Pakistan is usually depicted in a very negative light: Ayesha Omar

The actor talked about her recent film and how she promises to change narratives with her upcoming work

In a candid conversation with the Independent Urdu, Ayesha Omar highlighted the importance of different characters in a film. She talked at length about her character, a journalist, in the Dhai Chaal film and how and why she took it. She further touched upon the villain role and explained how the antagonist plays an important role in a drama or film– integral to the whole story. 

Omar was confident that through her film the message of Pakistan would be conveyed. When asked about her intention to play the role of a journalist in Dhai Chaal she said, “It’s a character, and playing every character is enjoyable. There shouldn’t be any justification for not going for it. I have been a journalist in the past myself…I used to do live morning shows in the past which were both entertainment and infotainment. The character was interesting.”

The Money Back Guarantee actor further added, “When I was approached for this character, I thought back then that working in Quetta, Balochistan, would be greatly pleasing and it will be a different experience, so I intended to do it.”

When questioned how she was convinced to take the role of a journalist she explained, “The way I was convinced was really great and then I realised that the producer’s passion and intention is pure and he is determined and is going to do something new.”

She went on, “I have this thing in me that I actually help those people who are adamant on expanding horizons and experimenting with something new. Some actors prefer doing work with big banners and they are justified because you know that work is done professionally and in an organized way and ends timely. 

Omar then commented, “But when you are doing work with a new production team you don’t know what lies ahead. You know, sometimes things stop…funds are exhausted. Unforeseen things come in - that is risk. But since I have remained a risk taker in everything in my life, you people know, and risk-taking is in my DNA I said let’s do it. And it was a great experience to be a part of it.” 

The conversation turned towards Omar's inspiration for taking up the journalist character, and a question was posed to her as to whether she took on this character after observing other journalists, to which she answered, “Not really, I do observe every female journalist. So, not really.”

Optimistic about the film’s bewitching power she said, “The film’s story is so powerful, so strong, and so honest that there should be a massive viewership of it.” Concerned about the negative portrayal of Pakistan in the media and foreign film industries, she said, “I believe that truth should be brought forward. We are depicted in a very negative way in different industries and cinemas.”

Omar asserted, “It is very important to tell our truth to the people. Not only our narrative is shown wrongly but of Muslims as well. So, it is necessary to give a counternarrative and you leave it to the people, who according to their knowledge and research, will uncover the real narrative.”

Inquired if she would like to play the role of a villain in the future, she said, “I think antagonists/negative are more powerful and, in a way, integral and important for any story. So, I would love to play negative characters also.”

Engaging a question about Bulbulay, she responded, “We had no idea how long this project will go, but it is such a huge thing – a record-breaking project. My suggestion to Nabeel was to bring back the kids to the project.”

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