Aiman, Minal talk childhood stardom and the price of fame

Twin sisters share how their father got them into acting

Aiman and Minal Khan, the celebrated twin sisters of Pakistan's entertainment industry, stepped into the spotlight at the tender age of nine. Reflecting on the beginning of their careers on a podcast with Mubashir Hashmi, Aiman shared how their father played an instrumental role in setting them on the path to success.

"Our father guided and inspired us. It was actually his dream because he wanted to be an actor. But he was a policeman, so he was too busy. Then people saw something in us and said, 'Aiman and Minal should do something in this field.' It was our father's friend who got us an audition for a drama serial."

She continued to describe a father who, despite his demanding profession, ensured his daughters had every opportunity to chase a dream he once harboured himself. "Our father took us; he even told us to brush our teeth and what to wear. He took us to get our pictures taken so we could send them out. He was very much on top of it."

Minal, recalling the early days of their careers, highlighted the competitive yet affectionate bond the sisters shared. "If she landed a role or a commercial and I didn't get the same one, I would cry," said the actor gesturing to her sister. "But then our father would console me and explain that there has to be a balance." This sibling dynamic, marked by both rivalry and support, played a significant role in pushing the two to work harder.

Success and choices

The sisters' rise to stardom was not without its challenges. Aiman emphasised how fleeting success can be if not paired with smart decisions. "Some actors don't become successful even after doing several dramas. And some become a hit after only one. It all depends on what the people like. But after you're a hit, if you make bad decisions—that's your fault."

Minal, on the other hand, spoke about the responsibility that comes with having a significant social media following. "If you're an actor and your account is public on which you have a lot of followers—it's your duty to give those followers a good teaching and not to encourage them to do wrong things."

"When I think about my content, there are many things that I've turned down because I don't want to be promoting them. Simply because my followers will not like it. I read all their comments, and some people don't like a lot of things," she furthered on.

"It's very difficult to pinpoint what people want. You can post a picture of anything and say, 'It's my choice,' but then the DM that comes after about how you should have photographed it differently will not be fun."

The cost of scrutiny

As every celebrity knows too well, trying to separate your public and private life is close to impossible. And life in the public eye comes with its fair share of scrutiny and unsolicited opinions. "People don't understand that when they're simply writing, 'You've put on weight,' they don't know the reason behind it."

Aiman echoed her twin's sentiments, reminding everyone that celebrities, despite their glamorous lives, are still human. "When you're a public figure you become public property. People don't realise that you're a human being as well. But where there are a hundred mean comments, there are a thousand good ones. So, you must focus on the brighter side."

Minal further emphasised the emotional toll of online negativity. "Personal attacks shouldn't be a thing. If we're talking about bullying—you really don't know what someone is going through in life. You don't know that even though I'm sitting here all dressed up, what's going on in the back of my mind. One bad comment can ruin my entire day."