Every child brings their own luck: How childbirth and Bollywood coincided for Momal Sheikh

Actor and producer Momal Sheikh has made a name for herself in the showbiz industry in Pakistan, but said the turning point of her career came after the birth of her first-born and with the encouragement of lawyer husband Nader Nawaz. 

Appearing alongside husband Nadir as a guest on Shan e Suhoor with host Nida Yasir, Momal stated unequivocally, “The man behind all my success is not anyone in my family. It is Nader.” 

Coming from a long line of TV actors and producers, Momal struck gold with her film debut in the 2016 Bollywood romantic comedy Happy Bhag Jayegi. The call from Bollywood came when Momal was postpartum with first-born Ibrahim, and according to her, she would never have been able to land the role had Nadir not pushed her into accepting it.

“Ibrahim was only two months old, so I didn’t think I could do it, but Nader said I should absolutely do it,” recalled the Dil-e-Momin actor. 

Nader, meanwhile, took it as a sign from God that their new baby was turning their fortune around. 

“Every child brings their own luck,” he said. “I have a very strong faith, and that is what I took from it. This audition came after so long, but it only came after our baby came along. I urged Momal to go for it, and that together we would manage things at home.”

According to Momal, Nader was her lone voice of support, with her entire family being against her taking such a momentous step in her career with a small baby to tend to. However, with the director of the film insisting on only Momal for the role and Nader standing firm with his support, the decision was sealed. 

“If Nader hadn’t been there, I would never have been able to do all the things I have done in my life,” expressed Momal warmly. “Just like there is a woman behind every successful man, there is also a man behind every successful woman.”

Today, with two children in the fray, Momal credits Nader for continuing to be an involved father as he sets out an hour every day to take their son cycling after returning from a hard day’s work. 

“Of course, everything isn’t perfect – we do argue,” remarked Momal, but added, “We always have a mutual discussion and mutual understanding about every aspect of our lives. We are two people living one life. That is the bedrock of a successful marriage.” 

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