'Baba never makes calls for us'

Pakistani actor and producer Momal Sheikh was invited as a guest to Ushna Shah's talk show After Hours, where she discussed how her journey in the entertainment industry has blossomed over the years. Belonging to a large family of actors, she has been subjected to an abundance of influence that shaped her career path to be what it is today.

Momal reminisced about growing up on film and TV sets for most of her life. Her father, renowned actor Javed Sheikh, is respected in both the Pakistani entertainment industry and the Indian one for his work ethic. "I was used to the Pakistani scene, but I was truly surprised when I went to India and everyone knew me as his daughter, as if he was as popular as Shah Rukh Khan!" she enthused.

The Kapoors of Pakistan

Due to her early exposure to the industry, the Silsilay actor mentioned having built several friendships, starkly opposed to her brother Shahzad Sheikh, who is more introverted in comparison. "You need to be on really friendly terms with Shahzad to see his jovial side," she said.

Momal further elaborated on being part of the Kapoor-adjacent family of Pakistan. "Well, if you rope in Uncle Behroze [Sabzwari] and Uncle Saleem [Sheikh] then yes, it's a pretty big connection," she admitted, breaking down her link to two cherished senior actors in the industry. "Uncle Behroze is married to my father's sister, and Uncle Saleem is a part of my paternal family."

Her dynamic upbringing enabled the amicable bearing that she sports today. "I am a bubbly, happy-go-lucky person," reiterated the 38-year-old actor. "For instance, I would just be looking around a set wondering who I should talk to. I also love coming to shows like this because I get so competitive when it comes to games."

"I never wanted to become an actor," she shockingly revealed, before adding that it was her husband Nadir who pushed her to audition eventually. "But now if you ask me, I love my work on another level, and as time progresses, my adoration deepens. Initially, however, I wanted to be a producer, so my father encouraged me to put myself through the grit of it. That's what made me appreciate every part of the process, and helped me establish close bonds with my crew."

Not once did the actor shy away from speaking about her roots. "We worked on a family-produced project, after which I told my father that I wanted something more. And Baba is not someone who makes phone calls for you. He's principled in that sense. Kapoors, nepotism, I know people say those things often. But that's not how it works for our family," she said.

Bollywood breakthrough

When asked about her experience working in Bollywood film Happy Bhag Jayegi, Momal said, "It was a fun experience because I was playing a Pakistani character, especially since they were looking for a girl whose demeanour and Urdu identified her. I can't even explain how much our language is admired there."

She revealed more insights regarding her time with her Indian coworkers, "The vanity vans and separate teams were such a culture shock to me since we're not so closed off here. One day, I'd had enough so I had our vans parked closer together and set up chairs and music, then urged everyone to join in."

Diving back into the joys of her native industry, she later mentioned, "Yaariyan is one of my most memorable projects because it is always a delight to have Muneeb Butt on set. Whenever we would get bored, we'd ask for him. He is so much fun. Although I've done two projects with him, that one was exceptionally fun."

Words of wisdom

Momal offered some wisdom to those aspiring to enter the industry. "I believe that, ultimately, our line of work is about being passionate so that your drive is never halted. For me, it's not about competing with others. For me, it's about proving myself. It's more about attaining satisfaction from my own craft by doing better and better. To do that, I have to love my work."

"Acting is a difficult job, especially if you're a parent since you have to switch from one headspace to another at the snap of your fingers. One second I'm on a call and tending to my child's problem, the next second I have a sentimental scene to shoot," the actor shared.

When asked how she tackles the strains of daily life along with those of acting, Momal simply said, "It's all about being positive. I don't let the stress get to my head, and I've had great help. I take breaks between projects to maintain work-life balance. My kids need to see that I'm present. That's important, even if they're the ones who are growing up with busier schedules."

"I am an open book. Hidden talents? I wouldn't hide any of my talents, to be honest," she said. "Fame hasn't changed me. I don't think a talent like my father can be replicated, and I'm proud of where I come from."