Stars unite to celebrate Sonya Hussyn's global success

Actors, producers and industry leaders hail her Best Actress Award in Moscow

KARACHI:

Actor Sonya Hussyn received another major recognition as the Pakistan Business Club Forum honoured her for her contributions to cinema and her recent international achievements at an even that brought together leading figures in entertainment industry, business and the media.

The ceremony in Karachi was hosted by actor and comedian Yasir Hussain, who kept the evening lively with his trademark humour and energetic stage presence. Sonya attended the event accompanied by her mother and other family members, who proudly supported her.

Colleagues praised Sonya for her dedication, versatility and consistency, noting that her recent global accolades have helped elevate Pakistan's cultural profile on the world stage.

Several artists highlighted that Sonya's achievements — particularly her award wins abroad — that reflect the growing reach of the Pakistani cinema and the increasing appreciation of local talent internationally.

"When our film 'Love Guru' was released, 'Deemak' was a horror film of a completely different genre. But a lot of people watched it and liked it immensely,"superstar Humayun Saeed said. "When a good film comes out, strong performances from actors are extremely important. And not only Sonya — the entire cast delivered."

Host Yasir Hussain then asked Humayun, "Don't you think Sonya has opened a gateway to the Russian market? Should we take our films there? Like when Indian cinema went there during the Raj Kapoor era — shouldn't our films also go with translations?"

Humayun responded, "Of course they should, and not just to Russia - everywhere. Russia is very important, but so is China. Our films should go to festivals there, and they already do. I once went with 'Punjab Nahi Jaungi' and won an award. But for the first time, I've seen a Pakistani actress win in Russia. Our films and dramas should be dubbed in Russian and shown there."

Sonya Hussyn recently secured another major international honour after winning the Best Actress Award at a prestigious film festival in Russia. This marks her third global accolade, following earlier wins in China and Malaysia.

She is now only the second Pakistani actor to receive this recognition — the first being legendary screen icon Sabiha Khanum — placing her among an elite group of artists acknowledged on the global stage.

Following her return to Pakistan, a star-studded celebration in her honour was attended by leading entertainment personalities. The evening quickly turned into a festive gathering marked by applause, tributes and emotional exchanges.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Sonya said she approaches each character with sincerity and hard work. "Global appreciation for Pakistani films is a victory for our entire industry," she said.

Reflecting on the success of her films 'Deemak' and 'Love Guru', she said both belonged to different genres yet resonated strongly with audiences. "We never imagined that a non-commercial film like 'Deemak' would become such a massive hit," she continued.

"It ran house full in Karachi for two weeks — people even travelled from Bahria to watch it," she said, adding that the revival of Pakistani cinema depends on consistent film production and sustained box-office numbers.

Recalling the moment when her name was announced in Russia, she said, "I had chills. Hearing the word 'Pakistan' filled my heart with pride. I will never forget that moment."

Sonya explained that 'Deemak' explores generational trauma, a theme that audiences connected with deeply. "Working with legends like Samina Ahmed, Faisal Qureshi, Bushra Ansari and Javed Sheikh is always pressure — but also a priceless learning experience," she said.

The event was attended by Humayun Saeed, Yasir Hussain, Yashma Gill, YBQ, Adnan Siddiqui, MQM-P leader Farooq Sattar, Dr Junaid Ali Shah, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, along with members of Sonya's family and several well-known artists.

The guests praised her commitment, discipline and distinct acting style. Artists described her international win as a moment of collective pride. "We have a small industry and we're working very hard to develop it. Sonya is one of the people contributing to this progress," Siddiqui said.

"This honour does not belong to her alone — it belongs to all of us. We are as happy as she is. May God bless her with more success," he added.

Looking ahead, Sonya said she believes the industry is entering a promising phase. "Year 2025 was already a strong year for Pakistani cinema, and 2026 looks even brighter," she said. "My upcoming film with legendary Shan will be released on Eid — it's a full-fledged commercial film and I'm very excited."

The award-winning actor urged the government to continue supporting the industry through funding, better infrastructure and stable policy frameworks.