I am with Pathaan: Mahira Khan wants an honest person to lead Pakistan

Mahira Khan and host Anwar Maqsood had a heart-to-heart conversation on Sunday at the Arts Council of Pakistan. The evening was full of witty exchanges on politics, The Legend of Maula Jatt and the importance of financial independence for women in Pakistan.

During the talk, Anwar took his chance to ask Mahira about her political affiliations. After asking three times, the starlet finally responded, "I'm with Pathaan." She then talked about the need for an honest leader in Pakistan. "Honesty is in scarcity in the present times. Honesty is important in work, and relationships, and at this point, I would love to see someone elected who is honest, no matter the political party."

Hearing Mahira's stance, the popular screenwriter said, "See, Quaid e-Azam was also an honest man but passed away within a year of his regime. Imran is also honest and has been alive for the past three years, and is still thriving. Just the way a single fish can pollute the entire river, the same way an honest man can change the nation. It takes more than one man to change the whole system."

He further elaborated on his viewpoint, "Everyone wants to go abroad, wants their children to study abroad and even get their treatments from foreign countries; we know all this can't be done honestly. Let's forget about dishonesty, that's present in flourishing nations too, it's not just about honest leaders."

Switching the hot seat, Mahira then asked Anwar what he would do if he became the leader of Pakistan one day. "I will forgive all the dishonest people," he remarked. "I will free them. There are 23 million people in Pakistan, if this nation becomes Riyasat-i-Madina then 19 million would have their hands amputated. If this country becomes the old Riyasat-i-Madina, then we're doomed, and if we become a newer version of it, then a plague will be upon us."

Social media trolls

The Raees actor also highlighted the rampant spread of false news and information online. "When I look at the news, it's so difficult to gauge what is true and false," she said.

Mahira also explained why she stopped using social media and sharing her views bluntly on social media platforms. "There was a time when I wrote extremely emotional rants online and then I stopped. People threaten, and abuse so much on these social media platforms, and many of the insults are addressed to your parents, and children too."

She asked Anwar, "Someone once asked me, 'Why do I try to engage in intellectual conversations when my job is just to entertain people?' Do you think actors should be a part of this dialogue?"

"Yes, if they are speaking the truth, then why not?" replied Sitara Aur Mehrunissa writer. "The thing is Mahira, the people who criticise are the most afraid of them all. I would advise to not reply to every single subject."

Mahira suggested that only verified accounts should be permitted online. "Most of the critics and trolls are anonymous, so they know saying anything won't tarnish their respect or image. If everyone on social media was verified then everyone would think of their respect first," she shared.

Mukho and The Legend of Maula Jatt

"The Legend of Maula Jatt is most likely the best technical film in Pakistan. However, I just have one issue, when Fawad Khan is playing Maula Jatt, he's performing well according to the role, but when he's in any romantic scene with you, he turns back into Fawad," commented Anwar, continuing their banter.

"I think I'll have to ask Fawad, maybe I have such an effect on people that they forget the characters they're playing. But I stay Mukho," responded Mahira.

The host then took a jibe at Mahira's role as Mukho. "Sorry to say, but throughout the film, Mukho looks like a girl from Lucknow, which one of the outfits you wore were Punjabi?" Catching onto the remark, the Humsafar actor answered, "If I'm being honest, maybe I was hired due to the pairing with Fawad Khan. But, I did try my best to act and speak like a Punjabi."

Speaking about the box office success of The Legend of Maula Jatt, Anwar asked Mahira about her earnings. "We really didn't get that much, but some films like this one are done for token money!" she chuckled.

Financial independence and marriage

"After ten long years, I've decided to write a script for television. The name would be, Pabandi (Restrictions). It would be about how many restrictions are put up against women in their offices, in their households, and even after their marriages," revealed the Fifty Fifty screenwriter.

"It's a very realistic story," commented Mahira, while Anwar added, "Many women have to face many limitations, especially if they're not educated."

Mahira also explained how financial independence plays a significant role in providing women freedom. "For me, it's more than education. Whenever I go to lectures like this, a common question is asked to me, 'What advise would you want to give your fellow women?' To that, I reflect on my own life and realise that if I wasn't financially independent, I wouldn't have been able to make so many difficult choices. I know so many educated women, who can't get out of horrible marriages due to their dependence on their partners for money.

Always a Shah Rukh Khan fan

"Shah Rukh Khan was the hero of my time and I was in love with him and used to think about working with him. It was a dream of mine that I never knew would be completed. The fact that I got to it was amazing," detailed Mahira about her journey of filming Raees with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.

Before concluding, the Superstar actor revealed an interesting memory about Shah Rukh and her nose. "When I joined the industry, many people advised me to fix my nose, and I said, No! If I cut my nose off, then what's left? But I'm being serious once Shah Rukh Khan and I were doing a scene and he said, 'Look Look, this is the war of noses!'"

She further added, "He was so sweet to everyone around him, from the spot boy to other employees. It was him that inspired me to be humble no wonder how big a star you are, always be modest. Even in Pakistan, actors like Bushra Ansari are the same."

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