Kinza Hashmi says she still does not feel she has 'made it' after 12 years in entertainment industry

Actor opens up about fear of criticism, constant struggle for relevance

Actor Kinza Hashmi in a recent interview reflected on her career, gaining attention for candid remarks about choosing personal peace and meaningful work over fame.

Kinza discussed her 12-year journey in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, sharing her perspective on success, criticism, and staying true to herself. Regarding fame, Kinza said she has never wanted to be part of a competitive race for success. “I don’t want to be part of any race. I do projects that feel right in my heart and I don’t want any negative attention," she said.

The actor admitted that she often feels hesitant taking on controversial roles or even giving interviews because of the fear of criticism and public backlash. “People in Pakistan love you, but if you do or say one thing wrong, they will not accept that,” she said.

Kinza also reflected on her career, saying that despite spending over a decade in the industry, she still does not feel she has fully “made it." “I feel every day is a struggle. One project is done, another struggle and a new script begins. It is constant. You can never feel successful in Pakistan or feel that you have made it as a star. Maybe you can be in Bollywood or Hollywood,” the actor stated.

She further revealed that her interest in entertainment originally began through singing rather than acting. “When I was in school, my teacher used to tell me my voice is really nice. From there, my friends in school and my mother encouraged me to start but then I got offered a drama. Acting started, but occasionally I also did singing projects, and then I did a song with Ali Raza,” Kinza shared.

She explained that while singing remains close to her heart, she now sees it more as a hobby than a professional path.

 

 

 

 

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Opening up about the realities of the entertainment industry, Kinza stressed that success does not automatically make life easier. “You don’t get everything handed to you on a plate. It does not mean that if one project does well, everything becomes easy. Like I said before, it is a constant struggle,” she explained.

Discussing opportunities for newcomers in the industry, Kinza said there is always room for fresh talent but stressed that consistency is what helps actors stay relevant. “There are not that many actors that there is no space for new ones, but people are forgettable. You have to remain constant or, if you take a break, people will forget you,” the actor said.

Further, she spoke about how industry has evolved over the years, noting that social media and online trolling have made the environment more intense for actors.

“When I started, I was learning and it was a bit easier. There were fewer views coming from YouTube and less trolling. People used to watch for entertainment,” the actor noted. She added, “But now I find this time different. You have to understand how to perform. You are having discussions on the scripts and trying to understand the characters."

Talking about her latest drama Leader, in which she plays Rubab, the daughter of a wealthy politician, Kinza shared how deeply she worked on understanding her character’s emotional journey. “I thought about the character’s journey a lot — where she starts and where she ends,” she said, adding that people really praised her acting in the role.

"I think when you understand your character well, you understand what emotions to bring out so that each scene feels different,” she added.

Recalling one particularly emotional sequence, she revealed that it took her two days to perfect a crying scene because she wanted to portray the emotions realistically. “It took me two days to get that crying scene right because I tried to understand what Rubab was feeling and the authority she carried. I try to think realistically — if someone was shot in front of me, I would not immediately cry, I would first be scared,” she explained.

Through the interview, Kinza offered an honest look into the pressures of the entertainment industry while emphasising the importance of staying grounded, consistent, and emotionally connected to the work she chooses.