and then tell me, did you find Khirad regressive? Because I didn't."

Mahira confessed she was in awe of her character when she read the Farhat Ishtiaq novel Humsafar was based on. "It's easier to say these things to be a part of the bandwagon that agrees that women on TV are regressive," said the beauty, adding that she finds male characters more regressive in Pakistani serials.

PHOTO: MAHIRA KHAN/INSTAGRAM

Mahira's upcoming star-studded project, Maula Jatt reunites the starlet with her Humsafar co-star Fawad Khan.

"It's such an interesting project and I'm so happy that I did it! I don't know how it's going to fair, I don't know what going to happen, but I'm so glad I took this challenge up," she shared. "Punjabi has such flair! I can't explain it."

Mahira revealed that all her co-stars in the film excel at the language, especially Hamza Ali Abbasi, who stars as Maula Jatt's nemesis Noori Nath.

PHOTO: LUX SCREENGRAB

"I used to call Hamza up and ask him to come an hour early, because he is really, really good with Punjabi. Fawad hails from Lahore, so he is familiar with the dialect. Well, he's better than me," said the Verna actor.

Maula Jutt will mark reunite Pakistani showbiz's 'it' couple but Mahira says Fawad and her question if they will still have that Humsafar charisma?

"There's one thing about me and Fawad," began Mahira. "There are days when we don't really talk to each other on sets all day, but the moment we come on a scene together, we sort of know each other's beats, which is lovely! It's amazing that someone gets you and you get that person without really talking, you know."

Watch her full interview here:


We hope to see this on-screen couple sizzling once again soon!

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