My daughters-in-law get all the freedom because my sons are enough punishment for them: Asma Abbas

Veteran actor on career, losing her sister and surviving in a completely new world

Veteran actor Asma Abbas is a multi-talented woman who has managed to create a niche for herself over the years. Apart from being an actor, she’s also an entrepreneur; the mastermind behind Asma Abbas Designs, which offers clothes, jewellery and all things creative. Sister to the evergreen Bushra Ansari, Abbas claimed that things just naturally fell in place for the two of them, and somehow, by chance or by chance, the sisters inherited their mother’s artistic soul.

In conversation with a local magazine, the Ranjha Ranjha Kardi actor sat down for a no-filter interview where she spoke about her brand, acting and current dramas on air, how she deals with loss and grief and her opinions on raising daughters and daughters in-laws in a completely different world to which she grew up in.

Sisters for life

“There’s a six-year gap in between us and Bushra started acting very early in her life. She’s taught me a lot and I've picked up so much from her lifestyle,” said Abbas. “She’s gifted in comedy and she’s fortunate enough to get such versatile roles. I tell her the pitiful dupatta wearing roles don’t suit her, they’re for me. She nails the saree wearing smart modern roles.”

Abbas broke down during the interview while talking about her sisters and the pain they’ve endured over the years. “Four of us were extremely close. We’d laugh from our hearts. I still watch a segment from Nida Yasir’s old show where all four of us are sitting and laughing. We don’t laugh like that anymore. That happiness is gone.”

Abbas lost her elder sister, Sumbul Shahid and her nephew in the past years. “When my dad died, we were prepared. My mom is sick right now, almost in a coma but she’s 92 and we’re prepared for the death to come. It’ll be devastating but we’re prepared. However, those two incidents broke us. It’s very difficult to live, to love, to breathe now.”

From mother to mother-in-law

Having said that, Abbas shared that her strength is her daughter, Zara Noor. “We pamper each other a lot. We’re close to a level where we’re best of friends and dependent on each other. Zara is old now but she still needs me. That’s how mother and daughters should be now, not how they show on television.”

Of daughters-in-law and having a growing family now, Abbas shared that she likes to give her daughter-in-laws the same respect and freedom that she allowed her own daughter. “My sons are enough punishment for them, I do not want to be an added torture. One of my sons, Asad, is a little ‘shohar’ type. When we went to Malaysia, my daughter-in-law was hesitant to wear dresses and stuff, but I told her to wear whatever she likes. We, as older women, should open our hearts for the young kids our sons bring in the family.”

Changing gears

Since Abbas started her clothing line recently, she decided to render a tribute to fellow female actors of the film industry by naming each clothing item in an actor’s name. The shalwar kurta she was wearing in the interview is called 'Zeba digital printed dupatta suit', she said. “Young people do not know of the Pakistani film industry nowadays. What achievements were made during that time cannot be matched now, and hence at least this way, they remember the names of some legendary actors of my time.”

The GT Road actor’s love for the industry doesn’t die here only. “My jewellery is named after television actors, likewise. I’m wearing a 'Rubina' right now,’ she said as she pointed toward the colourful beaded necklace she wore. On how the nomenclature came into place for her brand, she said that she just looks at an article and knows which actor’s personality it goes with.

“There’s a white elephant one I have that looks extremely sad to me, and so I named it Ruhi Bano. Another one I have has hanging elephant white stones lined with extremely colourful beads named after Bushra baji. There are two Aqeeqs I have and they’re enchanting and hence, I named them after Samina Peerzada and Atiqa Odho.” Abbas plans to introduce yet another line of clothing under her brand which will be named after all musicians of her time.

Another thing that most people do not know about Abbas is that her social media handles are managed by an Indian fan named Sunika Bhardwaj, whom she has never met. “ I love talking to people so much that it upsets me when I realise I won’t see them again. Sunika contacted me in DMs 2-to 3 times and just stayed. She didn’t want to stop talking. She’s such a pure soul, she’d ask me to send her videos of some songs or short clips from BTS of plays and I ended up sending them after a while. She would edit, add music, make it better and ask me to upload it. I didn’t know how to do all of that.”

Surprised by the love she received from across the border, Abbas suggested Sunika take on the responsibility of managing her accounts. “She even created my YouTube channel. I recently got a silver badge, didn't even know its significance and so we all laughed about it. Sunika and I speak in Punjabi and she gets me like no one else. If my mood is off, she’ll know by the tone of my voice. I wish I could get a glimpse of her once in this life at least."

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