Srha Asghar longs for 'unconventional' drama roles

Actress set to appear in upcoming Express Entertainment drama 'Ikhtiyar'

KARACHI:

Pakistani actor Srha Asghar wants to see more variety in the roles offered to women on television, and says she is particularly interested in playing a character that is sporty, active and driven by something beyond the usual domestic conflicts.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Asghar, who will appear as Zoya in the Upcoming Express Entertainment drama Ikhtiyar, said she does not have a fixed formula for choosing projects. Instead, she believes that interesting characters often find their way to her.

"I think roles choose me," she said. "A character comes and it is very different, and I really like it. Then I do it. Of course, sometimes you like a character but your dates do not match, so that happens too."

In Ikhtiyar, Asghar plays Zoya, a bubbly and carefree woman who approaches life with excitement and seemingly little anxiety. Describing her character, she said Zoya is "here and there and everywhere" and has a solution for almost every situation.

Despite the character's cheerful personality, Asghar admits that she does not completely resemble Zoya.

"I am jolly, but I panic in situations," she said. "Zoya does not panic at all. She has a solution for everything."

While Asghar has already taken on challenging roles during her career, she says she would like to explore characters that demand even more from her as an actor. For her, a strong character should not simply be defined by whether it is a protagonist or antagonist. It should have an identity and a life of its own.

"I would like more challenging characters to come," she said. "There should be something in his or her life. There should be a hobby too, not just a story of a room."

That desire for variety is also behind her interest in playing a sporty character something she has not yet explored on screen.

"I haven't done anything sporty," Asghar said. "So this is for them. If there is any sporty character, i will do it."

Her comments point towards a larger challenge faced by actors working in television, where female characters are frequently written around family disputes, relationships and domestic struggles. Asghar appears keen to move beyond that familiar territory and explore characters whose personalities are defined by interests, ambitions and activities outside the central storyline.

Away from the screen, Asghar has also developed a strong social media presence. She frequently shares light-hearted videos, including content featuring her husband. However, she says there is no elaborate strategy behind the couple's online presence.

"When I am at home from the shoot, I am very free, so we make videos," she said.