The quintessential heroine

If there is any showbiz star in Pakistan whose name is on the tips of everyone's fingers, it is Mahira Khan. A firm favourite with fans and co-stars alike, here is an actor who has floated through the industry with grace, whether it is nabbing a leading role at home or in Bollywood, navigating life as a single mother, or finding love again. With the approach of a milestone fortieth birthday, the Maula Jatt star sat down for a heart-to-heart interview with the BBC Asian network, spilling her thoughts on navigating past traumas, her pride in her son, and what the next year has in store for her.

"People aren't comfortable talking about their birthdays," muses Mahira as the subject of her fortieth rears its head. "I don't know why. I've always been comfortable talking about things like how old I am, whether I'm married, or have a child, or that I've got divorced, or been a single mother, or that I'm married again. If I can't be honest about the basic things, then I'm not me!"

On the impact of stardom

Starting her career as a VJ and having morphed into one of the highest-ticket items the entertainment industry has to offer, Mahira's humility shines through as she reflects on her career trajectory and the impact it has had.

"When I started off, everything was a first," she recalls. "I suppose I was the quintessential heroine, but now it's just so amazing to see with young actors, it's like there are insane opportunities. There are so many people watching our dramas. The opportunities are amazing. I don't know if I am one of the people who opened those doors – I was put in that position."

Propping up Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum star Hania Aamir as an example of someone who seizes opportunities, Mahira adds, "Hania is doing so well. She's free-spirited, unapologetic – whatever she wants to do, she does. And everyone is talented. Look around in the Pakistani drama industry. We are a talented bunch of people! It's about opportunity and what you're blessed with. And maybe before me, those opportunities didn't happen."

The star is adamant that whatever impact she may inadvertently have on the acting landscape in the country, two things at her core have kept her grounded. "I was very mindful about representing my country when I was, say, a Pakistani going to Cannes or Paris Fashion Week," she reflects. "And also, I knew that I could not lose myself while doing that."

Learning how to be happy

Mahira may not have lost herself, but she had to endure the public deterioration of her marriage in a culture where being a divorced single mother is still taboo. Despite her personal struggles, she cannot quite believe her good fortune at having landed the career she has.

"I smile the way I do because I can't thank God enough that I come to work and do something I love," she says with fervour. "When I am on set, I am the happiest girl in the world."

Mahira hastily adds that her happiness would not be complete without her family and friends – all of whom she has known since childhood. "I don't have a friend circle in the industry," she confides. "It's when I'm working that I get to know all the gossip. Otherwise, I'm in my own world because my friends are also my childhood friends. We are all literally 'chaddi buddies' – first grade, second grade, college, this, that – that has been one of my biggest saviours."

It is not just Mahira's grounded roots that have set her apart, but her dog-like insistence on always radiating goodness. "I would never say anything bad about anyone. When I see success, I make sure I congratulate it. If your drama is doing well, I will be front and centre. I do it because I wish people had done that for me," she says.

Love and marriage

Mahira can be held up as a beacon for finding love again, and she credits it to herself being picky about who to spend the rest of her life with. "I'm so blessed," she admits. "Thank God I didn't fall for anyone else! Thank God I was a snob about who I wanted in my life! I fell in love with Saleem for the man he is. He is not perfect, I am not perfect, but I'm proud of the man he is and I'm proud of being his wife."

Pictures of Mahira in her ice-blue wedding dress with her son walking her down the aisle to her now-husband will live rent-free in the minds of her fans, even if Mahira has since removed those photos from her social media. She succumbs to tears as she recalls her teenage son Azlan being such a key part of that day.

"It was as if God put it all together and blessed me and said here, this is for the good that you've done," she says. "I swear, I was constantly saying alhamdulillah. I had always imagined my life to be me and Azlan and to be honest, even now, it is me and him, but yes, there are other people in that dynamic now. I was very proud of my child that day. I wanted him to walk me down the aisle. So he did!"

Work and inspiration

Not only does Mahira have the distinction of being amongst the first Pakistani actors cast opposite Bollywood king Shah Rukh Khan, she has also been publicly linked to Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic Netflix production Heeramandi – and finally opens up about what-could-have-been.

"I had a photo shoot and everything, and there are even pictures of me in two jhoomers!" She laughs at the memory. "Sanjay and I spoke lots about Heeramandi, and he was very excited about it – but it couldn't happen for political reasons."

Coming up next year, Mahira assures fans that they will be able to see her in the upcoming Netflix show Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo with its ensemble cast, along with Love Guru with Humayun Saeed and Neelofar with Nadeem Baig. As for which celebrities inspire her in this tightly-packed schedule? Mahira does not have to think long for the answer.

"I'm addicted to [Steven Bartlett's podcast] Diary of a CEO!" she admits immediately. "And I love Trevor Noah. I hope I meet him one day. Those are the kinds of stories that inspire others. Every single person has a story. People always ask me, 'Why do you talk to everybody?' It's because everybody is so interesting!"