Hira Mani's mantra for lost roles

Hira Mani, on a podcast with Jawad Bashir, opened up about the choices she's made and how motherhood has influenced her career.

"Sometimes you see a drama or film trailer and think, 'I could have done that,'" she admits, but it's not something she dwells on. She explains how a single glance at her sleeping sons grounds her, reminding her of what truly matters.

"There's peace and comfort in my life and that is everything. Be happy with what you already have. A character can be played by almost any actor, but I am the only person who can be my sons' mother," the actor muses.

Life, as Hira describes it, has been her greatest teacher. With every step, it has shaped her into the person she is today. "Life has driven me towards becoming who I am today. Life has made me embrace even-mindedness, listening and understanding people, thinking about myself less." It's clear that she approaches her experiences with a deep sense of growth and understanding. "Life is the biggest teacher. Happiness is a practice, and whosoever is happy all the time, isn't really happy."

For the Yaqeen Ka Safar actor, true happiness isn't about chasing personal fulfilment - it's about sharing joy with others. "Happiness is something you should practice on others more than yourself," she emphasises. "For example, if someone has just won an award or their drama is doing well, there's an instant happiness in me for them."

Hira is also unflinchingly honest about her thoughts on love, debunking the cinematic fairy tale of "true love." For her, it's not love but habit that forms the foundation of her relationships. "I think true love is a concept in films. I would give my life for habit, not love. People become my habit more than love."