“Everyone’s got the spark of God in them — it may be a candle, torch or a spotlight, depending on how we channel it,” says Sadia Hyat Khan, Canadian-Pakistani professional actor, anchorperson, TV host, philanthropist, environmentalist and sage.
She started out during the rigors of A levels; got a photo shoot with Khawar Riaz and compiled a portfolio with Ather Shehzad. “These guys are the rock stars of Pakistan fashion. They really encouraged me,” says Khan. Soon after she was spotted by noted actor and director Usman Peerzada and got the lead in the 1998 PTV show “Miss Why”. Her career surged and Khan later honed her skills further at the Vancouver Film School and the William Davies Centre for Acting. In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, Khan talks about her TV roles, spiritualism and winning the PTV National Award for Acting 2011.
It’s important to mention that Khan picks up on auras best described as golden and magnetic, appropriate for a Leo with a Scorpio rising – a potent and charismatic combination. It’s the sort of rare and energising presence that catches laureate actor Sir Ben Kingsley off guard, which is what happened when Khan met him while on a film school field trip to the set of Isabel Coixet’s Elegy, starring Kingsley and Penelope Cruz.
So, what did he say?
Khan: Most of our group ran up to him. I shied and hung back. He called out to me, said, ‘Why are you behind the camera? You should be in front of it’. It was such a great affirmation!
Fantastic. He probably dug your aura. And on that note, what’s your brand of spirituality?
Khan: My spirituality is very important to me; it determines the way I live. It goes beyond religion. There’s a bit of God, Allah, in each of us — a spark waiting to be used. I believe in the One creator of all.
How does it trickle into your career?
Khan: I’ve always had faith in my spirituality and myself; this has allowed to me get over tons of on-set hurdles and hardships. It makes me strong. The world of acting, especially in Pakistan, is a difficult place for a woman as many here associate the profession with a specific ‘class’ of people. They don’t think it’s ‘decent’ or ‘professional’.
There are echoes of a similar struggle in the 2010 PTV serial “Tinkay”. What was the experience like?
Khan: Shakila Bibi has been my most memorable role yet. I’ve volunteered with Unicef and Amnesty International, Canada. I’ve seen people in pain and have always wanted to change this. Shakila Bibi, married so young and wanting nothing more than to learn English, to educate herself, she endures so much hardship to fight against injustice, to fight for her rights. I want her story to encourage women to stand up against violence and injustice.
You received an acting award for Shakila Bibi. How did it feel?
Khan: Honestly, it was surreal. I’m dedicating it to all the Shakila Bibis of the world who have the guts to speak up and fend for themselves. The award has made me feel that I was doing my job well, that I was doing everything to nurture and challenge my God-given spark of creativity and my love of acting.
New doors continue to open for the young star on the rise: next up is her foray into production management and a plan to start her own production house.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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Sadia,,,wat a lovely article being a canadian pakistani myself I've been following u in the media light for a while ..just ignore phlegmatic comments from people like Mj and….. nadia i totally agree with u…
its very clear that God yearns for us way more than we yearn for Him…God desires to dwell within us and it's so simple to understand .. So in this sense, to seek Allah within our own selves, within our own depths, is to seek God where God most wants to be found…close t us in our heart and mind…..and i don't think that was a toughy to understand @ mj….
@ MJ..if u don;t know or understand the inner meaning or depth of something as simple as this just because of your own clouded judgement of it then thats ur problem…
@sadia ….beauty with brains..this statement dwells in u homegirl!!! can;t wait to hear and read more stuff Huggz
Sadia is megical!!!I knw it.The will knw it too.We are proud of sweet sadia.
you are a good person larkee.... :)
Sadia congratulations on your PTV award. I'm so happy for you. MashAllah. And you're so right there is a bit of Allah in all of us. It's how we channel things that differ. xo
@ Nadia: I could not have said it better! Your intellect, balanced approach and priceless honesty, is commendable. Bless you...and thanks, i'm humbled by your kind words. If i can make an iota of a positive change in our country and world at large....my job is done.Do add me on facebook : sadiahyat @ gmail.com. Glow on.
@Mj: Dude, were you dropped on the head as a child?
"It is perfectly reasonable for me to assert that not every one believes in God or specifically Allah, and that a Christian, Hindu, follower of Zoroaster, or even an atheist would agree with the point I made." -- this is a very Prima Facie (OH LOOK AT ME, I CAN CHURN OUT LATIN PHRASES TOO!) and literal reading into what Sadia said. It also discounts what she said following.
"There is a bit of God, Allah, in all of us." This is something SHE believes; In this instance, God may be delineated as 'Allah' but is qualified later with 'I believe int he one-creator...and so forth,' MEANING (I can't believe I'm doing this but It's pseudo-intellectual brain farts like yours that really put me on edge), she believes that God, Allah, (as a unifying, all encompassing entity, under whose aegis all religions/belief-systems operate) lies within the core of humanity.
So please, do us all a favor and save your litanies for people who might be insipid enough to hear you out.
@Sadia: You're an unbelievable asset to womankind and our growing film industry. Thanks for being awesome.
wow! Sadia dear, I am so proud of you. You are a very talented girl and deserve all the accolades. Well done. Wish you best of luck and more success. Will see you soon to celebrate your success.
@ MJ : Hv read your detailed reponse. However, in no part of the article hv i asked you or anyone else to feel the same way as i do...have i? its my opinion and thats why as i am interviewed, i have shared my point of view. In no way hv i claimed any religious argument. U may or may not agree, that is ur choice my friend. As for Jesus? Hindus? Buddhists? Zorastrians? and so forth...they hv every right to proclaim their own beliefs. Allah is for "me" the greatest creator and i do know his light shines in some form or the other in the entire universe. U dont have to agree...but remember i have a right to my opinions as u have to yours. Lets end this here on a positive note. TC
@Sidrah: ": I really don’t think she’s discriminating against other divinities and has said nothing to that extent" Nor did I claim such a thing. Perhaps you are trying to find another meaning when there is none?
"I’d like to point out you’ve made an incoherent and equally ‘broad’ observation."
My statement is logical and factual. In light of statement made by Ms. Sadia who I have much respect for, It is perfectly reasonable for me to assert that not every one believes in God or specifically Allah, and that a Christian, Hindu, follower of Zoroaster, or even an atheist would agree with the point I made.
"Then again, it really isn’t your fault: cogent reading and comprehension skills just aren’t available to everyone."
Ad Hominem. Apart from attacking my learning or lack thereof, and belliteling my understanding, your scathing remark does little or rather nothing to raise an argument.
@sadia hyat khan: I'm afraid that you have misjudged my intentions. I only wished to correct the generalization you made. I have said nothing against your beliefs.
You said, "“There’s a bit of God, Allah, in each of us “, or to simplify it further, " I feel the presence of X, therefore everyone feels the same!"
If in similar vein I claimed that 'I feel an innate connection with Jesus or Flying Spaghetti Monster or some other diety, therefore I claim that everyone one us does the same"
Make no mistake. It is a generalization and I would be glad if someone pointed out the logical fallacy contained therein, rather than feeling (unjustifiably, in your case and Sidra's) slighted.
" Allah is the greatest creator and lives within all"
That may very well be true for you and perhaps all Muslims. That was the only point I was trying to make.
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Thank You Sidra, i appreciate your spirit and intellect. You have hit the nail on the head, if one goes out to do one's bit in creating a positive world...negativity hinders the process. MJ i am an unbiased and highly respectful of religion kinda person. Allah is the greatest creator and lives within all...just tk a peep within ..i hv not reffered to any deities...am will not offend humanity in any form. Have a blessed day!
@Mj: I really don't think she's discriminating against other divinities and has said nothing to that extent. I'd like to point out you've made an incoherent and equally 'broad' observation. Then again, it really isn't your fault: cogent reading and comprehension skills just aren't available to everyone.
Great job Sadia and congrats! Keeping fighting the good fight.
"There’s a bit of God, Allah, in each of us "
That is a very broad statement to make. Many worship other god or gods and some recognize none.