I want women to be more than an item girl or a prop: Sonya Hussyn on choosing dramas over films

Actor Sonya Hussyn surprised fans with a rather different avatar this Eid with her essaying a boxer and serial killer from Lyari in her Eid film titled Daadal. The Abu Aleeha directorial saw her in braids, boxing gloves, guns and a heavy Baloch accent.

The 27-year-old actor, in a candid conversation with Independent Urdu, opened up about the process, the fear of being typecast, and her expectations from the industry.

In the world of damsels in distress and romantic stories, the host questioned why Hussyn chose a rather “horrifying” character for an Eid release. “I like doing such characters,” she said, laughing. “I think it’s a blessing that I get offered such scripts and that people think of me as someone capable of essaying such strong and brave characters. I’m only thankful for the opportunity because I yearn for it every day.”

Haya Baloch, Hussyn’s character in the film – who’s also a target killer in Daadal – plays with a gun like a pro. Upon the experience of learning how to use the gun, the actor smiled. “I had never picked up a gun before in my life but as a kid, I always wanted to learn how to use it. Luckily, I got the chance through this film. We practised a lot, and for starters, it was all about how to hold it. I didn’t even know that guns are so heavy,” she said.

“It’s fun but you shouldn’t fire and use guns. It’s a bad thing,” Hussyn added in an afterthought.

Upon why she does not do “glamorous” roles at an age where she’s young and beautiful, the actor shared that she wants a bit of both world in her acting career. “Where glamorous roles are concerned, you also see me in them. A few months ago, I did Tich Button and I had a glamorous character in it. I had makeup on, my hair was blow-dried, and I wore fitted clothes,” she stated, adding that she’d continue doing romantic roles on the side, but it is meaningful stories like Daadal that keep her in the acting business.

“In my opinion, as an artist, when you don’t do roles or scripts that fulfil your soul, there’s no point in your work, profession or career. Glamorous roles can be on the side but when you essay a character like this, then I think an artist is owning up to their responsibility,” she exclaimed.

Upon whether Hussyn saw the Priyanka Chopra starrer Mary Kom to take inspiration for her character in Daadal, she said, “I saw a lot of movies on boxers because you have to adapt a certain body language but the movie’s not exactly about that. It shows me as a boxer but that’s a side passion. I’m actually a serial killer who takes your money and then takes you to your grave.”

However, Hussyn is not afraid of being typecast regardless of what the industry seniors tell her. “When I started my career in 2014, I was offered a drama called Nazo. It was about a special child. A lot of people, including channels, told me to not start my career with it because it’ll ruin it. But I still did it, because I wanted to give that message,” she said, implying that when she can take that risk at the beginning of her career and still get commercial projects, then she’s not afraid of anything.

“I did not come to this industry to solely become a heroine. I started working to send a message across and bring a change in society. Media is a big platform and your voice has the potential to reach the masses. When you’re a good actor and you can adapt and take on different roles, then I don’t think it matters whether you do romantic or tough roles,” Hussyn added.

Speaking about how she found Lyari, the Tich Button actor shared that her misconceptions about the place disappeared once she set foot in the area. “People, including me, have a misunderstanding that Lyari isn’t safe. It isn’t like that at all. People are very welcoming there. There’s a lot of talent and passion there in a way that they receive no help from the government and yet, even in torn gloves, shoes and gear, they have the passion to do something for their country and make it proud. You won’t find that anywhere in Pakistan,” she said.

Upon getting the Balochi accent right, Hussain said that she had the support of the rapper Eva B and her acting coach Shah. “It was very hard to get the Baloch accent right but so was learning a Punjabi accent for Tich Button. When I did that, then the Lyari touch didn’t seem so impossible this time,” she said.

Since her acting debut in 2014, Hussyn has only done five films. Upon why she does not take on films and prefers dramas, the actor jibed, “You tell me, how many films even get made here?”

She continued, “Belonging to the industry, one of the main reasons for not doing enough films is because I want women to not just be used as a prop or an item girl. I want the heroine to have a well-sketched character. She should have a passion, a purpose, motivation and a goal in life like other characters. So as long as that’s not there, I don’t see a purpose. And besides, the drama industry is very big here so why not dramas?”

Concluding, the host questioned when the audience will see Hussyn in a ‘patakha’ role as opposed to one with guns in her hands. “Soon,” she said. “You’ll see me in a ‘patakha’ role next Eid. It’s a surprise for now.”

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