Minna Tariq wants to carve an identity beyond Rubina Ashraf's daughter

Actor talks acting debut in 'Ruswai', nepotism and her mother's legacy

KARACHI:

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Ruswai was one of the most defining serials to air in 2020. The show starred Sana Javed, Mikaal Zulfikar, Simi Raheal and Syed Muhammad Ahmed in pivotal roles. It revolved around honour killing and gang-rape, which garnered rave reviews from audience and critics alike.

As much as the stellar cast did justice to the Rubina Ashraf directorial, the audience was left in absolute awe by newcomers Osama Tahir and Minna Tariq. The latter left a lasting effect on the viewers as her portrayal of Warda in the show. We sat down with the starlet and had a chat on her debut, the possibilities, and hindrances of being the daughter of the amazing Rubina Ashraf.

Minna Tariq. PHOTO: SYEDA SAMAN ANJUM

The Express Tribune (ET): Your first project, Ruswai, garnered rave reviews. The show tackled a very important issue in Pakistan. Why go for something as serious as that for a debut?

Minna Tariq (MT): To be honest, I was the lucky one who was selected or you can say given the opportunity to play Warda and then, of course, Rubina Ashraf was the director so I was in safe hands. I couldn’t have asked for a better debut.

ET: You held your own as Warda in a star-studded show. How was the experience? How did you prep for the role?

MT: The experience was beyond my imagination, such amazing and down to earth actors who held my hand and helped me throughout. And whereas prepping was concerned, my mother made sure I read the script so many times that every situation which had to be performed was on my fingertips and that's exactly what I did.

Minna Tariq. PHOTO: SYEDA SAMAN ANJUM

ET: There's much chatter on how Pakistani dramas only highlight a certain storyline. Do you think Ruswai managed to break that barrier?

MT: Of course, we really need that. The reason is that our audiences see different ways on how to deal with situations, we usually get to see unusual stories but with Ruswai we saw an angle which could be possibly be happening around us. The way the writer layered each situation and character was the game-changer here.

ET: Being Rubina Ashraf's daughter, there have to be certain expectations from you. Do you think this is nerve-wracking? Especially with the nepotism debate going on these days.

MT: I agree being a star kid we might get it easy the first time but trust me if we don't have the capability, we won't make it ahead. These days production companies exactly know who to invest in and being a star kid can't back that up for long. So, we have to prove that same credibility ourselves.

ET: Rubina Ashraf's iconic role in Pas-e-Aina in the 90s was a game-changer for the female protagonists. What do you have to say about it?

MT: I'm quite short of words when I talk about Pas-e-Aina. It was one of those shows that changed the game for female protagonists in Pakistani shows. It was also a game-changer for my mother. I remember how mesmerised I was by the costume and the fake gadgets she had. It is unfortunate that we don't have such content anymore, I can recall some stories my mother would tell me after doing that show and always wondered how it was like working in those days. You could say that was a source of inspiration.

ET: Recently, your family was going through a tough time due to your mother contracting the coronavirus. There were so many rumours, fake news. How did you deal with that?

MT: Social media will always play a role in our life but how big or small that depends on us. One thing I realised when my mother was sick that journalism in Pakistan can go to any extent. People will create rumours just to get likes and following. I don’t blame those people since they want to earn a living but at the same time, it’s difficult for the family that is already going through so much. Keeping all that aside my mother has actually fought back of critical four weeks on Covid in a hospital. It was her well-wishers and her fans who prayed for her.

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