I am open to working in Indian films, not television: Sanam Saeed

Celebrated Pakistani star Sanam Saeed, who has been lauded by the audience here and across the border for her praiseworthy portrayal of fearless Kashaf in Fawad Khan-starrer Zindagi Gulzar Hai, is all set to return to the small screen with ZEE5 original Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam.

The actor, who has worked with who's who of the Pakistani entertainment industry, has now shared that she is open to the idea of starring in Indian films too. Saeed hopes to share screen space with Bollywood star Aamir Khan.

During the virtual trailer launch of Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam, the Daam star commented, “I am open to working in Indian films, not television. I prefer TV on this side of the border. There are so many genres of films I want to work in, so many actors I would like to collaborate with.” She added, “But to start with, Aamir Khan is someone I would like to work with.”

Talking about the popularity of Pakistani content on OTT in India, the Cake actor went on, “We know how India is, we have watched their films. But they didn’t know how we look and what our lives are like. So it was eye-opening for them. We look the same, eat the same food, we are practically brothers and sisters.”

She added, “They now know that Pakistanis look like us, have the same kind of hair, talk like us, talk a little better in Urdu. OTT platforms have given us that freedom, where the bans and politics are all set aside, and we can reach the Indian audience through our shows and the response has been overwhelming.”

Sanam Saeed also mentioned that her role in Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam’is very different from the kind of person she is in real life.

“I don’t get angry very easily in real life. But when I am playing a character, we have to bring in those emotions. The beauty of being an actor is being able to express myself through my characters. I’m not a femme fatale at all in real life, I am a very simple girl, but that’s the role I was playing in this show,” she said. "Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is a show full of courage, sassiness and power. It was a delight to work on this show which tells the stories of strong and fearless women who go to any extent to get what they desire.”

A desi noir anthology, the ZEE5 original is directed by critically acclaimed British Indian director Meenu Gaur. The series features an eclectic cast comprisingSamiya Mumtaz, Sanam Saeed, Sarwat Gilani, Mehar Bano, Faiza Gillani, Beo Raana Zafar, Eman Suleman, Ahsan Khan, Osman Khalid Butt, Sheheryar Munawar and Saleem Mairaj. The upcoming series is a compilation of six stories of seven women who wrestle back control and redefine the word femme fatale.

Written by Farjad Nabi and Gaur, Qatil Haseenaon Ke Naam is set in the timeless lanes of Androon Sheher - a mythical neighbourhood and showcases stories of love, lust, power, and redemption woven in a web of betrayal, angst, and revenge. Each story from the anthology depicts the fearlessness of women and their determination to avenge deceit. At the core of the stories are mystery, suspense, intrigue with twist endings. It will start streaming from December 10.

Saeed will also be seen in Usman Mukhtar, Adnan Siddiqui's upcoming project Umro Ayyar.

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