'He damaged my career'

Actor Resham accuses director Syed Noor of nepotism

Screen veteran Resham may not have been in as many films as she or her fans would have expected, and in her eyes, the blame for this lies with one person alone: director Syed Noor.

"He's the one who stopped giving me work," lamented the Sangam star in conversation with Ahmad Ali Butt on his podcast. "He's the one who brought me into this industry, and I'll always be grateful for it, but he's also the one who kicked me out of it."

Resham's name will be familiar to anyone who enjoyed Pakistani film and television from the nineties. After appearing in minor television roles, the actor made her film debut in Jeeva in 1995, and went on to bag a role in a string of Lollywood films, including Ghunghat (1996), Dupatta Jal Raha Hai (1998) and Pal Do Pal (1999). However, according to Resham, her career began to suffer once director Noor got married.

"He was the only one who understood my temperament and acting style, but once [his wife] Saima entered the picture, he would cast only her in films," recalled Resham. "He's the one who brought me into this industry, and ultimately he was the reason I stopped getting roles. I heard him say that I am 'unlucky' and take on only bad movies, but you tell me - is there anyone among us who has done only 'good' films? We've all taken on all types of work."

According to Resham, an industry steeped in favouritism is the real reason only low-budget roles became available to her. "He [Noor] would embarrass me on set, and wouldn't give me the roles I deserved," she revealed. "He says I shot myself in the foot, but actually, he was the one who shot me in the foot. He was the only director who understood me and my temperament, but then he was the one who prevented me getting good roles. He damaged me and he damaged my career."

As good quality roles began to dry up, Resham recalled fearing that she would never be able to do what she loved. "I had this urge for acting, and it wasn't being satisfied with the work I was getting," she said.

The actor credited her sister for helping get her back on track. "My sister said to me, 'Why are you worried? Forget it.'"

Taking her advice, Resham returned to television to fulfil her acting ambition. "You can't deny that I can act," she insisted.