Odho's unshaken patriotism

Actor tears up talking about Pakistan's current situation

On a recent episode of Excuse Me with Ahmad Ali Butt, Atiqa Odho, who has worn many hats throughout her career - from the screen to politics and even cosmetics - reflected on her past and her enduring love for Pakistan, the country that, despite all its chaos, she simply can't quit.

"I started my professional career as a makeup artist," she revealed, a detail that may surprise some who only associate her with her acting. "It was something I was fond of as a child and when I wanted to pick it up as a profession no one supported me. They thought it was part of my childishness," she said, the frustration of those early days still evident.

But Odho knew her path. She wasn't looking to rely on anyone else's reputation to define her success. "I knew from a young age that the only way I would be happy in life is if I was earning my own money. I didn't want to be attached to anyone else's identity in my life." She wasn't content to just sit back and accept a life shaped by others - she wanted to carve out her own space, her own contribution.

A career in India

Her ambitions weren't limited to Pakistan, either. Like any artist with a hunger for growth, Odho's journey took her far and wide. "I went to Bombay with the idea that I would love to try acting there," she recounted, clearly still nostalgic for the vibrant city. "So, I went there for a week-long trip and made lots of friends that are like family to this day." For most, a visit like that could have easily translated into a permanent relocation, especially considering the opportunities she was offered. "I got lots of acting offers as well. But I felt that if I started working abroad, I'd never go back to my own country."

And therein lies the crux of her story - no matter where life led her, no matter the appeal of places like Bombay, London, or the US, home was always calling her back. "I had kids back home as well. I was never comfortable anywhere else. I left the US and London and come back. Whatever you may think of Pakistan's broken roads, or the rains, or the political situation, I get bored without these things."

Home is where the heart is

The Humsafar actor's attachment to Pakistan is as emotional as it is unyielding. The conversation took a more intense turn when she delved into her frustrations about the current state of the country, asking a question that resonates with many Pakistanis today: "Why is Pakistan standing where it is today?"

Odho's voice, usually measured and calm, began to crack with the weight of her words. "I could easily live a more secure life abroad, but I keep coming back to Pakistan. Am I crazy? It's because I love this country," she confessed, and her emotions got the better of her as she teared up. "I tear up when I think of this country. My children were born here. I'm angry and I'm upset, and I will not be apologetic about it." And she's not shy about holding people accountable for its current state. "No one has the right to do what they are doing to our country. I've spent a lifetime trying to serve this country, but I am a drop in the ocean. I'm 56 years old right now and since I was 18, I've been trying."

"Whatever I have done it's been for this country. I think everybody has brought us to where we are, not just politicians. Everybody has let us down, they have let our children down, and they have let our future generations down," she said. "I can only pray that we improve because no one is coming to save us."

Odho's patriotism is not just a hollow sentiment; it's a call to action. She's spent her career trying to uplift her country in whatever way she can, and she's not afraid to call out those who have failed it. "People have sacrificed so much for this country, have we forgotten all that? It doesn't matter if you're a civilian or otherwise, if there is no Pakistan, who will you be? You will have no identity." Her voice sharpened as she issued this stark reminder: "Wherever you go in the world, you are a second-class citizen."