Hani Taha discusses scrapped subplot in 'Aik Mohabbat Aur', details early struggles in industry

Actor Hani Taha, in an interview, discussed the making of the drama Aik Mohabbat Aur, in which she stars alongside Ahad Raza Mir and Maya Ali, touching on last-minute script changes and the changes from script to screen.

Explaining how much a script can change once it reaches the set, Hani stated, "The whole point of having a really good director and a really good actor is that you improvise together," adding that not everything written on paper survives to be shown on screen.

Hani revealed that an early draft of the script for Aik Mohabbat Aur took a very different direction for one of the characters, who was written to influence a male lead. The actor shared that Qudsiya Ali's character, Maham, was initially written to develop feelings for Mir's character, Haroon. The inspiration for this, she said, was traced by the team to "a very bad Indian drama." 

Although Hani noted that the subplot was eventually removed "very rightfully, because it would have taken away from the whole story," she stated that it ultimately was "such an irresponsible thing."

Further, she discussed viewers' criticism regarding a particular scene involving her character, saying that she stood by the director's call. "I am a director's actor. I completely trust the director. And I completely trusted him with it," Hani said.

She added that art remained open to interpretation. "It's up to people if someone liked or disliked it. I honestly did not think there was anything wrong with that shot. Otherwise, I would have addressed it at that time that this is not right," she said.

Moving to discuss the broader entertainment industry, the actor pushed back against the idea that Pakistan lacked skilled crew. "There are so many film schools in our country, so you can't say that there is no talent. People know. People are dying for opportunities," Hani said.

Regarding her own journey in the field, she shared the setbacks that came with being a struggling actor, recalling that she lost a project opposite Saba Qamar early in her career. "This happens a lot, unfortunately, in business. I cried a lot; I was very young," Hani shared.

She also described the uncertainty actors often faced even after they signed the relevant contracts. "We even talk about the contract sometimes; the contract is signed, and then they say sorry to you. Or you go on set, you've shot for two days, then the director says, I don't understand this," the actor said, describing delays she faced early in her career.

Further, Hani also discussed the responsibility that came with the job. She noted, "The job of an artist is to reform society, and we should do something that has a positive impact on society."

Hani, who started as a filmmaker and documentarian, worked with the BBC and Al Jazeera. She also collaborated closely with Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy before transitioning to acting. She appeared in the film Motorcycle Girl and the short In a Hail of Broken Glass, before moving into television with Saraab and Neem. Hani later featured in Mian Biwi Bachon Samait and Meri Zindagi Hai Tu.