Women enjoy a lot of privileges: Yumna Zaidi talks ‘Nayab’, marriage, sportsmanship

In an exclusive interview with Fuchsia Magazine, the cast of Nayab - Yumna Zaidi, Usama Khan, and Fawad Khan - dove into the intricacies of their roles, the dynamics on set, and the empowering themes woven into the storyline.

When discussing the on-screen chemistry between Yumna and Fawad, who play Nayab and Akber, the duo unveiled the secret behind their natural rapport. Yumna shared, "I feel like he's a great theatre actor. and we had reading sessions. He was in character from day one. It would seem very authentic, so, for me, it was quite easy to catch up, and create chemistry.”

She added, “I was so comfortable working with him. The bond between Nayab and Akber relied on that." Fawad added, "The shoot was very positive for everyone. From her side, being a star, she was not a star on set. Very much there, down-to-earth."

Usama touched upon the role reversal element in the storyline, where he becomes the "eye candy". He shared, "We'll see, I've seen while dubbing. But it was good." When asked why he agreed to do the role, he revealed, "The main reason, I say this openly, was Yumna. Secondly, the story. The story is great. It's about women's empowerment. I think such stories should be made. The best part is that the pillars behind a journey have been showcased. A woman is working hard, and the financially and emotionally supportive factors have also been shown. It's very realistic."

Yumna's portrayal of a cricketer in the drama required intense physical training. Usama shared humorous anecdotes from the set, recounting Yumna showcasing her newly acquired cricket skills. "For me, [the training] was extreme, because I'm not attuned to physical fitness and this sport is quite challenging," Yumna remarked, opening up. "[It demands a balance in] your body, diet, sleep, mental peace. I learned a lot during that two-month training period, and I began respecting female and male cricketers a lot more."

She continued, "You begin with a struggle when you're playing street cricket, and those young men and women don't have resources. Some are from well-off families, others [are not]. They don't have the resources to maintain their diet in a perfect that will allow them to run fast or maintain their energy. For women, travelling on bikes, scooters, in buses.  I spoke to some cricketers, they would have one meal the whole day, because of fewer resources. Despite all that, you're getting somewhere, [chasing] your dreams. So hats off to them." 

The star added with a laugh, "It was quite challenging for me because I used muscles I've never used before...After training, I'd be doing breakfast and while holding the fork, my hand would keep shaking...I couldn't hold my mobile phone properly. But you learn through your struggles." She also praised her team, saying, "I feel I'm privileged to work with this team, production house, director, and the entire cast. The script is definitely a big thing for me because we have great talent in Pakistan. If that comes to you, you must proceed with caution and care."

The cast also discussed the high costs associated with sports, from expensive equipment to the emotional and financial struggles faced by aspiring athletes. Usama highlighted, "You spend your whole life doing one thing, and if, in the end, you get nothing, then what will you think?" 

Yumna, on the other hand, passionately urged support for athletes representing Pakistan on the international stage, recognising the emotional connection people have with such endeavours. "There is a struggle, a lack of resources," she admitted. "But, if you're representing your country on an international level and it's all you have to do, you should give it your everything. Because there are very few platforms where you can represent Pakistan internationally. It's connected with people's emotions. After seeing this, I'd say to all sportsmen: you cannot fall short...Give it your all. No excuses."

Yumna also highlighted the impact the script had on her, making her tear up while she was wearing lenses, despite her aversion to crying in front of others. "This is something that, for our family system, for our dreams, for our Pakistan, is incredibly well-written," she asserted. 

The team also discussed how the patriarchy harms men, with Fawad shedding light on how patriarchal structures are oppressive for both men and women, thereby preventing them from reaching their full potential. Usama spoke about how a lot of actors in Karachi aren't from the city. He narrated his own tale, where he'd come to Karachi and had nothing to do. His family would keep calling him back. 

However, he added that for people in Karachi, the pressure would be right at home, with fathers telling sons that if they can't make it, they should start working, often to the point where the men in question would get disheartened and give up. Yumna added, "Women enjoy a lot of privileges, and we do have those, from an Islamic point-of-view. Respect, too. But earning is not necessary for women. For men to go out, work - it's a huge mental pressure, which is not acknowledged,"

As a message to the youth, Yumna said, "The word 'impossible' doesn't exist in my dictionary. My approach is that whatever it may be, you can do it all. God has made the human mind and body in such an amazing way. We've actually pampered it quite a lot. There are many things - your sixth sense, brain, heart, physical strength. Nothing is impossible." She added that whatever one's dreams may be, one should never stop, especially because of what others say.

She also admitted that, at one point, there was familial pressure in terms of marriage. However, her family knew what her goals were. "They supported me," the star shared. She added how they're very conscious about who she ends up with, with her brother taking on a more protective role.

Usama, on the other hand, shared how, when one is younger, there is a desire to get married, because no such guidance about goal-setting exists. "You must do something, life has other goals. You'll get married, get stuck, and then think eight years down the line about what you've done. Get settled, then do whatever you want."

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