I have two mothers; we were quite close'

Yashma Gill talks family, fears and morals when it comes to work

In a recent chat on Zabardast with Wasi Shah, Yashma Gill opened up about the stories behind her on-screen persona, offering a peek into her life off-camera. The conversation revealed a lot about the actor's upbringing, her fearless approach to life's challenges, and her firm stance on the kind of stories she believes should (and shouldn't) be told on television.

Yashma's story begins with her unique family setup—one that's a bit more intricate than most. Growing up, she didn't just have one mother but two, thanks to her father's two marriages. This meant her family was large, lively, and, at times, a little complicated. But rather than creating distance, these two households managed to stay connected in ways that deeply influenced the Khel actor's life. Despite the inevitable challenges of such a dynamic, she shared how both of her mothers played significant roles in her upbringing, providing her with love and support that she carries with her to this day. "I have a huge family. I have two mothers, so we're a lot of siblings," she said, reflecting on the bond that persisted even after the passing of her elder mother two years ago. "I will say we were close. Towards the last few years of my elder mother's life, my mother and her were quite close."

The fear factor

But family isn't the only thing that's shaped her outlook on life. When it comes to facing fears, Yashma doesn't shy away. With a background in psychology, she's learned that sometimes the best way to overcome fear is to meet it head-on—even if it means enlisting a little help from friends. Yashma shared a story that perfectly captures this mindset, recounting the time she decided to tackle her fear of cliff diving. "I was so scared that I asked my friend to hold my hand and jump with me. He jumped but I was too scared and somehow released my hand from his grip. Then I turned to my other friend and gave him consent to push me."

Morals above all else

However, it's not just about personal fears for the Azmaish actor. She's also deeply concerned with the messages conveyed through her work. This was never more evident than when she was handed a script that called for her character—an antagonist—to end her story with suicide. Yashma was clear that this was something she couldn't support. "When I read the script, the ending hadn't been decided. In the middle of shooting, I got to know that my character, an antagonistic character, was supposed to commit suicide. So, I told them that I don't think I want to be endorsing suicide on television. There are a lot of susceptible minds watching these dramas and if you're victim to anxiety, depression, or negative thoughts, it can be dangerous to watch that."

Yashma's refusal to take on a role that would depict suicide wasn't just a professional decision; it was a moral one. She believes that even characters who've made mistakes should be given a chance to learn and grow—because in real life, there's always hope for change. "If a person is a bad person, you can give them a learning from the drama that yes, they've done bad things, but they've also learnt from it, and they can change. But the answer is never suicide. I couldn't take that on my conscience."